Morocco – History
morocco history The population history of Morocco is very old, as evidenced by numerous prehistoric engravings. Since that time, followed by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Berbers, Byzantines, Romans and Vandals before the 8th Century the Arabs took over the rule. Morocco is the nation since 788, when Idrissi. was proclaimed king at Volubilis. (By comparison, only 200 years later, France was given by Hugues Capet’s first king.) Today, Morocco is a constitutional monarchy of King Mohammed VI. ruled since 1999. As a descendant of the Prophet, he is also the leader of the faithful, and thus the religious leader of the Moroccans.
Morocco – Climate and seasons
Morocco Climate The most diverse natural areas according to the climate of Morocco is characterized by its s character transition from Mediterranean to continental-Saharan. The climate varies according to region. On the coast the winter is mild and moist, the hot summer sun & rich. The plains of the interior are characterized by a dry continental climate with low rainfall. Determine where the hot summer and cold winter seasons. The massif of the High and Middle Atlas, the coldest temperatures are reached. It can eight months during periods of frost to come. Snow falls above 1000m and 4000m from the snow stays on average are from November to May. The summers in these mountainous regions are however also warm. The Anti Atlas, the Sahara and the southeastern foothills have a semi-desert or desert climate. The summers are extremely dry and very hot. In winter there are biting frosts. A hot desert winds (Chergui), which can drive the temperatures occasionally exceed 50 degrees Celsius, relative humidity, is barely 30%. In Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Zagora, the sun shines in average more than 8 hours a day.
Morocco – Immigration
A valid passport is mandatory. The visa requirement is dependent on your nationality. The embassies and consulates can assist you before and during your trip. Nationals of member countries of the European Union plus Switzerland and Canada, there is no visa requirement. The length of stay for tourists of all nationalities is limited to a maximum of 90 days. German citizens may enter without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 90 days after Morocco and need a German passport that is valid for 6 months from date of entry. Children need for the entry and exit of a child’s passport with photo.
Morocco – Health and Safety
Morocco Trekking Morocco is a safe country that has all the medical facilities. The need for vigilance and hygiene regulations are self-
Compulsory vaccinations for travel to Morocco are not required. The Foreign Office recommends as sensible vaccinations:
Protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long term stays over 4 weeks or special exposure and hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. You can protect yourself against mosquito bites by wearing clothing covering the body and by applying insect repellent on all exposed body parts.
The incidence of malaria is limited to individual rural areas of Chefchaouen province from May to October. Since 2005, no more malaria cases were reported. There is no need for medication malaria prophylaxis.
Morocco – cleanliness and hygiene
By an appropriate food and water hygiene can prevent most diarrheal diseases. When traveling, it is possible that the organism is susceptible during the adjustment period. Wash your hands frequently, drink only water from bottles opened before you, and avoid ice cubes. Stomach discomfort, as elsewhere, cooked, or due to inadequate water and poorly washed food.
Morocco – religion, lifestyle and holidays
Morocco Travel Islam is the official religion of Morocco’s, but still coexist with the other. The daily schedule is divided by five calls to prayer rhythm. The muezzin announces them from the top of the minaret from. During the fasting month of Ramadan, the Moroccans and refrain from eating from sunrise to sunset, drinking and smoking. Of course, brings havoc on daily rhythm. The majority of administrations, public services, monuments and shops makes its opening times to one. Nevertheless, the non-Muslims in certain restaurants, particularly in hotels, get something to eat.
Morocco – Lifestyle
Morocco Holidays The local customs respected means to provide evidence for a basic courtesy to a host country. So we ask you to adapt to the habits in order to avoid embarrassing situations and misunderstandings. Here are some important rules:
In Morocco, the non-Muslims access to the mosques and the holy places is forbidden. Some exceptions are: the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum and in Rissani. Please avoid provocative clothing. An invitation to tea with mint is a gesture of hospitality – you should always accept the gesture. If you are invited to a meal with the family, wash your hands first into the water jug symbolically hands. The meal begins when the landlord has the “bismillah,” a eulogy spoken to God. Eat with your right hand, try to everything. But you do not feel obligated to eat everything that is on your plate – that’s generally impossible!
