Marrakech
Known as a major city in the Morocco Kingdom, it is also considered the fourth city after Fez, Tangier, and Casablanca. Located about 580 km southwest of the Tangier region and in the Southwest of Rabat, this city is referred to as one of the most important cities belonging to the former main city of Morocco…
Similar to many Moroccan cities, this city is made up of modern neighborhoods and vendors selling different varieties of products. Today, Marrakesh has considered a busy city and the presence of tourists in the area makes it livelier. The rising development of hotels and real estate gave the city a wide progression in this 21st century.
History
During the Neolithic times, Berber farmers made residence in the region. Founded in 1062 by Abu Bakr Ibn Umar, the city has numerous mosques and Koranic schools that became the center of religion and learning in the area. The establishment of the trading center made it possible for the city to achieve wide growth in terms of industry and commerce.
The unique style of architecture was the influence of the Andalusian heritage. The mosques that are found in the place became living proof of the unique architecture of the area. In later times, the city became the capital of the Almoravid Estate which stretches from the Senegal shores to the main region of Spain and to the Atlantic coasts.
Population
Based on the 2014 census, the city has a large population of more than 928 thousand. This is a huge number compared to 843 thousand in 2004. When it comes to households, the city has more than 217 thousand in its towns and villages.
Economy
The construction of the highways and the airports mark a huge tourism scale in the city. Each year, it is expected to have 2 million tourists from the vacation and tourist spots around the area. Due to the booming economy, French celebrities have investment property around the area that further heightens the growth of the economy of the city.
Investments and real estate made a greater leap in 2011 with the emergence of the local housing industry. The improvements made are related to the hotels and leisure centers around the area.
Culture
The city is rich in Moroccan and Berber Culture. Notable landmarks could `be found in the city such as the Marrakech Museum which holds the famous Dar Menebhi Palace. This is located in the old city and was built around the 19th century.
One of the most fascinating about the culture of the city is the festivals. The festivals are classified as both national and Islamic. Each year, a great number of tourists came to join the festival or attend it. A few of the festivals being held in the city are the International Film Festival of Marrakech which is the North African version of the Cannes Film Festival.
If you happen to travel to this city, you would be grateful and satisfied with the places, the tradition, and the culture that the place has to offer. A traveler would be delighted to stay or have a vacation here.
2- The High Atlas Mountains
Also known as the Grand Atlas Mountains, the High Atlas Mountains could be found in the Central part of Morocco in Northern Africa. The mountains could also be seen in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. It travels in the east direction where you can see the border of Morocco and Algeria.
If you would like to travel to the ranges, you would have the chance to see Jbel Toubkal which is considered the highest mountain located and the range. This is part of the Toubkal National Park. The range of mountains serves as a weather barrier in the Morocco region that could be seen in the western and eastern parts.
The falling of snow in the mountain ranges launched the idea of having winter sports in the region. The ski stations are found in the North Western High Atlas Mountains.
History
The Berbers were the first inhabitants of the High Atlas Mountains. They have made a living cultivating the land and doing pastoral work. During that time, the locals developed a technique in terms of using precipitations.
This resulted in a major growth in terms of farming wherein the easy cultivation of the fertile land left a significant mark in many years to come. The cultivated valleys are known as Agdal or the Garden of Berber. The western agriculturists were amazed at the technique used that made a big contribution to the High Atlas Mountains but also to the other areas of Morocco.
This resulted in the exploration of French Scientists who want to discover the great agricultural system that developed in the mountain range. Today, the system of agriculture at High Atlas Mountain has improved due to the construction of waterways and canals.
Places to Visit
The mountain has a wide range of places that a traveler might want to travel to. One of these is the fortified village known as Ait Benhaddou. The village has made appearances in films so it is often referred to as Moroccan Hollywood.
If you would travel further down the mountain range, you could see the Amesfrane Rock Wall. This site is famous due to the horizontal ridges that could be observed due to the occasion of heavy erosion in the area. Despite this, it made a cathedral-like impression to travelers. In due time, a great number of travelers named it the Cathedral due to its close resemblance to the gothic cathedral.
Languages
The language of the High Atlas Mountains is Arabic and Berber. Over 14 million people living in the mountain ranges speak the languages. However, at some point, the spoken language is used in an interchangeable manner so you could expect a certain combination of these languages
The High Atlas Mountains have a rich history and culture that would fascinate any traveler. Hence, with this profound richness, you could expect a lot more to see when you climb up the mountain ranges. The culture, sites, and languages would give you the attractions you would not forget. This would make your travel time more worth it.
