Morocco

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Overview
Morocco is an initiation into the exotic magic of the Islamic, Arabic, African world - the world of medinas and minarets, desert and mountain; yet it almost touches western Europe and, for all the differences, retains a European patina, the legacy of the French Protectorate.

To imbibe the spirit of Morocco, wander the streets of the great cities. Fès - the ancient capital - has a stunning array of medieval buildings, while Marrakech compels attention, its world-famous souk selling a bewildering array of goods; both hark back to the Arab dynasties that ruled the country from the Muslim conquest. Casablanca, a thriving commercial centre, and Rabat, the capital, reflect their modern French origins; Tangier is mildly seedy, slightly melancholy. All Moroccan cities are crowded, the hustlers a fact of life.

Morocco's charm lies in its diversity. For sun-worshippers, there are miles of beaches, while inland lies Berber country where, among the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the energetic can walk or trek. Beyond the Atlas are the fringes of the Sahara, where the caravans once stopped on their way south to trade in spice and ivory.

Whether scaling distant ridges, idling by the sea, haggling for exotic artefacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marvelling at the pink and indigo of a desert dawn, you will be mesmerised.

The original inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, have experienced a series of invaders over the centuries. The first Arabs arrived from the west in AD682 and established a series of dynasties which have ruled Morocco ever since. As in much of North Africa, the conflict between Arabs and Berbers has been a central feature of the country's history.

Morocco achieved independence from the French in 1956 and despite some progress, today two territorial disputes remain: in the Sahrawi region (previously known as Spanish Sahara), claimed by indigenous guerrilla movement, the Polisario Front and in the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco's Mediterranean coast.
Area
710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles).
Population
31.6 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
44.4 per sq km.
Capital
Rabat. Population: 1.2 million (2005 estimate).
Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1956. Gained independence from France in 1956.
Language
The official language is Arabic, but Berber is spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and the main tourist areas.
Religion
Predominantly Muslim with Jewish and Christian minorities. Morocco's population and culture stems from a cross-section of origins including Berbers, Arabs, Moors and Jews.
Time
GMT.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Many of the manners and social customs emulate French manners, particularly amongst the middle class. The visitor may find, in some social situations, that patience and firmness will pay dividends. Often visitors may find themselves the centre of unsolicited attention. In towns, young boys after money will be eager to point out the way, sell goods or simply charge for a photograph, while unofficial guides will always be offering advice or services. The visitor should be courteous but wary of the latter. Normal social courtesies should be observed in someone's home. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Women travelling alone, and/or wearing clothes regarded as provocative (eg strappy tops, short skirts, etc) may attract unwanted attention. Sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexual conduct, are punishable by law. Smoking is widespread and it is customary to offer cigarettes.
Electricity
127/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Driss Jettou since 2002.
Head of State
King Mohammed VI since 1999.

Culture

Food and Drink
Morocco's traditional haute cuisine dishes are excellent and good value for money. They are often exceedingly elaborate, based on a diet of meat and sweet pastries. Hotel restaurants usually serve French cuisine. Restaurants offer a good selection of food, including typical Moroccan dishes, French, Italian or Spanish meals. The three-course fixed menus are not expensive. Many of the souks have stalls selling kebabs (brochettes) often served with a spicy sauce. Most restaurants have waiter service. Bars can have either waiter or counter service. Laws on alcohol are fairly liberal (for non-Muslim visitors) and bars in most tourist areas stay open late. Wines, beers and spirits are widely available. Locally produced wines, beers and mineral waters are excellent and good value, but imported drinks tend to be expensive.

National specialities:
o Harira (a rich soup).
o Pastilla (a pigeon-meat pastry made from dozens of different layers of thick flaky dough).
o Couscous (a dish based on savoury semolina that can be combined with egg, chicken, lamb or vegetables).
o Tajine (a stew, often rich and fragrant, using marinated lamb or chicken).
o Hout (a fish version of the same stew).

National drinks:
o Mint tea made with green tea, fresh mint and sugar. It is very refreshing and its consumption is an integral part of Moroccan social courtesy.
o Coffee is made very strong, except at breakfast.

Tipping: Service charges are usually included in hotel bills; it is customary to tip waiters MAD1-2.

Nightlife
Morocco offers a variety of entertainment from casinos, bars, discos, restaurants and nightclubs, often with belly dancing. There are modern nightclubs in all the cities and resorts around the country. There are casinos in Marrakech, Mohammedia, Tangier and Agadir. Traditional Moroccan entertainment, such as folk dancing, can be seen in every town.
Shopping
The co-operative shops of Moroccan craftspeople, coopartim, operate under state control selling local handicrafts at fixed prices and issue an authenticity receipt or a certificate of origin for customs when exporting. Souks are also worthwhile places to visit for local products. Special buys are leather, tanned and dyed in Fès; copperware; silver; silk or cotton garments; and wool rugs, carpets and blankets. Bargaining is essential, and good buys generally work out at around a third of the asking price. In the south, there are Berber carpet auctions, especially in Marrakech, Taroudannt and Tiznit. Visitors will need a guide to make the best of these occasions.

Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, and Fri 0830-1100 and 1500-1830; large stores are open Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900; souks (traditional markets) are open Mon-Sun 0830-1300 and 1430-1800.

Environment

Climate
The climate varies from area to area. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier, continental climate. In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, with the nights coolest in the months of December and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas. Mostly dry with high temperatures in summer. Cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter.

Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during summer, with warm mediumweights for the evenings during winter and in the mountains. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains.
Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and Mauritania to the south and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain range, which leads to the fertile plains and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over 3,000m (9,850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north coast. The ports of Ceuta (Sebta) and Melilla on the north coast are administered by Spain.

Money

Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of MAD200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of MAD10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Currency Exchange
Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco. National currencies should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (identified by a golden sign); changing money in the street is illegal. There is no commission charge and visitors will be issued with a receipt which they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back into the original national currency upon departure. Money can be withdrawn in banks with a credit card and a cheque book in some larger towns.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Some credit cards are accepted. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in some larger towns.

Traveller's Cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banking Hours
Mon-Thurs 0815-1215 and 1415-1715; Fri 0815-1115 and 1430-1730; Sat 0900-1300.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Morocco without incurring customs duty:
o 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco.
o 1l of spirits and 1l of wine.
o 5g of perfume.

Note: A special permit is required for sporting guns and ammunition which is obtainable upon arrival from the police authorities if passenger(s) hold a permit from their country of origin.

Traveller's Guide

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required.

Visas
Not required for stays of up to three months, except nationals of Hungary who can stay for up to 30 days.
Visa Note Visa extensions of up to six months are possible upon request at the main police station in town.

Contact Addresses

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the UK
49 Queen's Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 5001.
Website: www.mincom.gov.ma
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1300 (visa section); closed UK and
Moroccan national holidays (open until 1500 during Ramadan).

Moroccan Consulate in the UK
Diamond House, 97-99 Praed Street, London W2 1NT, UK
Tel: (020) 7724 0624.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230.

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK
205 Regent Street, 2nd Floor, London W1B 4HB, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 0073.
Website: www.visitmorocco.org
Moroccan National Tourist Office in the USA
20 East 46th Street, Suite 1302, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 557 2520.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the USA
1601 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 462 7979.

Health Care
There are good medical facilities in all main cities, including emergency pharmacies (sometimes in the Town Hall) outside normal opening hours. Government hospitals provide free or minimal charge emergency treatment. Full health insurance is essential.

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