Avoid it, please, during the Ramadan period in the day to drink in public, eating and smoking. If you want to photograph someone, do not forget to ask for his permission beforehand.
Morocco – Holidays
Civic life is governed by the Gregorian calendar. Unlike other Muslim countries, the weekend of Saturday and Sunday. Friday is a public holiday, but the administrations and public services, extend their lunch break to allow the faithful to go to prayer. The religious life is based on the Muslim calendar. It starts on 16th July 622, the day when Mohammed left Mecca for Medina in settling, where the majority of his followers lived. The Hedschranische year, the year of the moon, consisting of 12 months,.
However, it is shorter than the solar year. The Ramadan month and the major religious festivals are shifting under the Gregorian calendar. Check with the Moroccan National Tourist Office in accordance with the dates of the festivals.
Morocco – Civic celebrations
First January: New Year
11th January: Declaration of Independence
Third March: hard throne. This is the most important civic festival Morocco s. It is celebrated as a day of rejoicing throughout the kingdom with fireworks, singing, dancing and parades.
First May: Labour Day
23rd May: National Day
9th July: Festival of Youth
14th August: homage to the Wadi Eddahab
20th August: Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the people
6th November: Anniversary of the Green March
18th November: Celebration of Independence
Morocco – cuisine and specialties
Moroccan cuisine The tasty Moroccan cuisine combines Berber, Andalusian-Arab and Jewish components. She prepares with finesse from the sun-drenched fruits and vegetables, exquisite, fragrant spices, delicious fish and tasty meats.
The Koran forbids Muslims eating pork, according dominate mutton, veal and lamb meat supply, is next to poultry, beef, sometimes also served camel or gazelle meat. Lovers of fresh fish are also used in Morocco at your expense. What is considered by many as the best oriental cuisine in the world, certainly a feast for your taste buds will be.
Gourmet tip: In our travels – be it in the tours or hikes / treks (particularly evident in the family nights in the south of the country) – we always eat traditionally. Here are the Moroccan main dishes, which should cost you absolutely:
Merguez: sausages made with mutton or beef, spiced. To buy at the entrance of a market in one place or at the roadside. An inexpensive and delicious snack.
Couscous: millet or wheat semolina with various vegetable or meat side dishes. There is also the couscous in a sweet version with raisins, sugar and cinnamon. It is the traditional court Friday of the families in the restaurant, you can now get it every day.
Moroccan dishes Our tip: Try to use your cutlery to eat it and not to Moroccan style with your fingers.
Tajine: This term refers to the same time the vessel (a shallow dish of baked clay with decorations and the typical cone-shaped lid) and the content (in olive oil braised stew of meat, poultry, fish and vegetables, sometimes with dates, prunes and almonds).
Mechoui: A traditional family celebration meal: grilled lamb, mutton and sometimes, on a spit or in the oven. The meat melts in your mouth.
Kefta: Is the Moroccan meatballs: usually fried in olive oil, minced meat dumplings.
Pastilla: A delicate puff pastry stuffed with pigeon and almonds: This is the famous sweet-salty dish on Moroccan Art There are versions with fish, chicken, and – for dessert – even with milk.
Harira: Ramadan and is a national court. Tasty and nutritious meat soup with lentils and chickpeas Beghrir. Ramadan is another court. Small pancakes in the waffle pattern, served with melted butter and honey.
Shebbakia: is another dish during Ramadan. In oil-fried and dipped in honey pastries.
Mint tea: erqickt He warms up and strengthens. He is drunk in the morning, after meals – and simply a pleasure. A specialty that should never reject you.
Cake: honey cakes, foam rolls, Feqqas with almonds, raisins, almonds Ghoriba with sesame … irresistible.