The Rif and the Mediterranean Coast
In the northern part of Morocco there lies a mountainous region with mostly fertile plains called the Rif or Rif. The name of this region was derived from the term Arif, an Arabic word that means “the countryside”. The Rif Mountains are characterized by a few small towns and other major cities that make up the entire place. One thing that you should take note of about the Rif Mountains is that it’s not an extension of the Atlas Mountains.
History
During prehistoric times, it is believed that the Rif has been inhabited by the early civilizations in Morocco known as the Berbers. Earlier in the 11th century BC, it was the Phoenicians who started the establishment of trading posts with the help of the local Berbers. Upon establishing a great partnership, the two groups of people began the punic language somewhere on the Atlantic and Mediterranean Coasts. Together, they founded some of the cities in Morocco including Melila (Rusadir), Tangier, and a lot more. Each of these cities has its own name back then and later the names were changed with the passing of time.
The Rif officially became a part of Mauretania, a province in Morroco succeeding the Third Punic War. The war gave way for Tangier to become the capital of the province under the leadership of Emperor Claudius. The Romans ruled until the end of the 5th century.
Then in 710, both the Berbers and the Rif decided to be converted to Islam under the rule of Salih l ibn Mansur of the Kingdom of Nekor. Upon conversion, the Berber Muslims began putting up more cities. I was in the 15th century when the Rif had experienced several battles in one place to another. With those wars, the Riffian Berbers won a higher number of victories over the Spaniards.
Geography
Compared to other regions in Morocco, the Rif receives a higher amount of rainfall in a year. Meanwhile, the eastern part of the Rif precipitation appears to be lesser in comparison to the western part. The central portions also receive lesser while it is covered by the forests of Atlas etc. The Rif Mountains have an estimated 5 to 8 various subpopulations of Macaca Sylvanus.
Because of the massive deforestation in the mountain, the locals started converting some parts of the forest into cannabis plantations, especially in the past few centuries. As of now, the mountain undergoes a process of great change.
The Riffian People and Their Language
Riffian locals are actually a part of the Berber ethnic group who are the first inhabitants of Morocco, especially in the northern part. There are over 5 million Riffian in the whole area of the region. Their mother tongue is called Tmaziyt by the Riffian themselves. For non-Riffians, the language is called Tarifft. Yet, a high number of Riffians also speak Spanish, and French and their own Moroccan Arabic is their second language.
3- Cirque du Jebel Tazzeka
The Jbel Tazekka is a well-known tourist attraction in Morocco that is great for couples and for anyone who wants to visit the place for fun and thrill. It’s considered the highest mountain in Morocco that lies on the northeast summit of the Middle Atlas.
If you get the chance to reach the peak of the mountain, you’ll be surprised to see a panoramic view of the southern mountains with densely wooded regions all over. This famous Moroccan park is located approximately 120km going to the east part of the region if your reference point is the city of Taza.
History
Many might be thinking about the history of Jbel Tazekka National Park. Actually, it has been created as protection for natural resources from the top of the Tazekka down to the grove of the cedars. The mountain of Jbel Tazekka is considered a major part of the park dominating a greater portion of the surrounding area.
The construction of the park started in 1950 during the French colonial times. Setting up the Tazekka Park with the Jbel Tazekka mountain with it took up an estimated 680 hectares. The greater part of the park is actually meant to protect the greater part of the flora in the park. Years after it was finished becoming a tourist attraction in Morocco, the local government decided to enlarge the park to up to 13, 737 hectares for the sake of the fauna and flora and other species in the mountain. The expansion has been necessary to control the entire place.
In 1989, an extension was made covering 120km mainly for the forests of holm oak as well as the other landscapes in the park. The extension made a great impact on the entire park as it has become more attractive for tourists and even to the locals themselves. The enlargement is indeed extensive and one of the well-known caves in Morocco has become a part of the park as well. The Dripstone Cave situated in northern Africa has been included as an extension of the park.
Climate
Don’t be surprised to experience atmospheric moisture in the park as it is surrounded by mountains and forests. Since it’s orographically lifted in a woody mountain, there are instances that you’ll see a cap cloud that shows frequently in a year. This is why you have nothing to worry about the weather when you decided to go to the place because the weather there is really good and ideal for travelers like you. Precipitation falls in white and cold forms of snow.