Morocco is the most beautiful country in the world
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Lost in Morocco | Mimi Ikonn Vlog
Marrakech is one of the most unique places I have ever been to. Walking the streets of Marrakech makes you feel like you are back in time. It’s all a bit chaotic at first and definitely overwhelming, but the more time you spend in Marrakech, the more you realise that everything here has a mystical flow, and you become part of it
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Casblanca
With a population of 3.1 million (3.85 million in the "greater Casablanca" (September 2005 census), Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It's also the biggest city in the Maghreb and the third biggest city in the entire continent of Africa. With a majority of the modern economic sector being based in the Casablanca region, and the Casablanca area being dominant in industrial and service sector activity, it is often and justifiably referred to as the economic capital, although Morocco's political capital is Rabat. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
Casablanca is the leading city hosting headquarters and main industrial facilities for the leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historic position as the main industrial zone of the country. The Port of Casablanca is considered as Morocco's chief port and as one of the largest artificial ports in the world. It is also the largest port of the Maghreb and North Africa.
Dakhla
On the edge of the Atlantic, the city of Dakhla is built on the 40 km long peninsula that forms the bay of Rio de Oro. A haven of peace between lagoon and ocean, Dakhla is 400km from the Mauritanian border and the gates of Morocco. Visit Dakhla to discover the most beautiful seascapes of southern Morocco! On your agenda: swimming and fishing, relaxing and feasting, walking and outdoor activities! A small port of simple charms, it was built in the colonial era at the mouth of Oued Eddahab, the river of gold. This pretty city was then names, Villa Cisneros. A place of cultural exchange, the city of Dakhla has definitively earned its place as a world class fishing and surfing spot.
Ifran
Ifrane is a city in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco.
Understand[edit]
Ifrane is one of the most beautiful places in Morocco, residing on the Atlas mountain with a population of rougly 13,000 people. The current Moroccan king and his projects - like the university and huge new hotel - have had a large impact on the town. However, it can not be considered a large town. The majority of the population are farmers, sheepherders, etc, and therefore live outside of the town borders.
The main language in Ifrane is Berber, but you can also hear a great deal of Arabic and French. It is home to Al-Akhawayn University, an American-style university taught in English, French, and Arabic. Nearly all university students will be able to converse fluently in English, but most of the native residents can not.
The climate is mostly cold with a beautiful clement summer, with a great deal of rain in the first few months of the year. The people are overall very friendly.
Overall, there is very little reason to specifically visit Ifrane if you're limited on time in Morocco. Unless you're a student here or a member of the king's entourage when he visits, there's not a huge amount to visit here- a carved lion, some parks, funky roofs, lots of storks, outdoorsy things, and a Sunday souq pretty much summarize the town.
Essaouira
flickr/marfis75
Essaouira is a relaxed fishing port, protected by a natural bay. It was formerly known, by the 16th century Portuguese as Mogador. The present city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century to increase trade exchanges with the European powers. Nowadays, Essaouira is renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected bay. Parasols tend to be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. The medina of Essaouira is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and wood-carving.
Rabat
As Morocco's capital, Rabat is home to the country's most important museum, the Royal Palace, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, as well as to several historical attractions. Situated right on the Atlantic Ocean, with the Bou Regreg River running to the west separating it from its sister-city of Salé, Rabat is a pretty place.
It has a much calmer atmosphere than nearby Casablanca. And for many tourists, a visit to Rabat can be a pleasant surprise and a welcome break from the hustle of other Moroccan cities. History-fiends are sure to enjoy wandering the Chellah excavation area and exploring the lovely Oudaias Kasbah.
1 Oudaias Kasbah
Rabat's Kasbah district is one of the city's top sightseeing draws. Inside the 11th century fortress walls, a tranquil and tiny neighbourhood of twisting white-and-blue lanes were built in Andalusian-style. It is a joy to visit and photograph. Also inside, on Rue el Jamma, is the Kasbah Mosque, built in 1150 and the oldest mosque in Rabat. The district has fine views over to Saléand the Atlantic Ocean.
