Facts About Morocco

Fun & interesting facts about Morocco:

Morocco is a sovereign nation in North Africa. it was also the cultural capital of the medieval Islamic world, with Islamic academics from all across the Arab world congregating here to debate religion and science. The country is connected with a rich history and culture, making it a one-of-a-kind destination worth visiting. In addition, this country has been controlled by various dynasties from the creation of the first Moroccan kingdom in 788 AD, with the present governing dynasty, the Alaouite dynasty, attaining control in 1631. Cities, palaces, fortresses, mosques, and other structures created by these numerous dynasties may be found all across the nation. Many of them are regarded as architectural marvels. Here are some of Morocco fun facts:

1. Africa’s highest ski resort is in Morocco:

We start our facts about Morocco with a spot Located about 80 km from Marrakech in Morocco, Oukaïmeden is a ski resort, the highest of its kind in Africa. It is located in the Atlas Mountains at an altitude between 8,500 ft and 10,500 ft. The ski resort has six ski lifts and other facilities to make skiing easier for skiers.

2. Morocco hosts the oldest continuously operating university in the world:

The University of Al Quaraouiyine is located in the Moroccan city of Fez. Fatima al-Fihri, the educated daughter of a wealthy merchant, founded it in 859. For a long time, the university was the Arab Muslim world’s preeminent educational and spiritual institution. This university was home to many eminent Arab intellectuals. The institution is now a member of the country’s state university system. This university’s major concentration is Islamic law and religious studies.

3. ibn Battuta was from Morocco:

Morocco was the birthplace of the famed Islamic philosopher and traveler Ibn Battuta. He lived in the 14th century and journeyed around the world, visiting North Africa, the Horn of Africa, South, Central, and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. He kept detailed journals of his journeys, which are now considered historical gems and explain a great deal about medieval civilization.

4. Morocco was founded by a relative of the Prophet Mohammed:

Idris 1st founded the Idrisid dynasty, which laid the groundwork for Morocco’s future independence. Then, Idris 1st was the great-great-great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Eventually, Idris 1st took refuge in Morocco after fleeing the battlefield of the Battle of Fakhkh in 786.

5. the oldest human sculpture was discovered in Morocco:

The Venus of Tan-Tan is a 6-cm-long, human-shaped chunk of quartzite rock found in 1999 during an archaeological excavation on the north bank of Morocco’s Draa River. According to research, the item dates back to the Middle Acheulean period, which occurred between 300,000 and 500,000 years ago. However, natural weathering and erosion have shaped the boulder into the figure of a human, according to a department of archaeologists.

6. Morocco has a valley dedicated to roses:

In Morocco, the M’Goun Valley is also known as the Vallée des Roses. The valley produces 3000 to 4000 tons of wild roses each year. These roses are crucial to the local economy. Local women gather the roses and sell them to regional cooperatives. The majority of these roses are used by French perfume firms, while the remainder are used by local enterprises to make rose water, soaps, and other cosmetic goods.

7. Africa’s busiest city square is in Morocco:

Located in the Medina district of the Moroccan city of Marrakech, Jemaa el-Fnaa is Africa’s busiest square, one of Morocco amazing facts. Both locals and tourists visit this square in large numbers. The square offers a glimpse into the cultural life of Moroccans. Chleuh dancers, storytellers, magicians, traditional medicine merchants, and snake charmers provide entertainment in the square. Food stalls with local dishes are offered in the square towards evening. On the edge of Jemaa el-Fnaa is the Marrakech Souk, a traditional market offering objects for the needs of locals and tourists. Gardens, cafes, and hotels are located around the square.

8. it is possible to travel from the sea to the mountains and desert in Morocco:

Among the facts about Morocco, you must have in mind that it’s home to numerous natural beauties as well as historical and cultural treasures. The geography of the nation is highly varied, with coastal strips on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, high peaks of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, and huge swaths of the Sahara.

9. Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Morocco is one of the most important tourist destinations in North Africa. The country’s political stability has fuelled the rise of tourism. Morocco’s government is also engaged in developing tourism in the country. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in the nation. Each of these places has outstanding historical, cultural, and architectural significance, making it worthwhile to visit.

