About Morocco | By Morocco Channel City finder About Morocco Morocco (the full Arabic name is Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah which translates into "The Western Kingdom" ) is located on the North West coast of Africa and has ports in the North Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It is the third most populous Arab country. Morocco shares the largest part of its border with Algeria to the East and Western Saharah to the South. Morocco is divided into sixteen regions . Each region is further divided into provinces and prefectures. The capital of Morocco is Rabat and its largest city is Casablanca. The national currency is the Moroccan Dirham . Getting Here For U.S. citizens and British citizens, passports are required for entry into Morocco, but a visa is not required for stays up to three months. Mohammed V International Airport (CMD) is the main international airport and is located in Nouasseur, which is approximately 25 km (15 miles) from Casablanca . There are also some 60 regional airports throughout the country. Royal Air Maroc is the national air carrier. For U.S. travelers, Delta and Continental offer regularly scheduled flights.

From the United Kingdom and Europe, flights are offered by Air France, Easy Jet, and Ryanair into many Moroccan destinations. For domestic flights within Morocco, travelers rely upon the company called Regional Air Lines. Travelling to Morocco is also accomplished by ship with cruise lines, such as Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, offering itineraries with regular stops at Morocco’s main port in Casablanca. For more information about travel, see our flights and hotels sections. Accommodations Morocco has a variety of accommodations from which to choose. In the larger cities, such as Casablanca and Tangier , there are a number of international hotels including the Ramada, Sheraton and Hyatt Regency. However, throughout all of the major cities and in the metropolitan centers of Morocco, excellent five star hotels that offer the luxury of their international counterparts but with local charm and hospitality are available. Many travellers find that the best accommodations in Morocco are Riads , which are traditional Morocco homes that have been converted into small hotels and private guest houses. Riads are usually located inside the older districts throughout Morocco which are steeped in culture. Destinations and Attractions Morocco is a land rich in natural beauty and unforgettable places that are both fascinating to visit and intriguing to explore.

For those who want to immerse themselves in Moroccan culture and history there are hundreds of mosques , palaces , and historical sites to visit. Some of the favorites on our list include the ancient city of Asilah, the Grottoes of Hercules , and the El Bahia Palace. Equally memorable is the Moroccan landscape, which is framed by several impressive destinations such as the Sahara Desert and stunning mountain ranges such as the High Atlas , the Chefchaouen Mountains and the Oregano Mountains, which offer outdoor activities such as snow skiing, hiking, climbing, and adventure travel . For travelers wanting the relaxation of seaside towns and beaches, the Moroccan coast is home to spectacular fishing villages such Dakhla and swimming beaches such as Plage Quemada and Lalla Fatma. Culture and Heritage Moroccan culture is rich is history, the arts and sciences. Throughout Morocco there is a wide choice of museums such as The Museum of Antiquities and The Ethnographic Museum in Tetouan. Another favorite stop is the Museum of Moroccan Art , which houses on display unique collections of glass objects, manuscripts, exquisite carpets, jewelry, pottery and ancient manuscripts.

For those enjoying live performances, Morocco has may wonderful theatres that present classic, translated and reworked productions of western classics such as Shakespeare to modern productions of Moroccan plays that are filled with the country’s tradition and folklore. Unique theatrical venues include Alliance Franco-Marocaine Theater and the Teatro de Cervantes. Popular outdoor festivals also abound with performances held at the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival and the Amazigh Theater Festival in Casablanca. Seekers of outdoor adventure may wish to explore the wonderful national parks and reserves of Morocco, such as Souss Massa National Park and the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve established through UNESCO. A more detailed review f these and other parks can be found by reading our section on National Parks. We proudly offer hundreds of pages of information about Morocco as well as sources for the best travel deals. We invite you to search our hundreds of pages of travel guides for ideas and be sure to look for special offers for the best rates on flights , hotels , and car rentals . Enjoy your trip to Morocco!

Casablanca travel guide - Wikitravel 13 Get out Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء), almost universally referred to as 'Casa', may be the cosmopolitan, industrial and economic heart of Morocco (and its largest city), but it is one of the less endearing in the country. With a small, unassuming medina and a traffic-congested ville nouvelle, travellers arriving via Casablanca may be tempted to find the first train out to nearby Rabat . The awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque and happening nightlife, however, are worth at least a day of your Moroccan itinerary. Understand[ edit ] Mosque Hassan II The modern city of Casablanca was founded by Berber fishermen in the 10th Century BC and was subsequently used by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Merenids as a strategic port called Anfa. The Portuguese destroyed it and rebuilt it under the name Casa Branca, only to abandon it after an earthquake in 1755. The Moroccan sultan rebuilt the city as Daru l-Badya and it was given its current name of Casablanca by Spanish traders who established trading bases there.

The French occupied the city in 1907, establishing it as a protectorate in 1912 and starting construction of the ville nouvelle, however it gained independence with the rest of the country in 1956. Casablanca is now Morocco's largest city with a population of almost 4 million and also boasts the world's largest artificial port but no ferry service of any kind . Casablanca is also the most liberal and progressive of Morocco's cities. Young men flirt brazenly with scantily-clad women, designer labels are the norm in the chic, beachfront neighbourhood of 'Ain Diab and many young Moroccans speak to each other exclusively in French. But not everyone is living the Casablancan dream. Tens of thousands of rural Moroccans who fled the drought-ravaged interior to find work in the city are struggling under high unemployment rates and expensive housing. The poverty, prevalent in slums on the city's outskirts, has led to high rates of crime, drug use and prostitution. By plane[ edit ] Royal Air Maroc Mohammed V International Airport ( IATA : CMN) is the busiest gateway to the country and is well-connected to Europe .

Royal Air Maroc flies to New York JFK,Canada, many cities in Europe, and has connecting flightsto all northern and many other African countries such as Nigeria, Central African Republic, Senegal. To get from the airport into Casablanca or vice versa, the most efficient way is to take the ONCF train, the airport train station name is AEROPORT Med V, which is at the airport basement level. The trains depart hourly to the city starting from 04:00 to 23:45 of the day (if going from city to airport, it's from 03:00 to 22:00). The train schedule is available at the ONCF website in French. A single 2nd class ticket is 43 Durhams as of January 2017. There are 5 stations at this airport train line: AEROPORT Med V, L'Oasis, Mers Sultan, Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port, full journey takes 45 min.

Casa Port station is more closed to the center, Casa Voyageurs station is on the outskirts of the city central and then a fairly long walk or petit taxi (circa 15DH) into the centre. Maps are available at the Train Chief's office. ONCF trains including airport line often delay, so better to plan your departure time at least 2.5~3 hours before the flight taking off, and also, please double confirm with the station stuff for the incoming train destination to avoid taking wrong direction. On arrival at Casa Voyageurs you should expect to be besieged by touts and taxi drivers offering outrageous fares and refusing to use their meters. Even if they say they will use the meter, they will subsequently announce a 10 dirham surcharge per person or per bag applies. For destinations in the central city you will be lucky to get the fare below 30 dirhams - two to three times its likely true value. If your luggage is not heavy, simply ignore them all and walk away from the station where you are far more likely to find an honest driver who will use his meter.

