Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. 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. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.
February 10th 2008Africa » Morocco » Fès-Boulemane » Fes After a couple of days in Meknes, we went to the train station and, while talking to and petting a cat, struck up a conversation with a well dressed man by the name of Rida. He told us he was an engi ... 8 photos[full story]
February 9th 2008Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Meknes After a couple of days in Tanger to orient ourselves and figure out a game plan, my buddy Dan and I set out by train to Meknes. We arrived at the gare or station in about three hour's time and follow ... 8 photos[full story]
March 9th 2008Africa » Morocco » Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz » Marrakech As I watched the verdant and green countryside roll by outside the window on the train, I turned to Dan and said "Dude! Do you realize what we are doing this very minute???" Without looking up from ... 5 photos[full story]
May 16th 2008Africa » Morocco » Tangier-Tétouan » Asilah So we made it and have been to 3 cities already... found a cafe to write in l'medina in Asilah. Almost out of time though so this is my little message for now..Getting a little hungry and there are on ... [full story]
May 2nd 2008Africa » Morocco » Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz » Marrakech (Very) early Saturday morning Nick, Carly and I touched down in the heat, colour and mayhem of Marrakech. We spent four blissful days there. Each morning started with the most delicious breakfast of f ... 12 photos[full story]
May 10th 2008Africa » Morocco » Tangier-Tétouan Last night we slept well in the hostel. We got up at 7:30, got ready, repacked,and walked to the ferry terminal. things went smoothly at the terminal. We had arocky crossing of the Strait of Gibralta ... 15 photos[full story]
March 9th 2008Africa » Morocco » Souss-Massa-Draâ » Ouarzazate After a day exploring the extremely photogenic kasbah at Ait Ben Haddou, we had a relatively short morning's ride to get into the city of Ouarzazate, at the intersection of the Dades and Draa River va ... 17 photos[full story]
May 6th 2008Africa » Morocco » Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz » Essaouira After a week to reflect, im finally sitting down to share my Moroccan adventures. My entry might be a little slim this time because I uploaded and labelled my pics first so I feel like I already cove ... 66 photos[full story]
May 7th 2008Africa » Morocco » Tangier-Tétouan » Tangier Morocco. Yea- we went there.
I am still mulling it over in my mind. Trying to decide exactly what I think about it.
It was another world.
A world with two faces. The beautiful and the ugly. ... 42 photos[full story]
May 6th 2008Africa » Morocco » Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer » Rabat So here I am, in Africa for the first time! And I am experimenting a strange cultural shock. Not from seeing Africa, but from staying in the fanciest hotel I have ever seen, and will ever see. But ... [full story]
Map of Morocco
Morocco's Flag