10. Morocco is the home of the Red City:

Marrakech is the fourth biggest city in Morocco. Marrakech is a city with a rich history, architecture, and culture. It was one of the country’s most significant imperial cities. To safeguard the city, Almoravid dynasty ruler Ali ibn Yusuf erected crimson walls. Many red structures were also constructed throughout the city. The city is known as “Red City” or “Ochre City” because of its hue.

11. It snows a lot in some of Morocco’s parts:

What comes to mind when you think about Morocco? The vast Sahara, camel caravans, and searing sun mosques? Of course, this is logical. Morocco has a distinct oriental flavor. Few people, however, connect the kingdom with snowy slopes and ski slopes. And in vain: snow falls in the Atlas Mountains from December to April. Oukaimeden, a developed ski resort, is located around 70 kilometers from Marrakech. Sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowball fights, and snowmen in Africa? So why not?

12. They love soccer in Morocco:

Soccer is popular in Morocco, and it is widely followed and debated. Moroccans like playing football, and women enjoy it just as much as men, and they avidly follow both the global and local soccer tournaments. Soccer championships have been contested here since the early twentieth century. Moroccan supporters’ affections currently belong to two Spanish clubs: Real Madrid and Barcelona. Morocco is only 16 kilometers by ocean from Spain, therefore the neighbors must be accommodating.

13. The tallest religious building in the world is also here:

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the highest religious structure in the world. Its minaret is 210 meters tall. That is 50 meters higher than the height of Cologne Cathedral, for example. From 1986 to 1993, the mosque was under construction. Thousands of builders, artists, and craftspeople collaborated on its construction and ornamentation. But it was all worthwhile. Half of the complex is built on a unique platform supported by pylons right over the Atlantic Ocean. At high tide, the mosque appears to be riding the waves. The structure also has a retractable top, a heated floor, and a laser beam that points straight at Mecca. It is unquestionably a must-see.

14. Morocco – a mecca for hippies:

Jimmy Hendrix, the American guitar prodigy, took up residence in the tiny village of Essaouira on the Atlantic Ocean’s beaches in the 1960s. Following that, hippies, musicians, painters, authors, and other bohemians flocked to Morocco’s shore. Essaouira is still an important artistic center today. Every June, for example, there is the international music festival Gnaoua. Gnaoua music, a blend of Arabic, African, and Berber chanting, as well as pop, jazz, and rock performers from around the world, are performed there.

15. Moroccan goats – climbers:

A very fantastic image may be seen somewhere between Essaouira and Agadir: goats grazing in the woods. The goats climb the topmost branches with the dexterity of a skilled tightrope walker. The explanation for these acrobatic feats is simple: a shortage of natural feed. However, goats choose just one species of tree for their antics. It is prickly Agania, which is only found in Morocco. Argan oil, one of the rarest on the planet, is produced from Argania seeds. Argan oil, sometimes known as “the gold of Morocco,” is used in cooking and cosmetics.

16. There is “African Hollywood” in the country:

Morocco has produced a large number of films. Furthermore, they began during the silent period, but the true pilgrimage to the Moroccan coast for on-location filming began after WWII. Alfred Hitchcock, for example, filmed “The Man Who Knew Too Much” here, and David Lin – “Lawrence of Arabia.” The Atlas Film Studio was founded in the 1980s in Morocco, not far from Ouarzazate. Gladiator, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Alexander, 007: Spectre, and the third season of Game of Thrones have all been shot at the studio at various periods.

17. Welcome to Mandarin Paradise:

When we mention Morocco, we’re talking about mandarins. Tangerine is the name of one of the tangerine varieties. It is currently grown in China, the Mediterranean, India, and the United States. However, the fruit was first cultivated in Morocco, near the city of Tangier, thus the name. The terms mandarin and tangerine are equivalent in English.

18. Cities here are all the same color:

Of course, not all Moroccan cities have the same color palette, but here are a few instances. For example, visitors frequently refer to Essaouira as “snow-white,” and Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four royal towns, as “millions of colors of red.” It’s hard not to highlight the kingdom’s “Blue Pearl,” Chefchaouen. Blue, ultramarine, azure, cornflower, lavender, blue alleys of the historic city, as if purpose-built for a film set. In truth, the city’s hue is due to the Jews who were exiled from Spain in the 15th century. They were the ones who began painting the structures in their sacred blue hue. For a long time, the town was restricted to non-Christians, and the first Christian arrived in Chefchaouen in the nineteenth century. Today, Jews, Christians, and Muslims cohabit harmoniously in the city. However, the blue hue of the houses remains preserved, much to the joy of the numerous tourists.