Alternatively, if you know the tram runs close to your accommodation, it is only 7 dirham to buy a rechargeable ticket at the stop immediately in front of the station. If you arrive too late for the train, a taxi into the city should be 300~350 DH. Note: there are 2 ATMs once you exit the arrivals area of the airport, past the customs and immigration area, but right before you go outdoors. You may have to walk to the left by 50 meters to find the ATMs. Buses to the center leave regularly (~4 Dh). There is also Casablanca Airport Car Service [1] +(212) 676-768-189. Or Taxi7on7 [2] +212 661 941 111 - +212 627 24 18 18 (whatsapp/viber/Line). By train[ edit ] The most convenient way to reach major Moroccan cities is by train.

The downtown station Casa Port only has a couple of trains, while all others pass through Casa Voyageurs station, which serves trains to Meknes / Fes / Oujda , Marrakech or Tangier with stops in between. The trains are comfortable, the stations easy to navigate, and boards display the time of departure/arrival. Be sure to check the schedule [3] for express trains; for instance, the train that leaves Casablanca at 7:05AM daily takes 3 hours to reach Fes, as opposed to the normal 5 hour journey. Trains for Rabat leave half-hourly. Trains are divided into first and second-class compartments; the first-class ones generally cost an extra 50%, but have more room and guarantee a seat. Boarding second-class compartments during peak hours may mean that you have to stand until a seat is free. By bus[ edit ] CTM coaches (intercity buses) and various private lines run services to most notable Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities. These run from the Gare Routière on Rue Léon l'Africain in downtown Casablanca.

The main Gare Routière (Ouled Ziane) is in the outskirts of the city and serves the same (and more) destinations as CTM. This is definitely not the best place to be around at night (as most train/bus stations in the world), but noone will try to bother you once you get inside the station. The fares are slightly cheaper and busses tend to leave more frequently, however their quality might be lower and some do take longer for the trip (always ask if they take the highway (autoroute) if available on your route). Most busses don't leave acording to a fixed schedule, but when all the places in the bus are sold out. If buying a ticket there, make sure you don't pay anyone untill you see the bus and you are sure there is a place for you to sit on. A taxi from downtown/Casa Voyageurs should cost you no more than (12 Dh/8 Dh) or 25 Dh with a taxi meter (as of August 2013), although you may have a hard time getting this fare (especially from downtown). Bus number ten used to go there, but seems to leave from another place now, as a tramway is under construction.

There is a grand taxi rank about 200m south of Place des Nations Unies running there for 6 Dh per person. Gare Routière is so far the only place in Casablanca where you can have your luggage stored for a small fee (as of August 2013). By car[ edit ] There is a well maintained toll that runs from Tangier to El Jadida , passing through Casablanca and Rabat . The minimum driving age in Casablanca is 18. Always carry your driver's license and passport while driving. Avoid driving if possible-- car rental prices are high as is the accident rate. If you are leaving Casablanca by car, make sure to fill up in the city. Gas/petrol stations becomes scarce outside Casablanca. Get around[ edit ] A government department puts out an exhaustive map of Casablanca in book form called Carte Guide de Casablanca that you can find in bookstores or online; in all likelihood, though, it isn't necessary.

Other than that, Casablanca is like any other European city: the streets (mostly) have signs, and passersby are extremely helpful in French or Arabic and, more rarely, Spanish or English. The Medina can be hard to navigate, but it's so small that no matter how blindly you wander into it, you're never more than ten minutes from an exit. By tram[ edit ] The tram opened in December 2012. The tram works from 6 AM to 22:30 PM during the week. End-to-end journey times are put at 60/70 minutes. The 31-kilometre line links some of main neighbourhoods of the city, and includes 48 stop stations. Two of the stations, Gare de Casa-Voyageurs, and Gare de l'Oasis are located in front of train stations. Here is a map url=" " A rechargeable ticket costs 7 Dh for the first time (like 1 DH more to get the Tram-card), and a one-way trip costs 6Dh, regardless of distance. Trams run frequently, with at least one train every ten minutes during daylight and early evening hours.

By bus[ edit ] Many bus companies run through the city, the bus routes are the same for a given number, although the route remains completely unclear (Google maps has some bus stops for Casa though). Going by bus is the cheapest way to get around (4 Dh) but some companies such as Hana Bus have vehicles in a disastrous state. It could be worth taking the chance given the cost-saving and experience of what many locals experience, but watch out for pickpockets. By taxi[ edit ] All taxis red in color, drivers know how to get to every single place in every single guide book, even if you tell them just "the restaurant on Blvd. Hassan II." Don't be surprised if the taxi stops to pick someone else up. The minimum fare is 7.5 Dh. The white taxis act much like buses, squeezing up to 6 passengers inside. They are a set route and a set price, of 4 or 5 Dh. if you are waiting for a taxi feel free to pull one over and tell him where you're going, and he'll take you if he happens to be heading that way. Always pay your 5Dh at the start of the trip!

See[ edit ][ add listing ] The King Hassan II Mosque, Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Tours: Sat-Thu beginning at 9AM, 10AM, 11AM and 2PM (120 MAD per person or 60 MAD for students with ISIC). A relatively new mosque, it's the largest in Morocco and the third largest in the world--also consisting of the tallest minaret in the world. It is one of the two main mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Beautiful interior complete with water features, a roof that opens to the sky, a huge hammam in the basement (not in use), and beautiful tile work. Worth a trip to the city. Old Medina, North of of the Place des Nations Unies There is a small, traditional walled town in the north of Casablanca. If you are in town it's worth a visit, but it's nothing compared to the glories of Fes or Marrakech. The Corniche is a neighborhood on the ocean, west of the Hassan II Mosque. Decades ago, it was a thriving resort area - hotels lining the ocean side of the Boulevard de la Corniche and nightclubs lining the other side.

Most look like they've seen better days, but it's almost disorienting how much it resembles the New Jersey Shore. Along the Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique are many newer, fancier hotels. The Corniche is also home to many western fast food chains. A new western-style movie theater can also be found here, but the best option is to walk up and down the street, resting at one of the many ocean-view cafes. The Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman is built on a rock offshore, well past The Corniche, and is only accessible at low tide. The shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but visitors are permitted to explore the tiny, Medina-like neighborhood that has sprung up around it. A better bet is to walk to it along the beach and catch a view of the beautiful white walls before catching a cab to less remote areas. Mahkama du Pacha This is a Hispanic-Moorish building comprised of more than 60 ornate rooms with delicately carved wooden ceilings. There are many stuccoes and intricate wrought-iron railings as well as beautifully-tiled floors. While entrance may be free it is not easy to get in. You need to find a guide to accompany you.

