Food
Moroccan cuisine is often reputed to be some of the best in the world, with countless dishes and variations proudly bearing the country's colonial and Arabic influences. Unfortunately, if you learn Arabic in Morocco, especially if you're on a budget, you'll be limited to the handful of dishes that seem to have a monopoly on cafe and restaurant menus throughout the country. Apart from major cities, Moroccans do not generally eat out in restaurants so choice is generally limited to international fare such as Chinese, Indian and French cuisine.
We can let you taste all of these:
Traditional cuisine
• Tagine, a spicy stew of meat and vegetables that has been simmered for many hours in a conical clay pot (from which the dish derives its name) is probably the best known Moroccan meal.
• F or most Moroccans, couscous, which is made from semolina, is a staple in their diet. Couscous is similar to rice or pasta in its function and is usually served with stew or tagine, or mixed with meat and/or vegetables to create a main meal.
• kaliya, a combination of lamb, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion, is popular in Morocco. This dish is Berber in origin and is served with couscous or bread.
• Pastilla is a popular dish in Morocco, it is similar to pastries, which can be found around the world and includes a sweet or savory filling
A 3 DH - Dh 5 serve of harira or besara will always include some bread to mop the soup up and will fill you up for breakfast or lunch:
Moroccans often elect to begin their meals with warming bowl of harira (French: soupe moroccaine ), a delicious soup made from lentils, chickpeas, lamb stock, tomatoes and vegetables.
Many cafes and restaurants also offer good value petit dejeuner breakfast deals, which basically include a tea or coffee, orange juice ( jus d'Orange ) and a croissant or bread with marmalade from Dh 10.
We can let you taste all of these:
Morocco - Climate
The climate is Mediterranean, which becomes extreme towards the interior regions where it is mountainous. The terrain is such that the coastal plains are rich and accordingly, they comprise the backbone for agriculture. Forests cover about 12% of the land while arable land accounts for 18%. 5% is irrigated.
More interesting
It is said that Hercules (a hero of Greek legend) decided to pull Africa and Spain apart, using Gibraltar and the Moroccan mountain of Jbel Musa as his handgrips. They are known as "The Pillars of Hercules".
Oujda, the most eastern city of Morocco, holds the shrine of Sidi Yahya, which is said to be the tomb of John the Baptist.
Morocco is an Islamic country, but it only follows the Muslim calendar for religious purposes.
Unlike other Muslim countries, Morocco uses the Gregorian calendar for all other aspects of national life, including reserving Saturday and Sunday as weekend holidays.
The University in Fes founded in 859 AD claims to be the world's oldest university.
One of the world's most famous trade routes ran from Morocco (taking salt from the Mediterranean) through the Sahara to the market cities on the river Niger.
Date palms been important for many centuries in Morocco. It used to be unlawful to sell a tree, because it was the family's source of food.
In September of every year, the tribes of the Atlas Mountains meet for their great Marriage Festival. Young men and women coming from different clans meet, and families negotiate dowries.
One of the most spectacular of Morocco's festivities is the war exercise, Fantasias, where armed men on horseback perform acrobatic tricks and fire their muskets at a full gallop.
In World War Two it was Moroccan troops who finally stormed the German stronghold at Monte Cassino, at the end of one of the war's hardest-fought battles.
In 1975 the Moroccan army, led by King Hassan, marched to take back the Spanish colony of Western Sahara. The "Green March" is now commemorated with a national holiday on 6 November.
A giant system of sand wall defences was built in the 1980s to keep back the Polisario guerrillas (who were fighting for independence for their part of the Sahara).