19. Morocco is now controlled by the world’s second oldest ruling family:

Morocco’s King Mohammed the Six is the 23rd King from the House of Shorafa Aloui, who arrived to govern Morocco in 1631 and claims descent from the Islamic Prophet Muhammad Ibin Abdullah.

The Japanese dynasty is the oldest governing dynasty today, having been created by Emperor Jimmu, the mythological creator of Japan and claimed to be a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

20. Morocco was the world’s first country to recognize the United States of America:

One of the facts about Morocco every American must know is that as the American Revolution began and American commercial ships were being targeted by pirates in the Atlantic Ocean, Sultan Muhammad the Third declared in December 1777 that any American commerce ship was under his protection. The Moroccan and American (pact of friendship) signed in 1786 is now the United States’ oldest camp friendship treaty.

21. Morocco contains a stunning mixture of cultures:

One of the interesting facts about Morocco is that for a country the size of California, with a land area of 172 thousand square miles. Morocco’s cultural variety is astounding, despite the fact that its people is mostly Arab and Berber, with Arabic and Berber languages being the primary languages spoken in the nation.

When you travel from one location to another, you may feel as if you’ve entered another nation. For example, going through Rabat’s capital city will make you feel as though you’re in the French province of Leon. Then, as you travel north, the French influence is replaced by an Andalusian spirit, to the point that the majority of northern Moroccans speak Spanish.

In reality, the average Moroccan is likely to know at least three languages fluently. That spirit is reflected in the festivals and music played in each region.

22. Morocco has one of the best cuisine in the world:

This is one of the tasty facts about Morocco, If there is one thing that anybody who has visited Morocco can attest to, it is the mouth-watering cuisine that this nation possesses. Whatever your cuisine preferences are, between the two scoops Tangina Sila and the numerous other gastronomic delights available in Morocco.

Morocco is unquestionably the ideal location for your taste senses. Moroccan cuisine was voted the second greatest destination for food lovers in 2015, and Moroccan cuisine restaurants are expected to be packed to capacity in several European cities.

Read: what to eat in Morocco.

23. Tea or as Moroccans often call it “Berber Whiskey” is the country’s national drink:

Thé à La Monte, or Green Mint Tea, was brought to Morocco by British traders in 1854 and has since grabbed the nation’s taste. Its greatest freshness comes from being brewed with mint leaves when it comes to the team. Moroccans are a little too liberal with their sugar consumption. You may see our movie on the finest places to sip tea by clicking the upper right corner.

With so much to learn and experience in this wonderful place, it’s difficult not to be tempted to pay it a visit and immerse yourself in its culture, both historical and natural, and Lawrence.

24. Land of Berbers:

The Kingdom of Morocco is also known as the Land of the Berbers since Berbers make up about 40% of the population.

Berbers, descendants of Morocco’s earliest occupants, have a vibrant and nature-centered culture. Many of them prefer to dwell in the toughest environments imaginable, such as the High Atlas Mountains or the Sahara Desert. They are also quite clever and entertaining to converse with.

The cheeks and necks of certain Berber women are extensively tattoed. That’s an old Berber custom that was originally utilized for tribe identification. If you come across one, don’t snap a photo without first asking for permission, since many of them are wary of cameras.

25. Rocks beat sand:

I don’t know about you, but the first thing that came to me when I thought about Morocco was the massive sand dunes of the Sahara. I’ve always thought of Morocco as a desert nation for some reason. Imagine my astonishment when, instead of beaches, I discovered… mountains.

Indeed, huge mountain ranges cover the majority of Morocco’s land, with the Atlas Mountains spanning 1,350 kilometers from the country’s central north to the southwest (840 mi). Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak, rises to 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), making it the tallest in Northern Africa.

26. Land of Kasbahs and beautiful Riads:

One of the most intriguing facts about Morocco is that many individuals do not live in traditional houses or apartment buildings. The typical Moroccan home is known as a riad. Riads are often two or more stories tall, rising around a central open yard space with a garden or a fountain.

The majority of the riads appear unremarkable from the outside but have rich and lavishly furnished interiors. They are also meant to keep you cool, so if you’re visiting Morocco in the winter, make sure your riad has a heater.