Ask around - especially if you speak some French - as it is worth the entrance. Open hours: Mon-Sat 8:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00. To get there take bus 81 on Boulevard de Paris. Central Post Office Come here to send your postcards in style! Built in 1918, the facade of this building is composed of both round and rectangular shapes. Once you approach you will get a good view of the excellent mosaics. Beach[ edit ] Aïn Diab Plage, Casa Tramway terminus. Free to enter. Go for great people-watching, join a pick-up soccer game, buy a paddleball set from a mobile vendor, or hire a horse or camel ride. Bring your own picnic or try the sandwiches, ice cream (2 Dh), friend pastries (5-10 Dh), popcorn (1 Dh), fresh orange juice, french fries, coffee, and tea sold at stands or by passing vendors. Umbrella and two chairs, 30 Dh, negotiable (tables available, too).

edit Swimming in Ain Diab or anywhere on Moroccan Atlantic Coast can be hazardous because of rip currents. Water is usually cold even in the summer months, but there are exceptional days when the water is warm and free of rip of currents. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Next to the beach in the Ain Diab area, there you have the "Morocco Mall" , which is the second largest shopping mall of Africa. All major chains, stores and (exclusive) brands are represented in the mall, as well as an IMAX theatre and many more different activities besides shopping. Next to Megarama Cinema and front of kind Abdulaziz mosque, there you have "Anfa Place Mall ".it's roughly the same as the former. Around the old Medina it's easy to find places selling traditional Moroccan goods, such as tagines, pottery, leather goods, hookahs, and a whole spectrum of geegaws. In Fes or Marrakesh the selection and competition are much greater, and you can probably bargain for a lower price. The Maarif neighborhood (near the twin center) has many name-brand European and American fashion chains, such as Zara.

Designer glasses, leather shoes, and "genuine" belts, bags, and shirts can be had at bargain prices. The Derb Ghalef neighborhood has a huge souq that is not for the faint of heart. A cluster of small shanties, each one is loaded with "genuine" mobile phones, "genuine" watches, and "genuine" "brand name" clothing. The shops are separated by alleys no more than three feet wide, some of which double as drainage ditches. There are numerous fruit smoothie stands in the center, which make a good spot for regrouping and planning your excursion. The stall owners are, of course, kings of negotiating, and without a good handle on Arabic and a strong backbone, you're likely to pay well over the going rate for anything. Budget[ edit ] Cafes, Many cafes have breakfast specials where you can get a hot beverage, juice, plus pastry, toast, omelette, or egg and meat tagine for 12-20 Dh.

Street food, Stroll through the medina and the streets just outside the walls for stands selling fried eggplant, fish, or meat sandwiches (8-10 Dh); freshly squeezed fruit juices (8-15 Dh); freshly grilled sweet or savory breads; muffin cakes (1 Dh each) and drinkable yogurt (5 Dh per half liter); grilled corn; soupe Morrocaine (3-5 Dh) and more. Outside of the mealtime rush, there are plenty of small shops all around town selling rotisserie chicken, grilled meats, or grilled sausages (all with fries) for under 30 Dh a plate. La Cigale, Blvd Brahim Roudani just south of the Rampwan de L'unite Africaine. This bar is an unassuming spot close to the Park of the Arab League, with a restaurant in front that serves only the most basic food (sausage or kefta sandwiches, salads, and the like.) The bar in the back is more crowded and has live music most nights. Beer is served with a plate of olives or popcorn, and it's one of the few Moroccan-style bars where women can drink in peace.

Wine and liquor are available, but only when eating in the restaurant. A few phrases in Arabic to Aisha, the barkeeper, will win her heart and ensure a constant supply of olives. Benis Patisserie, Quartier Habous. This place is famed for having some of the best pastries in Morocco. Try one of their famous hornes des gazelles. You should also try the bastilla (one of the most luxurious and prestigious dish in the Moroco's gastronomy, and Benny's is undoubtedly the best one. Choose the pigeon or farm chicken version. You must book it in advance (05 22 30 30 25). Mid-range[ edit ] La Corrida, 59 Rue el Araar, ☎ +212 (0) 22 27 81 55. From the outside, it's easy to miss this restaurant, but look for the little sign ringed in blinking lights. It has a nice outdoor courtyard, but the inside is the main attraction. It's decorated like with memorabilia from Spanish bull fighting tournaments and has a dark, candle-lit vibe that's perfect for dates.

The sangria is tasty, as is the Tapas menu (which changes daily). Seafood is the specialty, and the steamed mussels should not be missed. This restaurant was boarded up and no longer appears to be open as of May 2014. Taverne du Dauphin, 115 Blvd Felix Houphouet, ☎ +212 (0) 22 22 12 00. A little seafood place within walking distance of the old medina, the port, and the Park of the Arabic League, this place can get crowded at meal times. An excellent selection of seafood and one of the widest beer selections in all of Morocco (though that's only 5 or 6 different brews) makes this a very popular lunch spot. The fish is fresh from the fishermen at the port, and the shellfish (oysters, mussels and so on) are delicious. When paying, however, keep an eye on the waiters: they'll "help you count the money," which can turn into an elaborate shell game where they'll slip some of the cash into their own pocket.

Le Kobe D'Or, 9 Rue Abou Salt El Andaloussi (just off of Brahim Roudani), ☎ +212 (0) 22 98 07 25. An asian restaurant that is hard to miss, as it has an enormous red neon sign. The inside is nicely decorated in dark red, with lots of mirrors and asian details. The food is ho-hum; the soups are great but the chicken tends to be overcooked. Still, a nice place for a quick snack close to the Maarif, a good shopping area. La Sqala, Blvd. Des Almohades, ☎ +212 (0) 22 26 09 60. Built in the remains of an old fortress, this place is worth as much as a cultural attraction as it is a restaurant. On the outskirts of the old medina, it has cannons, walls, defensive positions, and portcullises as well as a nice, clean eating environment. The atmosphere tends to be a little on the touristy side, but the food is a good modern look at traditional Moroccan foods. Some dishes are vegetarian and vegan.

They also have the obligatory Moroccan pastries and teas if you're just in the mood for a snack. Great photo opportunity. Al Mounia, 95 Rue Prince Moulay Abdullah, ☎ +212 (0) 22 22 26 69. This restaurant has an excellent courtyard with a hundred year-old tree. The main drawback is that since this restaurant is listed in most guidebooks, it fills up with tourists at an early hour. The cooking is mostly traditional Moroccan foods, with some of the best couscous in the country. There is also an extensive wine list. La Cocina; 55, Rue Mustapha el Manfalouti, Gauthier, a 20m de Zerktouni, ☎ +212 (0) 522 463369. The real spanish taste in Casablanca. Located in the center of Casablanca, this restaurant offers a variety of Spanish dishes, very good rice and paellas dishes and a great selection of authentic Spanish tapas and local and imports wines and beers.

