79 Morocco Facts That Will Absolutely Astound You

Morocco is a lovely country in North Africa that is attracting a lot of attention from tourists in recent times.

This fascinating country is a perfect amalgamation of beautiful landscapes, colorful culture, and breathtaking architecture. One cannot get enough of this country as there is always something new to explore.

Morocco's economy is mostly contributed to by its tourism and hence the country is well-designed for people from all over the world. Although the country has modernized considerably in the last few decades, you can still find the reflection of its traditions and customs in most places.

The capital city of Morocco, Rabat is the only city in north Africa that has coastal exposure. The Moroccan government is taking a lot of effort in putting the country on the global map. And after reading these 79 Moroccan facts, you would be thrilled to visit this country!

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Tourist Attractions In Morocco

Morocco's economy majorly depends on tourism. This northern African country is blessed with varied geography. Apart from the paradisiacal beaches and sweeping deserts, Morocco is a haven for mountain lovers!

Check out these interesting facts about the tourist attractions in Morocco.

Of all the Moroccan cities, the blue city of Chefchaouen is a tourist favorite. Most of this village is painted in blue and hence, this city is called the blue pearl of Morocco or the blue city of Morocco.

Another lovely Moroccan city that you must visit is Marrakesh. Marrakesh is called the red city as most of the buildings here are made from clay and sandstone and are naturally red in color.

Did you know that there are more than 10 million tourists who visit Morocco every year? Most of the visitors are from European countries, the USA, and Canada. The Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert and this lines Morocco on one side. You should definitely plan a trip to the Sahara if you visit the country.

Morocco has various beaches too. It has the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The coastal regions are calming and well-maintained. One of the hidden secrets about Morocco is that people believe Morocco was founded about 300,000 'years ago when Hercules smashed open the strait of Gibraltar.

This lovely country in north Africa is the favorite of movie makers. A lot of popular movies like The Mummy, Gladiator, Exorcist: The Beginning, and War Dogs were shot here. Morocco has a ski resort! Oukaïmeden is the largest ski resort in Morocco and the slope is around 6.2 mi (10 km) in length.

Morocco is majorly a Muslim country. About 99% of people who live there are Muslims. However, the people are welcoming and they treat people of all religions and beliefs equally. Women in Morocco usually cover their heads while coming out. But this is not a requisite for tourists.

The High Atlas mountain region is the highest part of the Atlas Mountains and is located in Morocco. This point offers incredible tourist spots for travelers. The Hassan II mosque is the second-largest functioning mosque in Africa and this also has the world's second minaret! The Hassan II mosque is a must-visit tourist spot in the country and is located in Casablanca.

Many ancient cities in Morocco are major tourist attractions. Make sure you check out Lixus, Volubilis, Aït-ben-Haddou, and Sala Colonia - Chellah when you visit the country. Some of the tourist attractions in the capital city of Rabat are the Royal Palace, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower, and Oudayas.

When it comes to Morocco's university list, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is very special. It was established in a mosque and according to UNESCO, this is the oldest university in the world. Here is another interesting Morocco fact that you may not know. 26 beaches in Morocco are awarded the blue flag. This flag is awarded to very few pure and clean beaches globally that are safe to visit.

If you visit the Sahara desert in Morocco, one of the most popular activities to try out is camel safaris. Most of these safaris include a camel ride and an overnight stay in a tent. The coastline bordering the Atlantic ocean in Morocco spans 310.7 mi (500 km). Most of the towns and villages on the Atlantic coast are great places to explore and are upgraded to attract tourists.

Plan Azur is an initiative by the Moroccan government to boost tourism in the country. The plan had great visions but failed to take off due to financial and marketing difficulties. If you are from places like the United States, UK, Australia, or Japan, you may stay in Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa. The visa requirements may change with time. Do check before you travel.

Morocco Economy

The Moroccan economy is driven by tourism and agriculture. Here are some of Morocco's economic facts that might intrigue you.

Morocco is an independent nation and it joined the United Nations in November 1956. Did you know that this was the first decision taken after Morocco gained independence? This independent country is a part of the African Union. Morocco was admitted into the union in 2017. 54 other member states that make up the African Union.

The latest population of Morocco is 37,518,600. Surveys show that of this total population, about 84,000 are immigrants. The current prime minister of Morocco is Aziz Akhannouch. He took charge in October 2021.

Morocco is the first country to have started trading with the USA when it was newly formed in 1776. The trading connection still holds strong. Most sellers in Morocco do not accept card payments. When you enter the city, it is better you withdraw cash and carry it with you.

One Moroccan dirham is worth 10 US cents. Hence, this country is considered a very affordable place to visit. As of 2020, Morocco's exports were valued at $44 billion. Some of the common products exported are clothing, aircraft parts, automobile parts, chemicals, crude minerals, and petroleum products.

Morocco's economy has improved, thanks to its argan oil exports. Did you know that the country now exports close to 700 tons (635 m ton) of argan oil to different countries? After flight services were introduced between Morocco and Algeria, a lot of people from Algeria have started flying to Morocco to shop, thus, boosting its economical growth.

About 20% of the people in Morocco are employed in the tourism sector. Did you know that about 40% of Morocco's population are farmers or involved in some part of the agricultural process? Morocco's government has realized the importance of tourism in improving its economy. As a result, the country spent $15 billion on improving its roads and basic infrastructure between 2010 and 2015.

The Rif mountain is a part of northern Morocco. Cannabis is cultivated here and this contributes to 0.57% of the national GDP! Morocco exports tangerines and oranges in abundance every year. In 2020-2021, the country exported 1328285.13 tons (1205000 m ton) of tangerines and mandarins and 1212542.4 tons (1100000 m tons) of oranges.

