Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a kingdom in the northwestern part of the African continent. Over an area of 459,000 square kilometres, around 32 million people live there.
Around 700,000 inhabitants live in the capital, Rabat. The majority of Morocco’s population adheres to the Islamic faith. The official language of Morocco is Arabic. However, the Maghrebi Arabic dialect is spoken in this country. In some places, Berber languages are also spoken. Furthermore, French is widely used in this country as a language of education and business.
Morocco’s attractions
The many different attractions in Morocco attract visitors from all over the world throughout the year. In particular, the regions along the Mediterranean coast and the Atlantic coast are very popular with tourists. The Moroccan Mediterranean coast lies between Nador and Tangier and offers visitors numerous small bays and expansive beaches. The Mediterranean Sea in this region is particularly well suited for diving and swimming. The Atlantic coast, on the other hand, is rather rocky but still offers many beautiful beaches and some idyllic, wind-protected coves.
Casablanca is a relatively young Moroccan city, yet it is the largest city in Morocco and serves as the country’s economic centre. In Casablanca stands the Hassan II Mosque, the world’s second-largest mosque. It also features a 210-metre minaret, which is the tallest in the world. Other attractions in Morocco include the ancient royal city of Fez, the city of Marrakesh with its grand palaces, mosques and narrow alleys, and the old town of Tangier with its grand mosques and the famous Mendoubia Gardens.
Location and climate of Morocco
Morocco is located in northwest Africa, between the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the country of Algeria. It is separated from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar. The climate in Morocco ranges from a Mediterranean climate in the northwest to a Saharan-continental climate in the south and southeast. In the northwest, temperatures average 23°C in August and are very mild at around 12°C in January. However, there is a lot of rain in winter, with precipitation decreasing significantly towards the south. Inland, there is a pronounced continental climate, with summer temperatures reaching up to 45°C. In winter, temperatures in this region can drop to freezing point. South of the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara determines the climate, resulting in a hot and dry desert climate in this part of the country.
Arrival and entry
Morocco can be reached by plane. The most important airports include those in Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakesh. For most tourists, their holiday begins in Agadir, as most German airlines fly directly to this airport from Germany. In addition, Morocco can also be reached by sea. The largest ports in Morocco include those in Casablanca and Tangier.
For a holiday trip to Morocco of less than 90 days, German nationals only need a passport to enter the country. This must still be valid for six months upon entry. During a holiday in Morocco, the stay must not exceed 90 days. For longer stays, a special application is required.
