FACTS
Capital: Rabat
Currency: Moroccan dirham
Time zone: UTC+0/+1
GEOGRAPHY
The Rif Mountains run NW-NE with the Atlas Mountains running down the backbone of the country. The SE is occupied by the Sahara Desert. The coastal plains are the main area for agriculture with forests only covering 12% of the country.
PEOPLE
Berbers have inhabited Morocco for over 5000 years. When the Arabs conquered the territory in the 7th and 11th centuaries the foundation for an emerging Arab-Berber culture was laid. The official language in Morocco is classical Arabic but 40% of the population mostly in rural areas speak Berber. This itself exists in three different dialects: Tarifit, Tashelhiyt and Tamazight. French however is the primary language for business!
WILDLIFE
Morocco is particularly rich in birdlife with well over 400 species present.