Morocco Travel - Accommodation, Attractions,
Information
Morocco
is in many ways a country apart. It nestles on the northwestern tip of
Africa, separated from the rest of the continent by the towering Atlas
Mountains and by the Sahara itself. Its climate, geography, and history are
all more closely related to the Mediterranean than to the rest of Africa,
and for this reason visitors are often struck by the odd sensation of having
not quite reached Africa in Morocco. In the north, its fine beaches, lush
highland valleys, and evocative old cities reinforce this impression. Yet,
as one moves south and east, into and over the starkly beautiful ranges of
the Atlases, Morocco's Mediterranean character melts away like a mirage. The
Sahara stretches out to the horizon, and forbidding kasbahs stare.
Anantara Marks Middle East and North Africa As Key Development Area Owned by the Thailand-based Minor International, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is expanding its portfolio across the MENA region with the opening of four new properties by 2011.
Following Anantara's successful inception to the region with ... Anantara Resorts Announces Development in Morocco Anantara Resorts, a leading hospitality and leisure organisation in the Asia-Pacific region, is set to manage two unique five-star resorts in Morocco. This marks Anantara's first entry into the African market.
Anantara Marrakech Resort & Spa and ... Berber Trails 4WD Day Trip from Marrakech Follow ancient Berber Trails across the Atlas Mountains on a day trip from Marrakech into the Moroccan past. From the valleys to the mountain summits, you will discover the faces, smiles and traditional lifestyle of Morocco, away from the busy ... More Morocco News
Palmeraie Village Marrakech
Set in a pleasant preserved and unspoilt part of the most prestigious areas of Marrakesh Palmeraie, the fully furnished apartments of the Palmeraie Village are a peace of heaven in the heart of the famous palm groves.
Whether you are alone or with your family, the Palmeraie Village provides you with all style and comfort you need for a perfect holidays.
A pleasant culture shock awaits you as you arrive in Morocco. It is as
culturally rich as it is geographically diverse and cannot fail to impress.
Visiting some of its towns and villages and experiencing the generosity of
its people will leave you hooked, as I was, by the Arabic experience.
more...
Location, Geography, and Climate
Morocco is situated on the extreme northwestern corner of Africa and is
bordered by Mauritania and Algeria, both to the south and east.
Morocco's varied geography includes no less than four separate mountain
ranges, in addition to lush river valleys, beautiful sandy coasts, and wide
expanses of desert. The three most prominent mountain ranges, which run
parallel to each other from the southwest to the northeast, are the Middle
Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Anti-Atlas. The ascent of the country's
highest peak, Jebel Toukbal (13,665 ft./4,165 m.), is a spectacular and not
particularly difficult High Atlas trek. The Moroccan coastline, which fronts
onto both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, offers plenty of great beaches
as well as a number of fascinating old coastal cities. In the southeast,
Morocco's mountain ranges yield inexorably to the desolate expanse of the
Sahara. The rivers that flow down this side of the High Atlas support long,
narrow, and lush river valleys that resemble linear oases.
The climate in Morocco is reliably dry, although small amounts of rain do
fall between November and March. Temperature varies considerably by season
and locale. While the southern and southeastern desert regions can reach
extremely high temperatures during the hot summer months, the higher
altitudes of the mountains are cool in summer evenings and freezing in
winter. Most travellers find the early summer months to be the most
comfortable time to visit, as rain is not a threat and temperatures are warm
during the day and pleasantly cool at night.
History & Culture
Morocco's history began with the Berbers, the aboriginal people who have
inhabited the country since the end of the 2nd millennium BC Rome extended
its rule over the area after defeating Carthage in 146 BC, and testimony to
its presence still exists in the fine Roman ruins at Volubilis. As Rome fell
into decline Morocco was invaded first by the Vandals and then, in the 7th
century, by the Arabs. Although external Arab rule lasted little more than a
century, the arrival of Islam proved to be a permanent addition to Moroccan
culture. In the ensuing centuries a series of ruling dynasties came to
power, including the Idrissids, the Almoravids, and the Almohads, but none
seemed capable of long maintaining the critical support of the Berber
leaders.
By the 15th century Spain and Portugal began to intrude into Morocco,
after having expelled the Moors from their own lands. Although Morocco
successfully repulsed these invasions, the tide of European imperialism
eventually proved too great. By the middle of the 19th century Morocco's
strategic importance had become evident to all of the European powers, and
they engaged in a protracted struggle for possession of the country.
Finally, in 1911, France was formally acknowledged as protector of the
greater part of the country, with Spain receiving a number of isolated
locales. French rule came to an end in 1953, although its cultural influence
on Morocco remains strongly in evidence. Today the country is ruled by King
Mohammed VI. He appears to be leading Morocco toward both long-term
stability and a greater degree of economic prosperity.
Palmeraie Village Marrakech