2 Hassan Tower
Built by the Almohads, the unfinished Hassan Tower was the work of ruler Yacoub al-Mansour and would have been the minaret for his grand vision of a mosque on this site. Upon his death in 1150, construction was abandoned and this 45 m tower is all that remains of his original plan. Beautiful and intricate motifs and designs cover the tower's facade, pointing to the sumptuousness of what al-Mansour had in mind. The Hassan Tower is next door to theMausoleum of Mohamed V.
Location: Avenue Hassan II, Rabat
3 Mausoleum of Mohamed V
The glittering Mausoleum of King Mohamed V lies in state on the very place where, upon his return from exile in Madagascar, he gathered thousands of Moroccans together to thank God for giving independence to their country. The opulent tomb chamber is a showcase of Moroccan traditional design, and has a grand marble tomb and walls covered in zellige tiles. Only Muslims can visit the adjoining mosque.
4 Chellah Necropolis
The remnants of the 14th century Merinid citadel-town of Chellah are an atmospheric place. The walled ruins are positioned on an older Roman town called Sala, which archaeologists uncovered evidence of in the 1930s. Today, parts of both these settlements can be seen. Chellah thrived as a Merinid citadel in the early 14th century. The crumbled ruins of mosques and mausoleums they built here are now covered with rambling brambles, providing nesting sites for storks. The excavated Roman part of the site includes a forum, bath and temple. For a good overview of the entire Chellah ruins, an overlooking terrace provides excellent views across the site.
5 Oudaias Museum and the Andalusian Gardens
Within the Oudaias Kasbah are the lovely Andalusian Gardens, which were laid out in the early 20th century. The Oudaias Museum, set within the gardens, is housed in the opulent 17th century lodge built by Moulay Ismail as his first Rabat residence. At the far end of the lodge, a room displays an ancient Moroccan interior. Cushions in brocade, silk and gold cover the divans around the room. A little further on, there is an exhibit of ancient illuminated Qur'ans, jewellery, pottery and musical instruments.
6 Rabat Archaeology Museum
Built in 1932 and enlarged a few years later to display excavated finds, this museum is home to Morocco's best archaeological collection. The prehistoric section brings together human remains from the middle Palaeolithic period to the Neolithic, illustrating the continuity and size of the population at this time. Pre-Roman civilisations are well represented.
The Roman and Hellenistic exhibits are renowned, and the collection of bronzes is incredibly impressive. Even if you're not a museum-person, this is the one museum on your Moroccotravels that you shouldn't miss.
7 Medina
Rabat's rambling Medina area has a distinctly Andalusian style to its buildings as most of the architecture here dates from the 17th century when Muslims from Spain's Andalusia region arrived. This makes it very different to the Medina's of Fes and Marrakesh. The two best shopping streets are Souk es Sebbat and Rue Souka, and there are a number of interesting buildings within the district that make a wander here worthwhile. In particular look out for theKoubba Mosque on Rue Bou Kroun, and the Merinid Fountain and Grand Mosque both on Rue Souka. The Mellah (Jewish Quarter) is located in the southeast corner of the Medina and has an interesting flea market.
8 Royal Palace
Construction of Rabat's Royal Palace began in 1864, and a wall surrounds the sprawling building. The Fes el-Bali complex is not open to the public as the current king still uses the palace as his residence. You can get good photographs of the palace exterior from nearby the Sunna Mosque.
9 New City
Rabat's Ville Nouvelle (New City) is home to the Archaeological Museum and also the surprisingly interesting Postal Museum (on Avenue Mohamed V), which brings together a superb collection of Moroccan stamps, telephones and telegraph machines. The streets of the Ville Nouvelle host a wealth of French colonial architecture and are a pleasant place for a stroll. Right on the district's edge, Avenue Hassan II follows the 17th century Undulations Wall separating the modern city from the Medina.
10 Abul Hassan Medersa
Directly across the Bou Regreg River, facing Rabat, the town of Salé is home to several interesting medersas (madrassa - Islamic school of learning) and mausoleums. In particular, theAbul Hassan Medersa is worth a visit. It dates from the Merinid era in the 14th century and has an interior covered with beautifully restored examples of traditional religious decoration, including zellige tile-work and carved wood panels. If you climb up to the roof you can get excellent views across the water to Rabat
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is a city where different cultures and artistic traditions meet, point of departure for the oases. It stands at the crossroads between the Drâa valley which reaches as far as Agadir, the Dadès which cuts through the High Atlas and the Ziz, which feeds Tafilalet's vast stretches of palm grove before vanishing into the sands of Taouz.’
