Morocco

Situated on the north western corner of Africa, Morocco is bordered with Algeria to the east and southeast, Mauritania to the south and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Its Atlas Mountains, with an average elevation of 11,000 ft, contain some of the highest peaks of North Africa. Following occupation by Spain in 1860, the French imposed a protectorate over the country in 1912. A protracted independence struggle with France then ended successfully in 1956.

While its roots are unquestionably North African, Morocco also exudes a distinct European air mixing Arabic charm with just a soupçon of French colonialism and cosmopolitan allure. This dual personality is also reflected in the country's diverse landscape. Glittering sandy beaches give way to rocky coasts while the dunes and lush oases of the Sahara Desert stand in the brooding shadow of the snow peaked Atlas Mountains.

Agadir is Morocco's premier holiday resort and boasts a long, wide stretch of golden, sandy beach and is known for its wide array of water sports. Casablanca resembles a Southern European city, and any European citizen or traveler will feel immediately at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding of the life here. In contrast it seems that the city of Fez is still lingering back in the Middle Ages. The streets are filled with mosques, medersas, fondouks and monuments.

Marrakesh is Morocco's second largest city and its population continues to rise. The souks are interesting, being the place of alleys and small squares dedicated to specific crafts, where you can often watch part of the making process. Rabat is the second biggest city after Casablanca. It is famous for all the historical monuments in the Kingdom and the luxurious carpets and rich embroidery. Tangier, also known as the White City, revolves around its brilliant shipping port, and assures you of seeing many millionaires' yachts, where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean meets.

The Sahara, nestled between the Nile and the Red Sea, is the largest desert in the world. Nighttime in the dessert brings the stars closer than they have ever seemed before. The Atlas is the biggest mountain range in North Africa. It can be divided up into the High region, Middle region, and Anti region. It is an ideal place for sports lovers and sightseers. Here you can ski, mountain bike, hike and horse ride, or simply take in the breathtaking scenery.

Morocco is not a country in which AfricaAway currently offers a tourism product, although, since Morocco is a short hop away by ferry, or by one of the many budget airlines, from Spain, it might equally well feature in our sister – SpainAway – website.