The Moroccan flag has a red field with a green star in the center. This flag is in use since 1915. The green five-pointed star in the flag is based on the five pillars of Islam. This star represents the seal of Solomon. Buying or selling drugs is illegal in the country.

According to Islamic law, you can be punished if you insult or degrade Islam in public in the country. As a tourist, it is recommended you appreciate the local rules and laws. Moroccan culture is a mix of Arabian, Roman, Phoenician, and Sub-Saharan African cultures. Their cultural imprints are reflected in their choices of food, habits, clothing, and lifestyle.

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco. This is also a commercial port and hub and is the center for a majority of the export and import activities. Western Sahara is a disputed territory. About 80% of western Sahara is managed by Morocco while the remaining 20% is kept in control by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Tourists can't enter western Sahara without a passport.

Food In Morocco

The food in Morocco is a beautiful mix of different cultures. You can enjoy scrumptious, hearty, and tasty food options here. Check out these food facts about Morocco.

Tea is a commonly served drink in the country and wherever you go, you will be served with green tea that is prepared using fresh mint, sugar, and hot water. This is called mint tea. Did you know that mint tea is the national drink of Morocco? Mint tea is consumed throughout the day by adults and children.

It is in Moroccan culture that when a guest visits a Moroccan home, the male head of the family prepares fresh green tea and serves at least three cups to the guest. Did you know that public consumption of alcohol is banned in most places in the country?

Even though the country bans public drinking of alcohol, it produces up to 40 million bottles of wines every year for export! Moroccan cuisine mostly consists of beef, poultry, and vegetables. Moroccans love their food and have hearty meals three times a day!

Don't leave Morocco without trying the couscous. Couscous is balls of semolina that are cooked with vegetables and meat and served as a stew. Morocco is very popular for its citrus fruits. The Moroc Late and Navels are two types of oranges grown in abundance in the country.

Another of the popular Morocco facts that you should know is that Moroccans love spices and use cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, aniseed, cumin, and saffron very commonly in their foods. Sardines are the most exported foods from Morocco. Moroccans love sardines and use them frequently in their meals.

Most Moroccans have bread, beyssara (a type of stewed beans) and spongy semolina pancakes called baghrir for breakfast. While some of the restaurants do have silverware for tourists, if you visit the homes of Moroccans, they usually eat with their hands, sitting at low tables.

Since the northern African countries have an abundance of date palms, many of the sweets consumed in Morocco contains dates. Date cakes are available in all restaurants and stores. Tagine is another popular food in Morocco. This is a type of stew cooked using meat, vegetables, and spices.

Though Morocco produces a lot of fruits, vegetables, and seafood, about 40% of all grains and flour that it uses are imported from countries like France and the United States.

Languages In Morocco

Thanks to its diversity, people in Morocco speak at least two different languages and are comfortable understanding several others. Do you know these Moroccan language facts?

Here is another unknown Morocco fact for you. There are two official languages in Morocco which is Tamazight and Standard Arabic. However, there is a slightly different version of Arabic spoken in Morocco, often called the Darija.

Though not one of the official languages, Darija is equally popular and is widely spoken and understood throughout the country. About six million people in the country speak Berber. Therefore, a lot of people include Berber in the list of national languages.

Since the country is close to Europe, a lot of people in the country can speak or at least understand French. About 63% of people in the country can speak and understand French and consider it their second language.

About 20% of the population in the country has a basic understanding of English and can respond to you well. Some parts of Morocco like Tangier and Tetouan have natives who can speak Spanish. About 10% of the population are comfortable speaking and understanding this language.

Berbers are a group of ethnic people who live in Morocco. They have their own language and culture. These people live in mountains or farms and keep to themselves. If you are interested in studying Islam, there are a lot of established universities in Morocco that teach Islamic studies.

Because of its close proximity to France, French is taught as a compulsory language in most schools in the country.

Biodiversity In Morocco

Morocco is rich in biodiversity and offers an abundance of natural bounty. Check out these interesting Moroccan biodiversity facts. There are a total of 24,000 species of animals in Morocco. The number was even higher a few decades back but the country lost quite a few species to extinction.

Morocco is especially known for its fish diversity. Unfortunately, because of the rise in fishery trade, the marine ecosystem is facing a threat. Problems like overirrigation, soil erosion, mining activities, and pollution are affecting the ecosystem in the country.

Argan oil is one of the most popular oils used in cosmetic products these days. The oil is great to improve the texture of hair. Did you know that the oil is sourced from Argan tree species that grows in Morocco?

An Argan tree survives for approximately 200 'years and in Morocco, arganeraie forests cover 3185.3 sq mi (8250 sq km) of area. This area is considered a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The Atlas Mountains is an expansive mountain range covering the north African country borders, including Morocco. A number of unique animals like the Atlas bear, north African Aurochs, and north African elephants used to live here. These species are all, unfortunately, extinct now.

Morocco's designated national animal is the Barbary Lion. The animal is featured in most official souvenirs of Morocco. A number of Barbary lion species used to inhabit the forests of the Atlas Mountains in the past. Unfortunately, this national animal is extinct in the wild, though a few of them are found in national parks in captivity.

The Atlas Mountains that line Morocco are home to lovely Atlas Cedar trees and Algerian oak trees. Toubkal National Park is a national park located in the high Atlas mountains in Morocco. The national park offers astounding views of flora and fauna and the eco-museum in the park is a must-visit place.

This is one of the Morocco facts you definitely would not have known before. There are a total of 454 species of birds that you can spot in Morocco. About 156 of them are rare and you will be lucky if you spot them.

Morocco's forests provide enough timber and paper that are exported to various other countries.

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