Open from noon until midnight without interruption, its nice decor and friendly service make it a must in Casablanca. Splurge[ edit ] Rick's Cafe, 248 Rue Sour Jdid, ☎ +212 (0) 22 27 42 07. This restaurant has recreated the eponymous cafe from the movie Casablanca, and has done so without being cheesy. Excellent location, within a 20 minute walk of the Hassan II Mosque and in the walls of the Old Medina bordering the ocean. The food is excellent. Eat at one of the tables on the second floor for an excellent view of the seats below and the niveau-Moroccan decorations, or eat on the ground floor to be nearer the piano player who plays, of course, As Time Goes By among other classics. Excellent selection of wine and liquor and, for Morocco, beer (5 different brands). The waitstaff, in tuxedos and Fezes, are superb. Cost of dinner for 2 up to 800 DH. Alternatively, eat elsewhere and come here for drinks at the ever-so-classy bar, and soak up the 1940's Casablanca atmosphere.

Dress code enforced [ [4] ]. Ô Sushi, 27 Lotissement Assalama Sidi Maarouf, ☎ +212 (0) 52 27 87 904. Sushi is catching on in a big way in Morocco. This little place, on a side street near the prefectural police headquarters, is one of the best. New, clean, and trendy, you're unlikely to find anyone in it before 10pm. They serve all the sushi classics- Nigiri, Sashimi, Hosomaki, Maki, Futomakis, and assorted other fish items. Though tasty, it can get expensive if your aim is to fill yourself up. Not very many options for vegan diners. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Nightlife in Casablanca has mixed reviews. Women might feel a bit uncomfortable with the mostly male crowds in many bars and nightclubs. But if you dig a bit, you'll find some excellent spots to drink, dance and people watch. Certain clubs are flooded with prostitutes at night. It is not advised to bring a girl back to a hotel.

If you want a drink in your hotel room, supermarkets like Acima and Marjane carry a wide variety of liquor and wine, though the beer selection is fairly stunted. The best places to drink are either European-style restaurants, which usually have a decent selection, or hotel bars, which are inevitably safer and more relaxed. Many western-style nightclubs exist in the Maarif and Gironde neighborhoods. Pubs will cost around 100 dirhams per head, it will be half if visited in the happy hours from 7PMto 11PM. Pubs to visit Tiger House, La Notte. Kasbar, 7 Rue Najib Mahfoud, Gauthier (On a street between Blvd Anfa and Blvd Souktani.), ☎ +212 022 20 47 47. A dark and atmospheric place to grab a drink or dinner. Any kind of attire will fly, but if you want to dress up, a night at Kasbar is your chance. edit La Bodega, Rue Mohammed 5 (Near the old downtown and Medina). A Spanish tapas bar, quite original.

There can be a wait to get into the basement bar; but once you get inside, you're rewarded with bartenders who eat fire. It's pretty expensive, though, and only frequented by tourists. edit Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Atlas Airport Hotel, Close to the airport (There is normally a bus waiting outside the airport building), ☎ +212522536200, [5] . A modern hotel very close to the airport. This is the default accommodation for passengers with missed connections etc, so the price will most likely be covered by the airline. Food is basic but adequate. Wireless internet is available in a few places in the building, but you have to search for the signal - try the ground floor near the gift shop. edit Budget[ edit ] There are some Budget options (150-300 Dirham for a double room) near the Tram Station "Station marché Central". You may take a Taxi from Casa Voyageur directly to this station for about 10 dirham metered fare. YHI Hostel, Boulevard des Almohades (in the medina, on the right if you look at the Hotel Central).

By far the cheapest options, with his 80 dirhams per dormitory. It's a YHI hostel it means it's cheap and not fancy but who cares. There is a gigantic common space. Around many cafes and restaurants. 80 Dh for the dormitory. (,7°37'02.4 W) edit Hotel Terminus, Ave Bahmad, Place de la Gare, Casa-Voyageurs (150 meters to West from the train station). Located directly across from the Casa Voyageurs train station, this hostel is not a cheap option for travelers watching their cash. The price is very high for what it is. 250 DH for a 2 bed room with a sink. There are communal toilets on each floor and a shower behind the reception desk. Stay here only if you don't have another choice because all things in the hotel are very old and very dirty I could not sleep at all. ~180 Dh. (33 35' 24 N,7 35' 35 W) edit Hotel Central, 20 Place Ahmad el Bidaoui (on the port side of the Medina.

Ask your taxi driver for the Auberge de Jeunesse which is on the same square). Located in the Old Medina, this simple hotel is a good budget option. The owners are friendly and have been known to give complimentary cups of mint tea to weary travelers. Breakfast of tea/coffee, a boiled egg, olives, fresh bread from the medina, jam and yoghurt is one of the best offered by a budget hotel in Morocco. Good restaurants adjacent to the hotel. Keep your wits about you at night as the Medina isn't the safest area. 150-350 MAD. edit Ajiad Casablanca, Angle Rue Kamal Mohamed et Rue Fakir Med. This central hotel has 24 hour reception, free parking and air-conditioned rooms. 415 MAD. edit Hotel Astrid, 12, rue du 6 novembre (Casa tramway to Nations Unies station, then walk 5-10 minutes). This hotel has clean, reasonably spacious rooms with private bathrooms, a nice lobby, and attentive desk staff. Some rooms have balconies. Internet access in the lobby. Breakfast available.

Easy walking distance to medina and tramway, with good nightime street life (no fancy bars, no excessive noise, but lively, with cheap places to eat), and seemingly safe (well-lit, many couples, and frequent solo women). 285 MAD. edit Mid-range[ edit ] Ibis moussafir Casablanca, Avenue Bahmad, Place de la Gare, Casa-Voyageurs (Next to Casa-Voyageurs train station.), ☎ + 212 22 40 19 84, [6] . checkin: 12:00pm; checkout: 11:00am. Right next to Casa-Voyageurs train station. Excellent garden in the back, perfect for playing with kids. edit Splurge[ edit ] Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Place des Nations Unies (In the commercial district.), ☎ + 212 22 43 1234 ( sales.casablanca@hyattintl.com ), [7] . checkin: 12:00pm; checkout: 15:00pm.

