Morocco

Understand

Politics and government The only constitutional monarchy in North Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco is made up of 12 regions. It has one of the largest economies in Africa, and is an important player in Arab affairs.

Name transcriptions Arabic: المملكة المغربية, al-mamlaka al-maḡribiyya Berber: ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ, Tageldit n lmeɣrib French: Royaume du Maroc

History

The earliest known independent state of Morocco was the Berber Kingdom of Mauretania under King Baga. This kingdom dates back at least to 300 BCE. From the 1st century BCE, Morocco was part of the Roman Empire as Mauretania Tingitana. Christianity was introduced in the 2nd century CE and gained converts in the Roman towns, among slaves and Berber farmers. In the 5th century CE, as the Roman Empire declined, the region was invaded from the north by the Vandals and later the Visigoths. In the 6th century, northern Morocco became part of the Byzantine Empire. Throughout this time, however, the Berber inhabitants in the high mountains of the interior remained independent. In 670 CE, the first Islamic conquest of the North African coastal plain took place under Uqba ibn Nafi, a general serving under the Umayyads. The indigenous Berber tribes adopted Islam, but retained their customary laws. They also paid taxes and tribute to the new Muslim administration. The first independent Muslim state in the area of modern Morocco was the Kingdom of Nekor, an emirate in the Rif Mountains. It was founded by Salih I ibn Mansur in 710, as a client state. After the outbreak of the Berber Revolt in 739, the Berbers formed other independent states such as the Miknasa of Sijilmasa and the Barghawata. According to medieval legend, Idris Ibn Abdallah fled to Morocco after the Abbasids' massacre of the tribes in Iraq. He convinced

Getting there

Entry requirements Morocco's visa policy is relatively liberal compared to other African countries; the country has numerous visa-free arrangements. Nationals of the following countries can enter Morocco visa-free: Schengen member states, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Macau, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Niger, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. The Moroccan Embassy is usually the first port of call for tourists from countries needing a visa to enter Morocco. They charge the equivalent of UK £17 for a single entry and £26 for double or multiple entries. (Double or Multiple entries will be issued at the embassy's discretion). Visas are usually valid for three months and take around 5-6 working days to process. Visa requirements are completed application forms; four passport-size photos taken within the previous six months; a valid passport with at least one blank page and with a photocopy of the relevant data pages; Fee, payable by postal order only; a photocopy of all flight bookings and a photocopy of hotel reservation. Tourists can stay for up to 90 days, and visa extensions can be frustrating and time-consuming. (You may find it easier to duck into the Spanish-controlled Ceuta or Melilla and then re-enter Morocco for a new stamp). Anti-cholera vaccination certificates may be required of visitors coming from areas where this disease is prevalent and pets need a health certificate less than ten days old, and an anti-rabies certificate less than six months old.

By plane

Major airlines t

Getting around

With an area of 446,300 square kilometres (172,300 sq mi), Morocco is a relatively easy country to get around in. A trip from Taroudant to Rabat will easily take you 5½ hours by car, depending on traffic conditions.

By train

Trains are generally the best option because of their speed, frequency and comfort. However, the network is limited, though it travels to many of the main tourist destinations. Two of the main lines, which both operate hourly most of the day are the following:

Al Boraq high speed rail train, travelling between Tangier and Casablanca via Rabat and Kenitra. Between Tangier and Casablanca, trains take about 2 hours 20 minutes to complete the journey. Until further construction takes place, only the portion between Tangier and Kenitra is along high speed rail, where it travels at 300 km/h, and otherwise the trains travel around 160 km/h. Line between Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, Meknes, and Fez. While this is not a high speed train, much of journey is at 160 km/h. A branch line to Oujda starts at Sidi Kachem linking Meknes and Fez to the main lines. The rail network is operated by ONCF. Tickets can be purchased both online and at stations and they are very cheap compared to Europe. For examples, Casablanca to Marrakech: 146 dirham for second class, 180 first, 2 hours 39 minutes. The only drawback with Moroccan trains are that they are very frequently delayed, so don't count on the timetables if you are in a hurr