The capital city is Rabat on the Atlantic Coast. Casablanca also on the Atlantic coast is the country's chief port. The city of Fes is the spiritual and cultural centre of Morocco, famous for its ancient university. Marrakesh, an oasis at the edge of the desert, is also an important trade centre and the main city of southern Morocco. Tangier in the north, opposite Gibraltar is famous for the many writers and artists who have lived there.
Rain falls mostly in winter and the mountain peaks are covered with snow most of year.
In the desert rainfall is very low and also unpredictable. The daytime temperatures are very high but the nights can be extremely cold. The natural environment reflects the wide variations of its geography and climate. The mountains are often heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter many of the mountains are covered in snow.