Morocco - The new emerging hotspot

Morocco features a wonderfully diverse natural landscape that has attracted people for hundreds of years. Visitors discover the splendours of its magnificent shoreline, with sandy beaches along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. They are drawn to the lush farmlands of the ancient imperial cities of Meknes and Fes, the seemingly unending expanse of yellow desert, the soaring peaks of the Atlas Mountains framing the magical palm-covered oasis in Marrakech.

As the portal to Africa from Europe, Morocco has welcomed visitors from across the Straits of Gibraltar for centuries. The Orient and Occident, the north and south all meet here; geographically, spiritually and socially, Morocco is an extraordinary melting pot - a multi-cultural land with deep-rooted values of tolerance and openness, where the traditional and the modern blend harmoniously and where Africans, Europeans, Asians, Americans, Christians, Muslims and Jews alike have lived together peacefully for centuries.

Lying only 14 kilometres from the coast of Europe, Morocco has a long and rich cultural history. From 1912 to 1956, the country was a French protectorate and the French influence is still strong today. French is the second language of Morocco and French tourists form the largest group of international tourists. Whilst there are continuing a strong tie with France, King Mohammed VI is keen to develop broader contacts for Morocco and encourage English language training.

Morocco is now Britain's third largest market in the Middle East and North Africa region. UK trade with Morocco has trebled in the past decade and Britain is Morocco's third largest trading partner, after France and Spain. The Moroccan Government is enthusiastic about developing the strength of its economy to ensure harmonisation with the European Union for Free Trade purposes by 2010.

Key facts on Morocco

• The country covers 710,850 square kilometres - slightly larger than the US state of California
• The official language of Morocco is Arabic, but nearly all Moroccans who have had a secondary education speak French. Spanish is widely spoken in the North and many city dwellers also speak English
• The population of Morocco is 33 million, with a growth rate of 1.5%
• There are four imperial cities of Morocco; Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes
• The terrain of Morocco consists of mountainous regions along the northern coast and interior with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermountain valleys and rich coastal plains
• The capital of Morocco is Rabat with a population of 1.6 million
• Morocco was granted independence from France in March 1956
• A free trade agreement between Morocco and the United States and the EU came into effect from January 2006
• Moroccan currency is the Dirham, with approximately 16 Dirhams to the British Pound and approximately 11 Dirhams to the Euro
• British passport holders do not require a visa to enter Morocco, however there is a visiting restriction of three months
• For a Muslim country, Morocco has a relaxed approach to alcohol, which is available in hotels and up-market restaurants. Sweet mint tea, complete with ritualistic serving, is by far the most popular drink
• The finest of Moroccan arts is its food harira (spicy chick pea) soup, kebabs, couscous and tagines (slow cooked stews) are the best known specialities
• The hammam is a ritual purification of the body before Muslim prayers. The rejuvenating hot bath, scrub and massage is popular with tourists
• Most historic cities in Morocco have a souk (market) area and in rural areas there is usually a souk once each week - bartering is expected and is part of the fun

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