Get to Know Morocco: 9 Fascinating Facts You Probably Haven't Heard Of Before
Who hasn’t heard of the Blue Men of Atlas or the Roman Ruins of Volubilis? Or perhaps you know about the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Fez and Marrakesh. But how much do you know about Morocco as a country? This North African country offers much more than just an affordable version of Disneyworld.
If you plan to visit this exotic destination soon, here are some interesting facts about it that will come in handy when having a dinner conversation with your tour guide or other travel buddies.
Morocco is known as the red city.
Marrakech is known as the Red City due to its red walls and buildings made from sandstone in the 12th century. The city also hosts many great tourist sites.
Morocco Is Not A Member of the African Union
Morocco was an African Union affiliate, but in 1984, the country resigned its membership after the AU permitted a disputed area to become a member of Western Sahara. Thus, Morocco is the only African region not belonging to the African Union.
Morocco has been inhabited for over 90,000 years.
Morocco gained its independence in 1,956 but has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, often between 190,000 BC and 90,000 BC. In ancient times, Morocco was supposed to be home to Romans, Visigoths, Vandals, and Byzantines.
Morocco’s official languages are Arabic and Berber.
In Morocco, the two formal languages are Arabic and Berber. However, Berber is a dialect of Afro-Asiatic origin from North Africa that many Sahara locals speak. One-third of the people also speak French, part of the school curriculum.
Casablanca is the Largest City in Morocco
Rabat was named the capital of Morocco in 1920, but Casablanca is the largest city. It's located on the Atlantic Ocean. It also became a well-known city after Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman hit movie screens with their popular film back in 1942; Casablanca became world-famous. Besides, it's a fabulous tourist destination as well.
Morocco has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Morocco is a rich country with many magnificent archeological attractions. It is easy to explore and see them. One of those nine UNESCO World Heritage sites is the incredible city of Menkes.
Tourism is Morocco's second-largest Industry.
Morocco is a well-known attraction for many travelers worldwide, according to its fascinating attractions. At least 10 million people visit Morocco each year, mainly from Europe. The tourism industry employs about 20% of the population.
The most immense Hot Desert Here In Morocco
The Sahara covers over 3 million square miles, a large part of 11 African countries, including much of Morocco. Camel treks are among the most popular pastimes in this region.
Moroccans Living in Different Styles Houses
Most of the people in Morocco live in traditional homes called Riads. Usually, they look normal from the outside with luxurious interior design and are two floors tall with open space on the ground level.
