Morocco is a fascinating country filled with contrasts. It is here that farmers still plow their fields with the help of camels while jets fly far overhead. It is a country of minarets and towering skyscrapers, of dry deserts and snow covered mountains. Morocco is a country that the visitor will discover has much more than expected.

Capital: Rabat

Population: 26, 117, 008

Area: 274, 466 square miles

Language: Arabic. Berber is spoken by a large minority. French is widely understood as well as Spanish in the northern region. English is understood in tourist areas.

Time: GMT

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC, 50 Hz

Geography: Morocco is situated at the northwest tip of Africa and is the closest country in Africa to Europe. To the south Morocco is bordered by Mauritania and to the east by Algeria, to the north by the Mediterranean and the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlas mountain range runs through the middle of the country and slopes down to the fertile stretch of land along the Atlantic. The Atlas Mountains gain in height up to nearly 10,000 ft.

Agadir - Situated on the Atlantic coast about 325 miles south of Casablanca, the city of Agadir is a rapidly growing resort which is blessed with very fine beaches. Just to the north is the town of Essaouira which still has traces of the country's Portuguese past.

Casablanca - The city is the center of commerce for the entire country and as such has lots of tall buildings filled with steel, chrome and windows. In contrast to this image are the many mosques in the city which are quite beautiful and worth a visit especially the Great Mosque which is located in the Old Medina part of the city which is the original Arab and commercial area. The United Nations Square is very central. Close by is the Sacre Couer Cathedral (Catholic) which was built in the earlier part of the 20th century. Also in the area is the Notre Dame de Lourdes church which has fine stained glass windows.

Fez - This is by far the oldest city in Morocco. Settled as far back as the 8th century by Moulay Idriss I of the Idrisside dynasty, the town became the capital and remained so for succeeding dynasties. The city grew in size and reached its pinnacle in the 14th century. In the Medina section of the city you can see a fine example of the 14th century architecture by visiting the Bou Inania Medersa. The Karaouyine Mosque, from the 9th century, is the largest in North Africa, is nearby and can be entered only by Muslims.

Marrakesh - This oasis city is the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Its building are famous for their gentle red ochre color. The city was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids and was one of Islam's greatest cities. Sights in town include the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saandian Tombs and the Medersa Ben Youssef with its beautiful and well laid out courtyard. At Jemma El Fna Square you can often find snake charmers, acrobats, jugglers etc. that have been around long before tourists came to take their pictures. It is now an enterprising venture for the performers who now charge picture takes a small fee for their snapshots. Be sure to visit the Bahia Palace which has five wonderful gardens and the ruins of the El Badii Palace. While in Marrakesh you may want to consider a day trip ( or more ) to the Atlas Mountains.

Meknes - The town is located about 40 miles away from Fez. It became the imperial city of the Alaouite dynasty when Moulay Ismael made it the capital in the 17th century. In the old part of the city, the Medina, see the Museum of Moroccan Arts at Jamai Palace and the gates of Bab Mansour. Nearby is the Mausoleum of Moulay Idress I who was the founder of Fez.

Rabat - Now the present capital of Morocco it is one of the four "Imperial Cities" along with Meknes, Marrakesh and Fez. One of the city's' outstanding features are the magnificent public gardens. The Royal Palace is a must on Fridays when the king is in residence and the Royal Guard parades through the grounds. The fortress of Oudayas Kasbah provides a marvelous view over the estuary. In town the Tower of Hassan, which was built in the 12th century as part of a mosque which was never finished, now home to the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V who was the first ruler of modern and independent Morocco.

Tangier - The city has a history of being the "Crossroads of the World." The Sultan's Palace is situated in the Kasbah and has now become a museum worth visiting. In the Medina (old city) you can wander through old streets to the main market place known as the Grand Socco and the Petit Socco where you can find small shops and cafes. In the area is the beautiful Mendoubia Gardens.

International Airports:

Casablanca - The Mohammed V Airport is located 20 miles south of the city and takes about 35 minutes to travel. Taxi and bus service is available to Casablanca and only bus service to Rabat.

Tangier - The Boukhalef Souahel Airport is located 8 miles from the city and takes 20 minutes to travel. Taxis and bus service is available.

Tipping: Service charges are usually included in hotel and restaurant bills. For porters and taxi drivers, leave small change.

Shopping: Most shops are open by 9:30 am and close for lunch at 1 pm. Shops reopen at 3 pm and close again at 7:30 pm Monday through Saturday.

Food and Drink: Moroccan foods usually involve some kind of meat and a sweet pastry. Restaurants offer a wide selection of menus featuring both international and local choices. Moroccans enjoy a mint tea made with green tea, mint and sugar. It's consumption is tied to social graces which have thrived for hundreds of years. It you do not drink tea, be aware that the drinking of this tea is an important social custom. If presented with it gracefully decline as best you can so not to offend. Coffee is very, very strong except at breakfast but will still startle the uninitiated. Alcohol is available to non Muslims. Local beers and wines are available.

Social: French influence is still quite pervasive here. Good manners are expected of everyone. Patience is definitely a virtue as brashness will definitely get you nowhere. Handshaking is the normal way of greeting. Swim wear must always be confined to the beaches and pools.

Business: Business suits are recommended but not necessary in very hot weather. In business negotiations be mindful that thing will mover very slowly and often involve more people than seems reasonable. Appointments should be made well in advance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Atlas Mountains: Cool wooded slopes of the Mid Atlas and arid slopes of the High Atlas are essential visits.
• Erfoud/Rissani/Merzouga: Remote and beautiful desert communities.
• Essaouira: Old Portuguese town good for watersports and fish restaurants.
• Fez: Oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities.
• Volubilis: impressive Roman remains.

Moroccan dirham (Dr) is divided into 100 centimes. Importing or exporting Moroccan currency prohibited. A combination of cash, travellers cheques and credit cards will give you several options and reduce the risk of being stuck should you lose one or the other. You can change money and travellers cheques at most banks, but shop around for the best rate.

EXCHANGE RATE:

13.50 dirham to the pound.

LANGUAGES:

Arabic and French are the official languages.

GETTING AROUND:

Internal flights, dense network of buses and the modern rail system links most main centres.

CLIMATE

The coastal area has a warm climate but dry except in the Mediterranean area which is more humid. The inland areas are much hotter and drier with the southern areas hot and dry throughout the year. In the interior on the mountains, you may experience near arctic conditions at high altitudes. The rainy season is November until April with the best time to be her April to May and September to October.