The geographical status of Ouarzazate makes of it one of the most beatiful cities in Morocco. Located in the south of Morocco and 540 kilometers from the Capital, Rabat. Ouarzazate remains the biggest attraction of the south besides Marrakech. It has been a historical melting of different populations coming from the surrounding tribes and Douars. In a military area under the control of Caid namely, Caid Hammadi El Glaoui since 1860. Ouarzazate was selected by the French colonel Spilman, who draw its plan in 1928, as a military camp annexed to Marrakech before being independent in 1934. In 1959, Ouarzazate was one of the biggest provinces after the administrative stratification in Morocco. Ouarzazate, which used to be a military basis for the French army, has inherited a French administration structure. Consequently, this heritage made of it predisposed to be a place of tourism, because of its European structure. For sure Ouarzazate has not got the historical monuments like The Oudayas or Hassan, Jamaâ El fna or Al Badî Castle or any other monuments that morocco is proud of, but as it has many large landscapes a very hospitable people. Ouarzazate is also known for its architecture, which shows the intelligence of its people art making. In fact, they use hey and mud to build houses which adopt to all types of weather, The hot one in the Summer ( up to 47C°), and in the Winter (-6C°).
Ouarzazate is a geographically rich city. Lying in the south among cities like Marrakech, Zagora, kelaat Mgouna, Tata. This city has its own characteristics. Its landscape is largely mountains, oases, deserts… Therefore, this has created problems to its population which leans on agriculture to win its living. This mountainous nature of Ouarzazate has made transportation quite difficult. Ouarzazate is also lucky to have large areas of dunes where tourists find their pleasure. However, its people suffer from the lack of green places where they can plough and exercise their agrarian culture. Being a Southern city, Ouarzazate is nearly all the Year round hot in the day and very cold in the night. People have problems to find fields to graze for their cattle, however, others consider it a blessing to have this city where excursions on the hot sand, and not very far, skiing in the snow are always a wonderful pleasure for the tourists.
A pair of magnificent Kasbahs dazzle the visitor with their beauty Taourirt, Tifoultout, Aït Ben Haddou, And many others Kasbahs. The region of Ouarzazate is very known for ‘The valley of thousands of Kasbahs. The most important one is the Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou which is located 30 kilometers from the Ouarzazate city itself. Such is the reputation of these two architectural marvels that they were chosen as locations for films such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “The Sheltering Sky”, “The rules of Engagements” and the one who took the prize for the Academic Awards in 2000 “ Gladiator”. This famous Kasbah was selected by the UNESCO and was included in the World Heritage Program.
Another landscape is ‘The road of thousands of Kasbahs’, this region is full of Kasbahs. Many of those Kasbahs have 2 centuries of their age, and still in good conditions. Those Kasbahs are highly appreciated by the tourists, because of their beauty and their structure. Gorges are also present in this region. Gorges of Todgha and gorges of Dades are the most known gorges in morocco. 0
The valley of dra, the big oases in Morocco, is also a marvelous landscape that many people found very beautiful. This valley was very known in the history as a road of gold or the road for business coming from the sub-Saharan countries. This valley is still rich of palm grove near which was the biggest river in Morocco ‘ Oued Dra’, the destruction of this river was caused by the construction of the dam in Ouarzazate.
As explained before, transportations is quite hard in a mount and a plain of sand in a city like Ouarzazate. The residences of this city used to ride mules or horses to get to weekly markets namely Souks to buy all their needs. After independence, the country started building roads. This eased the tasks of Ouarzazate people. Now, inside the city all means of transportations are used except for the train and the maritime kind of transportations. The most newest kind of transportations is the Airplane. A daily link with Casablanca is available in the international Airport of Ouarzazate. Another link with the Europe is also available through Ouarzazate – Paris line. Yet as deep as you go in the city, rural areas still depend heavily on donkeys and mules to transport their food or baggage, especially in the old Jewish neighborhood. The main kind of transportations is buses and cups are available all the time and for all the destinations, even for to European destinations.