You can choose rooms with views of Hassan II Mosque. Has a pool and several good restaurants. Live entertainment in the evenings. edit Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, Rue Sidi Belyout, ☎ +212 522456200, [8] . Considered a the best Luxury five star hotel in the Capital with over 141 rooms and 30 suites, with butler service and breathtaking views of the city and ocean, were designed by Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet. This is ideal for business trips or exploring the city. Located near the Old Medina and Hassan II Mosque and across the street from new stylish & brand new Gare Casa Port. 1980 MAD. edit Novotel Casablanca City Center, Angle Zaid Ouhmad, Rue Sidi Belyout, ☎ +212 522466500, [9] . A four star hotel with over 200 rooms, this is a great spot for conferences and people looking for a bit of luxury. Expansive buffet breakfast, although a touch pricey.

Located near the Old Medina and Hassan II Mosque and across the street from Gare Port. 950 MAD. edit Sheraton Casablanca Hotel & Towers, 100 Avenue Des F A R, ☎ 212 522 43 9494. This modern hotel houses 6 bars and restaurants and the popular nightclub, Caesar's. There's also an outdoor pool and a fitness center. 1,800 MAD. edit Hôtel les Saisons, 19, rue El Oraïbi Jilali (ex. rue de foucauld), ☎ 212 022 48 18 98 - 022 49 09 01/27/28/29. Luggage service, Concierge, Telephone, Internet, Fitness, Lounge bar, Cities Reestaurant Individual safe box, Mini bar, Room service, Laundry, Hair Dryer, Cable TV, Air conditioning € 65.

edit Le Royal Mansour Meridien, Avenue de l'Armée Royale, Casablanca 21000, Morocco, ☎ 020 7644 1755, [10] . Live in luxury with in-room movies and a 24 hour butler service ,relax at the spa with hammam and sauna, and immerse yourself in Moroccan culture at La Douira or the delightful conservatory of Le Jardin d'Hiver £629. edit Contact[ edit ] Casablanca is served by all of the mobile companies that can be found elsewhere in Morocco. Wana, Meditel, and Maroc Telecom are the most common. Mobile phones can be bought in any of these store's stands, and most do not run on calling plans. Rather, recharge cards can be bought in corner stores that contain a number to call. When that number is called, the company adds the price of the card to your account's balance. Alternatively, more than one SIM card can be bought and changed in and out of the phone, if users need more than one phone number.

SIM cards from Marco Telecom and Meditel are given out for free (at the airport, and by promoters who you can find standing around in the city wearing company uniforms). The free SIM cards come with a little bit of calling/texting/internet credit. However, these must be activated before you can use it, by calling 555 (automated system is in French only), or asking them to help you activate so you can call and use internet. You can add data to the plan for 10DH for 1GB of data. These can be purchased at stores, or ask for help from the telecom people. Internet Internet cafes : Internet access is available in cyber cafes around the city. Service is usually around 1€ per hour. Wifi : You'll find wifi access in many hotels and in some places such as America Café or La Brioche Dorée, usually those labelled a bit "trendy" Mobile Internet : Phone companies offer mobile internet services that plug into the USB port of your computer (currently, there are no mac-compatible devices.) These services can be had without signing a contract, and are recharged in the same manner as a telephone.

Stay safe[ edit ] Almost all of the things to see in Casablanca are in the north of the city; very few maps even show the southern end of this sprawling metropolis. Common sense will alleviate 99% of problems; try to look as little like a tourist as possible, do not flash large quantities of cash, and so on. Faux guides are much less of a problem here than in the rest of Morocco and are limited mainly to the area around the Old Medina. It is inadvisable to walk alone in Casablanca at night. Women, as in all Moroccan cities, should dress modestly to avoid harassment (which almost always consists of lewd comments, but nothing physical.) Cope[ edit ] Casablanca is unlikely to provide North American or European travellers with any headaches. Despite being a major population center and seat of commerce, the majority of the town is less than 50 years old and could easily be mistaken for Los Angeles or Madrid. Food is as European as it gets in Morocco, with pizzas and hamburgers as frequent as tajines and couscous.

In some areas, such as the Maarif and Gironde neighborhoods, seeing a man in a djellaba or a donkey pulling a cart of vegetables are rarities. If even the trappings of Moroccan culture such as these are too much for you, any hotel bar or restaurant is going to be just like home for a few hours. Consulates[ edit ] Greece, 48 Blvd Rachidi, ☎ +212 522 277-142 ( grcon.cas@mfa.gr , fax: +212 522 272-412). edit United States of America, 8 Blvd Moulay Youssef, ☎ +212 22 26 71 51 (After hours emergencies +212 (661) 17 23 67, acscasablanca@state.gov ), [11] . M-Th 8:30AM-9:30AM and 1:30PM-3PM.

edit United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Villa Les Sallurges 36 rue de la Loire – Polo, ( british.consulate2@menara.ma ), [12] . edit France, 1, rue du Prince Moulay Abdallah, [13] . edit Get out[ edit ] The majority of travellers leaving Morocco from Casablanca will leave from the Mohammed V airport (accessible by train [14] Leaving Casablanca for other Moroccan cities is likely to be by rail: the main train station is Casa Voyageur (as opposed to Casa Port, which is a special side stop not served by many trains.) Grand taxis are the best way to exit the city for smaller outlying villages. There are no boat or ferry services available in Casablanca. You may take Supratours or CTM coaches that travels through out Morocco.

[15] Morocco travel guide Morocco Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see PAON Farid LAHDILI About Morocco Morocco (the full Arabic name is Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah which translates into "The Western Kingdom" ) is located on the North West coast of Africa and has ports in the North Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It is the third most populous Arab country. Morocco shares the largest part of its border with Algeria to the East and Western Saharah to the South. Morocco is divided into sixteen regions Each region is further divided into provinces and prefectures. The capital of Morocco is Rabat and its largest city is Casablanca. The national Currency is the Moroccan Dirham. Getting Here For U.S. citizens and British citizens, passports are required for entry into Morocco, but a visa is not required for stays up to three months. Mohammed V International Airport (CMD) is the main international airport and is located in Nouasseur, which is approximately 25 km (15 miles) from Casablanca. There are also some 60 regional airports throughout the country.

Royal Air Maroc is the national air carrier. For U.S. travelers, Delta and Continental offer regularly scheduled flights. From the United Kingdom and Europe, flights are offered by Air France, Easy Jet, and Ryanair into many Moroccan destinations. For domestic flights within Morocco, travelers rely upon the company called Regional Air Lines. Travelling to Morocco is also accomplished by ship with cruise lines, such as Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, offering itineraries with regular stops at Morocco’s main port in Casablanca. For more information about travel, see our flights and hotels sections. There is certainly no shortage of great attractions in Morocco. The Country enjoys a strong sense of culture and a long and ancient history. The cool blue water flowing over the sand of the beaches is a direct contrast with the hot white sands of the desert, while the greens of fertile valleys contrast with the browns and whites of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The country is romantic and mysterious and there is little wonder that Morocco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. There is a never ending list of Moroccan attractions for the average visitor to enjoy and you will really need to do your homework to ensure that you make the most of your travels in this vast and varied country.