The Kasbahs is another well-known example of Moroccan architecture. Kasbahs are forts and citadels that were used to safeguard the medinas (ancient portions of town) against assaults in the past. While Moroccans no longer construct Kasbahs, those that have endured the test of time are popular tourist destinations today.

27. Medinas and Souks:

Speaking of medinas, you’ll be shocked to learn that many Moroccans live in real human mazes rather than conventional neighborhoods. Many tiny-alleyed European cities are described as labyrinths, but they can’t compare to the Moroccan medinas.

What exactly am I referring to? Consider a billion lanes, each small enough for only one person to pass through, with walls a few meters high. Isn’t it a little claustrophobic? An actual medina is a full-size human labyrinth.

The souks are Moroccan markets that have been around for centuries. If you dare to explore them without fear of getting lost inside the medinas, you’re in for a really colorful and gorgeous trip. Guaranteed castaway!

28. The use of cellphones:

One of my favorite facts about Morocco is that the country is quite technologically advanced. Although a stroll through the medinas of Fez, Marrakech, or Chefchaouen may make you feel as if you’ve gone a century back in time, the electronics shops are surprisingly easy to discover.

Moroccans adore contemporary technology, as evidenced by the fact that the country has more registered smartphones than inhabitants. I’m not kidding; there are 46,67 million mobile phone subscribers, despite the fact that the country’s population is believed to be about 40 million.

29. Liver of Love:

Here is one of the oddest facts about Morocco. We’ve all come to embrace the heart as the ultimate emblem of love, haven’t we? When Valentine’s Day approaches, hearts appear everywhere. But not in Morocco.

The liver, not the heart, is the emblem of love in Moroccan culture. It’s only natural for them to be the ultimate emblem of love because a functioning liver indicates excellent digestion and promotes well-being. They even have a phrase that loosely translates to “You’ve conquered my liver,” which is used as a love proclamation. I’m curious about the Valentine’s Day decorations in Morocco.

30. Strange fashion:

I’m not implying that all Moroccans dress strangely; they dress in the same way that all regular people throughout the world do. That is unless they chose to dress in their traditional Moroccan garb, the djellaba.

In contrast to other nations, where individuals seldom wear their national costumes, a unisex Moroccan overall is a popular option of attire for many people. There’s even a winter version with a massive pointed hood.

While most visitors find the djellaba amusing, for those looking for real photo possibilities, the djellaba-wearing natives are a true find.

31. Weddings:

Have you ever attended a Moroccan wedding? I suppose not. But if you ever have the chance, don’t pass it up. Just make sure you have three extra days. That’s right, a traditional Moroccan wedding lasts three days and culminates in the craziest celebration you’ve ever seen.

You should have a good idea of how expressive Moroccan culture is by now, so you can understand what kind of party I’m talking about. It has a little bit of everything and strange traditions like the bride changing her outfit up to seven times or the husband wearing a traditional Jabador or a djellaba.

The first two days of the wedding are set aside for a hammam (day 1) and a henna celebration (day 2).

32. Cats everywhere!

Morocco is unquestionably a cat nation. You’re certain to come across hundreds of stray cats in each metropolis. All of the villagers appear to enjoy them, feed them, and look after them.

But it’s not the same with dogs. To be honest, I didn’t see many dogs on my travels around the country. The reason for this is that, according to tradition, the prophet Muhammed adored cats, and when he was preaching, his pet kitten Muezza was constantly in his lap.

33. Snake charmers aren’t exactly charming:

Morocco is well-known around the world for its snake charmers. The exotic guys who mesmerize cobras with their flute are one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.

Although snake charmers appear to be lovely and enticing at first look, the reality about them is a grim one. The majority of them (but not all) capture wild cobras, remove their fangs and stitch their mouths shut. The cobra can’t bite its owner this way, but it will starve to death in a few agonizing months.

They also (not all of them) defraud naive visitors. If you approach a snake charmer for a photo or a closer look, you will almost certainly have a snake placed on your shoulders. Even if you don’t want it, you don’t have much of a choice because you already have to pay the snake charmers for the experience or risk a battle with him and his buddies.

Did you find any of these Morocco Facts useful? Do you have any more Morocco Facts to share with us? Leave us a remark or tell us about your experience in the comments section below.