The history of the economy of Ouarzazate was started with the visit of the king Hassan II in 1961. The construction of Al Mansour Ed-Dahbi dam had an effect on the economy of the whole region. The building of others projects was very helpful for the development of the city. The most important one was the building of the airport which encourages the investors to invest in this city. High rated hotels began to be built in the new part of the city, but the most important investment was the building of The Atlas Corporation Studios at 7 Km from the city. The Atlas Corporation Studios was built in 1983 by a Moroccan investor, who took advantage of Ouarzazate’s landscape, the price of the employees. The other reason is the number of films that have been shot in the region of Ouarzazate. The number of films which have been shot there is more than 100 movie. The economic impact of the studios is very important, and can not be negligible. Thanks to the studios, the economy of the region is always up. Films also help the tourism economy by making advertisements to the city all over the world, especially through cinema. Thus, Ouarzazate now is visited by all stars of cinema like Julia Roberts, Samuel L. Jackson, Jean-Claude VanDamne, Jackie Chan, Brad Pitt, Jean Paul Belmondo, and so on … Many of those artist have their own houses in Ouarzazate in the neighborhood of The Royal Golf Of Ouarzazate. In the last years, many investors made the decision to build other studios, and now Ouarzazate have 2 studios, but the first one is more equipped. According to the Atlas Corporation Studios’ web site, The studios have a factory for making all sorts of cinema clothing, and also a factory for building of decorum, and the most important is that inside the studios there is a 4 stars hotel. The studios, as I said already, have an important impact on the economy of the city and the national economy of Morocco. Hiring people in films as figurants, as employee in making the decorum, as translator between the employees and the foreigners, as stuntman or acrobat, all those jobs help the popularity by minimizing the number of unemployed. But the most important is that when a film is in production, all the restaurants are packed, all the hotels are hosting and people are buying their stuff. All people know that the producers of films make money out of Ouarzazate for it’s cheap prices, but the most important thing is that the people of Ouarzazate are also gaining an important experience, are wining some money to survive, and also the city itself is not losing anything, on the contrary, it gains celebrity, money, and infrastructure. Those advantages0 are very important for the economy of the whole country.
All what have been said is luring and marvelous. The citizens of Ouarzazate are known for their seriousness thus throughout Morocco they are trusted a lot. This reputation has been owned through a Berber history of good behavior and willingness to help and assist. The historical involvement of its people in fighting for independence is a clear reminder of that. Nowadays, Ouarzazati people still suffer from years of ignorance as its administrative staff is still in the hands of people who are illiterate and are not up to solving people’s problems. People complain the lack of roads and the sparse distance between administration and people. I am sure if all the talents of this city are well consumed, it would have been better. The lack of roads, water, dependence on the center, indifference, immigration and migration would become old stories. The limitation of the control of this cinematographic heritage lies in the hands of business people who exploit meanly the population of Ouarzazate who are not though aware of the value of the treasure their environment offers them. Sure its geography is ready made to host all kinds of films and this treasure can be progressed to a afford a brighter future for its growing number of unemployed youngsters. They in fact stop lately fleeing this beautiful city to larger cities where opportunities of being employed are numerous. A fact which not be ignored as well is the contribution of the large number of workers abroad which boosted the economy of the city. They also add to the glamour of the city by being good ambassadors abroad thus the city is situated as a leading city in the prosperity of tourism in our country.
In conclusion, Ouarzazate a young city which offer many advantages, can be an economic city with its richness in gold, cupper, cobalt, and so on… Can be a touristy city with their landscape. All these can be real if all the talent people for this region are grouped to achieve one aim, the development of their city.
Agadir
Agadir (Amazigh: Agadir, ⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔ; Moroccan Arabic: اگادير) is a major city in central coastal Morocco, the capital of Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane province (MA-AGD) and of the Souss-Massa-Drâa economic region some 508 km to the south of Casablanca, 173 km south of Essaouira and 235 km southwest of Marrakech[1] A majority of its inhabitants speak Amazigh (Berber) as their mother tongue.
The city is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where theSous River flows into the ocean.