The main starting points are the more popular cities such as Marrakech, Tangier, Fes and Casablanca. At each of these places, you will find the usual hodgepodge mixture of medinas, bazaars and riads. You will also find superb beaches and classy hotels where a hubbly-bubbly pipe may be arranged with relative ease. All these things are an essential part of the Moroccan experience and should not be missed. There are also a number of excellent attractions in Morocco that a visitor should definitely make the effort to See. Contributors Morocco Morocco COUNTRY OVERVIEW LOCATION AND SIZE. Morocco is located in the northwestern corner of the African continent. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and Algeria to the east and southeast. The Strait of Gibraltar separates it from Spain at its northern tip. Its southern border is the Sahara Desert. With an area of 446,550 square kilometers (172,413 square miles) and a coastline of 1,835 kilometers (1,140 miles), Morocco is slightly larger than California.

Morocco's capital city, Rabat, is located in the northwest of the country overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Other major cities are Casablanca on the Atlantic Ocean, Marrakech (the business capital) in the center, and Tangier in the north, on the Strait of Gibraltar. POPULATION. Morocco's population was estimated at 30,122,350 in July of 2000, an increase of 1.2 percent from the 1990 population of 24,043,000. In 2000, Morocco's birth rate stood at 24.6 births per 1,000, while the death rate was reported at 6.02 per 1,000. The majority of the population are Muslim. Almost one-third of the population are Berbers, who are mostly concentrated in the Rif and Atlas mountains. Morocco has a sizeable community (1.7 million) of expatriates living abroad, mostly in France, Spain, and Italy.

The growth rate of Morocco's population has slowed down since the 1990s, averaging 1.6 percent between 1995 and 1999, down from 2.5 percent in the preceding decade. With a projected growth rate of 1.4 percent between 2000 and 2015, the population is expected to reach 41 million by 2029. The population is generally young, with some 23 percent under the age of 15. Like people in many developing countries, a majority of Moroccans live in urban areas. The population of urban areas has grown significantly since the 1960s. Casablanca, Marrakech, and other major urban centers are home to some 54.5 percent of the country's people. AGRICULTURE FARMING. The labor-intensive agricultural sector is largely underdeveloped and inefficient, as a result of the high cost of energy, credit, and land, and a scarcity of investment. Only 1 million hectares of a total of 8.7 million hectares of cultivated land are irrigated.

About 90 percent of the land, mostly comprised of small land holdings, is dependent on rainwater. A small fraction of the cultivated land, some 1 million hectares is comprised of modern export-oriented farms that produce 80 percent of Morocco's citrus and wine production, 33 percent of its vegetable output, and 15 percent of its cereals production. These irrigated farms, concentrated in the Gharb plain around Fez and Meknes, the Doukkala plain around Casablanca, and the Beni Mellal and Berkane areas, also produce tomatoes, potatoes, and beet and cane sugar, as well as oil and olive oil for export. In addition to legal agricultural products, Morocco is a major producer and exporter of cannabis (marijuana), which is mostly concentrated in the northern Rif region. Major agricultural products include dairy products, meat, fruit, and vegetables, in which Morocco is self-sufficient. Morocco is also a producer of grains, which are grown on 68 percent of the cultivated land, plus sugar, oils and tea, but production is rarely sufficient to meet domestic demand. As a result, and depending on annual winter rainfall, Morocco imports the bulk of its cereals.

According to the EIU, harvests range from around 10 million to under 2 million metric tons annually and have averaged 5.8 million metric tons since 1990. Agriculture production has dropped significantly since 1998, due to drought conditions, prompting the government to increase customs duties on wheat imports to protect local farmers. FISHERIES. The fishing industry is also a major contributor to the economy, accounting for an average of US$600 million in export earnings. Morocco's fishing industry is underdeveloped and is forced to compete with European companies. It is also overexploited, which has prompted the government to impose periodic bans on the harvesting certain types of fish. Since 1997, the government has been attempting to revamp and upgrade the fishing industry. Several new ports, at Dakhla, Boujdour and Layoun, among other places, are to be built as part of the plan, and the government is reportedly seeking joint ventures with foreign investors, mainly in Japan and France, to replace the government's fisheries agreement with the European Union, which expired at the end of 1999. INDUSTRY MINING.

Phosphates account for 95 percent of Morocco's output by volume. mining. Phosphates, raw and manufactured, are the country's main exports, managed by the state-owned Office Cherifien des Phosphates. The export of phosphates and phosphate products accounted for US$1.4 billion in 1999, or about 18.5 percent of total earnings from exports. With three-quarters of the earth's phosphate reserves after the United States and Russia (11 billion metric tons of known reserves and 58 billion metric tons of probable reserves), Morocco is the world's third largest producer of phosphates and the largest exporter of phosphate rock. Phosphates are mined in Khourigba, Youssoufia, and the Western Saharan mine of Boucraa and Benguerir. A new mine at El Gantour, south of Rabat, will soon start production. Phosphate revenue has increased steadily since 1996, the first profitable year for the industry, reaching US$44 per metric ton in 1999, up from US$33-35 per metric ton in 1993-95.

Mining and processing capacity have increased steadily over the past years, and a 30-percent expansion is planned in 2001. Since 1996, the government has shifted focus toward marketing its phosphate products through joint ventures with foreign companies, mainly French and Belgian. In addition to phosphates, Morocco is a major producer and exporter of industrial minerals and base metals. It produces silver, zinc, cobalt, copper, fluorine, lead, barite, iron, and anthracite. In contrast to the state-controlled phosphate sector, the extraction and processing of most of these minerals is in private hands, and efforts are currently underway to privatize the rest, especially the silver and lead mines, by 2002. A comprehensive survey of minerals across the country is also underway with the help of French, British, South African, and Canadian companies MANUFACTURING. The manufacturing sector is an important and growing contributor to the Moroccan economy. The sector has steadily grown by an average of 1.9 percent a year between 1994 and 1998. Production increased by 2.8 percent in 1999 and is likely to maintain that upward trend in 2001.

The government adopted a new investment law in 1981 to encourage domestic and foreign investment in the industrial sector. These efforts gained added momentum with the launch of the privatization program in the early 1990s. A plan to modernize the sector and upgrade existing companies to meet European standards was launched in 1997. These efforts have been largely successful in attracting foreign investment. Major U.S. companies, such as Microsoft, Compaq, and Oracle, have a presence in the country. Manufacturing industries are mainly concentrated in Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Tangier, and Settat. In recent years, considerable investment has been made in cement works and sugar factories to meet the major part of local demand. Plans are also underway to develop steel production in the city of Nador and the production of chemicals and fertilizers in the El Jadida region. Morocco's industrial base consists mostly of food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and the processing of phosphate rock into phosphoric acid and fertilizers.