The city of Agadir together with the neighbouring cities of Inezgane and Ait Melloul was estimated in 2013 to have 609,088 inhabitants[2]
According to the 2004 census, there were 346,106 inhabitants in that year[3] and the population of the Prefecture of Agadir-Ida Outanane was 487,954 inhabitants[3][Note 1]
Agadir is one of the major urban centres of Morocco, the seventh largest conurbation of the country after Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Tangier. The population density is quite high. Three languages are spoken in the city: Arabic (mainly Darija, which is the Moroccan Arabic dialect); Ta-Chelh-it (or Shilha Berber) by the Berbers (who are also known as I-Mazigh-en Berbers or Ch'leuhs: I-Celḥiy-en); and French. The mayor is Tariq Kabbaj.
Destroyed by earthquake in 1960, the city has been completely rebuilt with mandatory seismic standards. It is now the largest seaside resort in Morocco, where foreign tourists and many residents are attracted by an unusually mild year-round climate. Since 2010, it has been well served by low cost flights and a Motorway from Tangiers, the city attracts all walks of life and has had an annual growth rate of over 6% per year in housing demand while housing production barely exceeds 3.4%[citation needed].
The mild winter climate (January average midday temperature 20.5°C/69°F)[4] and good beaches have made it a major "winter sun" destination for Northern Europeans.
Marrakech
Marrakesh or Marrakech (/məˈrækɛʃ/ or /ˌmærəˈkɛʃ/;[2] Berber: Meṛṛakec, ⵎⴻⵕⵕⴰⴽⴻⵛ; Arabic: مراكش) is a major city in the northwest African nation of Morocco. It is the fourth largest city in the country after Casablanca, Fes and Tangier, and is the capital of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz. Located to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, by road Marrakesh is located 580 km (360 mi) southwest of Tangier, 327 km (203 mi) southwest of the Moroccan capital of Rabat, 239 km (149 mi) south of Casablanca, and 246 km (153 mi) northeast of Agadir.
Marrakesh is possibly the most important of Morocco's four former imperial cities (cities that were built by Moroccan Berber empires). The region was inhabited by Berber farmers from Neolithic times, but the actual city was founded in 1062 AD by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, chieftain and cousin of Almoravid king Yusuf ibn Tashfin. In the 12th century, the Almoravids built many madrasas(Koranic schools) and mosques in Marrakesh that bear Andalusian influences. The red walls of the city, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone during this period, have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City". Marrakesh grew rapidly and established itself as a cultural, religious, and trading centre for the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa; Jemaa el-Fnaa is the busiest square in Africa.
After a period of decline, the city was surpassed by Fes, but in the early 16th century, Marrakesh again became the capital of the kingdom. The city regained its preeminence under wealthy Saadian sultans Abu Abdallah al-Qaim and Ahmad al-Mansur, who embellished the city with sumptuous palaces such as the El Badi Palace (1578) and restored many ruined monuments. Beginning in the 17th century, the city became popular among Sufi pilgrims for Morocco's seven patron saints, who are entombed here. In 1912 the French Protectorate in Morocco was established and T'hami El Glaoui became Pasha of Marrakesh and held this position nearly throughout the duration of the protectorate until the role was dissolved upon independence of Morocco and the reestablishment of the monarchy in 1956. In 2009, Marrakesh mayor Fatima Zahra Mansouri became the second woman to be elected mayor in Morocco.
Like many Moroccan cities, Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls (the medina), bordered by modern neighborhoods, the most prominent of which is Gueliz. Today it is one of the busiest cities in Africa and serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. Tourism is strongly advocated by the reigning Moroccan monarch, Mohammed VI, with the goal of doubling the number of tourists visiting Morocco to 20 million by 2020. Despite the economic recession, real estate and hotel development in Marrakesh has grown dramatically in the 21st century. Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property in the city. Marrakesh has the largest traditional Berber market (souk) in Morocco, with some 18 souks selling wares ranging from traditional Berber carpets to modern consumer electronics. Crafts employ a significant percentage of the population, who primarily sell their products to tourists.
Marrakesh is served by Ménara International Airport and the Marrakesh railway station, which connects the city to Casablanca and northern Morocco. Marrakesh has several universities and schools, including Cadi Ayyad University. A number of Moroccan football clubs are located here, including Najm de Marrakech, KAC Marrakech, Mouloudia de Marrakech and Chez Ali Club de Marrakech. The Marrakesh Street Circuit hosts the World Touring Car Championship, Auto GP and FIA Formula Two Championship races.
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