Since the early 1980s, the output of textile production, mostly done under contract with European companies, has grown by 5 times, from US$120 million in 1980 to US$570 million in 1990. Growth in the clothing sector slowed down in the late 1990s, due to declining domestic purchasing power and lower world demand, but the sector is expected to continue to grow in the future. The pharmaceutical industry, which mostly relies on imported raw material, is also a growing sector, although most of its output is consumed domestically. SERVICES TOURISM. Tourism is important to the health of the Moroccan economy, generating approximately US$1.98 billion and employing some 600,000 people in 2000. Tourism is Morocco's second greatest foreign-currency earner after remittances by Moroccan expatriates and has been identified as the second most important growth sector in the country. The tourism sector's growth, however, has been stifled by a combination of factors, including the lack of investment in hotel capacity and personnel training.

Regional events, such as the civil war in neighboring Algeria, have also adversely affected the sector, as evidenced in the decline in the number of tourists in 1991 out of concerns about the spillover of the conflict into Morocco. Since the mid-1990s, however, the government has moved to revitalize the sector by attracting foreign capital, rescheduling part of hotel debts, and reducing the tax burden. The government also plans to set up a special tourist police force to insure safety. Several state-owned hotels were sold to private investors, mainly foreign companies from France and the United Kingdom. Worldwide hotel chains, such as the Sheraton, Hilton and Intercontinental, have a presence in Morocco, but the majority of hotels are locally owned. The government has been actively encouraging the development of tourism, mainly in the cities of Agadir and Marrakech. As a result, a 10 percent increase in the number of tourists visiting the country was recorded in 1998. Plans are currently underway to double the number of tourists to 4 million and raise gross revenue to US$6 billion by 2005. FINANCIAL SERVICES. Morocco's banking system is comprehensive.

Despite government efforts since the early 1990s to reform the financial sector and improve banking regulations, restrictions continue to be in place, especially on the movement of capital. The conversion of the dirham into a fully convertible currency , originally set for 1997, has also been delayed. Morocco requires the majority shares in commercial banks to be owned by Moroccans. Most of the country's 14 commercial banks are partly owned by European banks. Since 1996, foreign banks have been able to buy and sell foreign currency at market rates, due to the new interbank foreign exchange market set up that same year. Morocco has a single stock exchange, the Bourse Valeurs de Casablanca, which is the third largest in Africa after South Africa and Cairo. The market, managed by 13 brokerage companies, was privatized in 1996 and has been regulated by an independent commission since. Although full foreign participation in the market is allowed, foreign investments constitute only 10 percent of overall investment. At the end of 1999, the Casablanca stock exchange recorded a 5.2 percent correction, largely due to previous overvaluation.

Efforts were underway in 2001 to attract foreign investment by upgrading its infrastructure . CONSTRUCTION. The construction sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Growth in this sector has been fueled by public works (construction by the government) and the private construction of affordable housing units to alleviate the chronic shortages in housing, especially in urban areas. In 1994, the government launched an ambitious construction project to build 200,000 housing units. Although the program has failed to reach its target, the construction activity is likely to continue. New internationally funded initiatives were announced in 1999. These include a US$80 million project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development to construct new housing to replace shantytowns in major cities and a US$75 million construction project to rehabilitate the city of Fez. RETAIL. Morocco has a poorly developed retail sector. While the major cities sport a variety of retail stores, including fast-food franchises such as McDonald's, which operate alongside souks (traditional markets), most towns in the interior of the country have small family-owned shops, farmers' markets, and temporary roadside stands. DEPENDENCIES Morocco has no territories or colonies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Economist Intelligence Unit. Country Profile: Morocco. London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 2000. Horton, Brendan. Morocco: Analysis and Reform of Economic Policy. Washington, DC: World Bank, 1990. "Morocco." Tradeport. < . Accessed February, 2001. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook 2001. < . Accessed October 2001. U.S. Department of State. FY 2001 Country Commercial Guide: Morocco. < . Accessed February 2001. —Reem Nuseibeh Rabat. MONETARY UNIT: Moroccan dirham (Dh). One Moroccan dirham equals 100 centimes. There are coins of 1, 5, and 10 dirhams, and 10, 20, and 50 centimes. Notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 dirhams. CHIEF EXPORTS: Phosphates and fertilizers, food and beverages, minerals.

CHIEF IMPORTS: Semi-processed goods, machinery and equipment, food and beverages, consumer goods, fuel. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: US$105 billion (purchasing power parity, 2000 est.). BALANCE OF TRADE: Nov 16, 2011 @ 10:10 am this really helped me with my french project! so much info but easy to understand Nathan Jan 23, 2012 @ 1:01 am This was truly a wondrous job. Helped me vastly on my Model United Nations Project. Hope more people read this and help to edit it in depth. Ryan Feb 29, 2012 @ 12:12 pm I need the education Please I need it to finish my assighnment so please put up the education Hannah May 2, 2012 @ 6:18 pm This is helping me so much on my project in S.S. I picked the most wonderful country of them all. MOROCCO!

Morocco Map / Geography of Morocco / Map of Morocco - Worldatlas.com Print this map Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, has a history rich in Berber, Arab, African and European cultural influences. Neolithic hunters were the first to settle the coastal region of Morocco some 8,000 years ago, and flourished until 4000 BC. The Berber kingdom of Mauretania was the earliest known Moroccan state, and was ruled by Bocchus I. Under the command of Uqba ibn Nafi of the Umayyads the first Islamic conquest of North Africa occurred in 670 AD, and their language, system of government and Islam quickly spread to Morocco. Even after the Arab ruling had diminished, the Berbers slowly continued to convert to Islam, and the first Muslim state, the Kingdom of Nekor, was founded in the Rif Mountains in 710.

About a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa , successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco, and during the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad Al-Mansur (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. Moulay Ali Cherif founded the Alaouite Dynasty in 1631, which still remains today as Morocco's current royal family. Ismail Ibn Sharif organized and unified Morocco during his reign from 1672 to 1727. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode. In 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country, and under their ruling the natives were denied many freedoms. The children of noble Moroccan families were given a French education, however the rise of this young intellectual class produced a nationalist movement intent on restoring the country to its own people. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year.

Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Upon independence, Morocco restored itself as a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The king has extensive executive powers and, in addition to various other privileges, can deploy the military and dissolve the government. The current King, Mohammad VI, assumed the throne in July 1999, following the death of his father, King Hassan II, who ruled from 1961 until 1999. A number of opposition political parties have been formed in the past several years, which are legal. Arab Spring protests reached Morocco in February 2011, and citizens gathered in Rabat protesting for a new constitution. By July of that same year, King Mohammed VI won a victory on a reformed constitution he initially proposed to appease the protestors. Demonstrations continued through 2012 by citizens pushing for deeper reforms, and accusing the government of failing to deliver. Morocco was the first country in North Africa to install a 3G network. Offshore service centers and IT activities, by 2015, will contribute over $500 million to the country's GDP.

Morocco is the world's largest exporter of phosphate and the third-largest producer of phosphorous. It currently has a population of 1,655,753. See Also Rabat | national capital, Morocco | Britannica.com national capital, Morocco Rabat, Arabic Ribāṭ , city and capital of Morocco . One of the country’s four imperial cities, it is located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Wadi Bou Regreg, opposite the city of Salé . Mouth of the Wadi Bou Regreg and the medina (old city) of Rabat, Morocco. © Michael Hynes Northern view of Avenue Muḥammad V, Rabat, Mor. © Michael Hynes The history of Rabat is closely connected to that of Salé, the site of which was first occupied by the Roman settlement of Sala (Shella). During the 10th century, Salé was established by the Zanātah Imazighen ( Berbers ), who were Sunni Muslims, to house the nonconformist Barghawāṭah Imazighen.

Rabat itself was founded in the 12th century by ʿAbd al-Muʾmin , the first Almohad ruler, as a ribāṭ (fortified monastery) at which to quarter the troops for his jihad (holy war) in Spain . He later abandoned his efforts in Spain in order to concentrate his efforts on the conquest of North Africa . It was the third Almohad sultan, Abū Yūsuf Yaʿqūb al-Manṣūr , who named the place Ribāṭ al-Fatḥ (“Camp of Conquest”), from which the name of the present city is derived. He also erected the great fortified wall within which the modern town has developed, and he began construction of an enormous mosque, of which the notable Tower of Hassān, its half-completed minaret, remains. After 1609 the unified community of Rabat-Salé became the home of large numbers of Andalusian Moors who had been driven from Spain and, later, of the so-called Sallee Rovers, the most dreaded of the Barbary pirates (also known as corsairs).

Under the French, Rabat was made the administrative capital, and, upon Moroccan independence, it was designated, together with Salé, an urban prefecture; it now embraces an area of 492 square miles (1,275 square km). The half-completed Hassān Tower (minaret) looming above the pedestals of the unfinished … © Michael Hynes Ifrane The old town, still surrounded by ramparts, lies near the coast. Within its fortifications are the medina (old Muslim town) and the millah (Jewish quarter). To the north, on a cliff above the Bou Regreg, stands the 17th-century fortress of Casbah des Oudaïa, with a splendid 12th-century Almohad gateway, an Andalusian garden, and an adjoining madrasah (religious college) that houses a museum of Moroccan art. Southeast of the old town are a number of outstanding historical structures, including the Tower of Hassān and the foundations of its never-completed mosque, across from which is located the mausoleum of Muḥammad V . Mausoleum of Muḥammad V, Rabat, Mor.

© Michael Hynes To the southwest of the old town are an archaeological museum and the city gate, Bab al-Rouah, also dating from the Almohad rule. The modern quarter of Rabat is partly enclosed by the fortified wall. Relatively modern structures, including a royal palace built in the 1950s, Muḥammad V University (founded 1957), the national library, and various administrative buildings, are located in the city’s southern outskirts. Various national embassies can be found throughout the modern city, and a number of international organizations have offices there. Bab al-Rouah, Rabat, Mor. Rabat - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The capital of Morocco, Rabat is a planned city of wide boulevards and handsome public buildings and gardens. The Moroccan king lives in his palace there for part of the year. Rabat is situated on the Atlantic coastal plain at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. A highway and a railroad connect the city with Casablanca about 60 miles (97 kilometers) to the southwest.

Yearly rainfall in Rabat averages 21 inches (53 centimeters), most of which falls in January and February. The weather is mild year-round, with a mean January temperature of about 53 F (12 C) and a mean July temperature of 71 F (22 C). Article History Morocco Population (2016) - World Population Review World Population Review Morocco Population 2016 [[getCurrentPopulation()]] Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the most western of the North African countries with an alternative Arabic name that translates to "The Western Kingdom." The country has an area of 710,850 square kilometers (274,460 square miles) with an estimated 2014 population of 33,063,250, up from 2013's estimate of 32,649,130. The majority of Morocco's population lives to the west of the Atlas Mountains, a large range that protects the country from the Sahara Desert.

The commerce center of the country and the most populous city is Casablanca with 3,000,000 residents, although the political capital is Rabat, home to 1.4 million citizens. Other major cities include the gateway city of Tangier, the religious center of Fez and the tourist center of Marrakech. The urban population of Morocco was 58% of the total population as of 2010, with a rate of urbanization at 2.1% annual rate of change. Morocco Demographics Morocco is a demographically young country with 27% of its population under the age of 15, 18% between the ages of 15 and 24, 42% between 25 and 54 years old, 7% between the ages of 55 and 64 and just 6% 65 years and older. The median age of Moroccans is just 27 years old. The vast majority of Moroccans are Suuni Muslims, primarily of Arab-Berber, Arabized Berber, Berber and Nigero-Congo ethnic background.

The country itself was inhabited by Berbers since at least 5,000 years ago, while Arabs conquered the land that later became Morocco in the 7th and 11th centuries, when the area was inhabited mostly by indigineous Berber and Romano-Berber peoples. Arabs and Berbers currently account for around 99.1% of the Moroccan population. While the indigenous Berbers, though mostly Arabized, still make up the majority of the population, there is a rather sizable population that identifies as Haratin or Gnawa, black or of mixed race. The Jewish minority of Morocco, which numbered as high as 248,000 in 1948, has decreased significantly with a small population estimated at 5,000. Most of the estimated 100,000 foreign residents in Morocco are also French, while France is home to the largest concentration of Moroccan migrants outside of Morocco. A percentage of the population is descended from colonists, working mostly for large European countries, while others settled in the country. Before its independence, Morocco was home to more than 500,000 Europeans.

Morocco has a birth rate of 18.73 births per 1,000 people, placing it 101st in the world. Meanwhile, its death rate stands at 4.78 deaths per 1,000 people in 2013, ranking 195th in the world. The country has a comparatively high life expectancy of 76 years with a fertility rate of 2.17 children born per woman. Current Local Time in Casablanca, Morocco Current Local Time in Casablanca, Morocco Lat/Long: 33°36'N / 7°37'W Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) Sun in South: 12:42 pm Altitude: 36.4° Mohammed V International Airport, CMN About 16 mi S of Casablanca Rabat-Salé Airport, RBA

Question: What is the name of Morocco's capital, which is 60 miles north of Casablanca?
Answer: Rabat