MOROCCO

For The Young & Curious

[Reception Booklet]

Index:

General Knowledge about Morocco

Morocco’s Culture

Practical knowledge about life in Morocco

General Knowledge about

Morocco

Morocco’s Culture

Morocco’s cultural heritage reflects the influence of a long succession of

invaders and settlers including the Carthaginians, Romans, French, Spanish and

Arabs. The Berbers make up over half of the population and Moroccan society is

a fascinating melting pot of Berber, Arab, Jew, Muslim, African and European.

The late Hassan II, king of Morocco, compared the country to a tree with its roots

spreading deep into the heart of Africa, its trunk solidly set in the Arab-Islamic

world and its branches reaching beyond Spain, Portugal and France to the heart

of Europe.

Morocco is changing as a result of outside influences but its diverse culture

remains anchored in age-old traditions that stress community life and family -

values that are cherished and readily shared.

Hospitality is an essential element to Morocco’s culture. The people of Morocco are

extremely friendly and hospitable; they are kind, warm, and well known around the world for

their hospitality.

Climate

Morocco’s climate varies from region to region and

time of year. The hottest time to visit the Moroccan

Sahara is midsummer when, in contrast, it is much

cooler on the coast or in the Atlas mountains; but there

are no set rules.

Spring tends to come late (April or May) and this is

the season to visit Rose Valley (Kelaa Mgouna) and

the Rose Festival. Winter days in the South can be

perfect, although the nights are cold.

Summer tends to come (From June, July to August)

Autumn tends to come (From September to

October)

Winter tends to come (From November, December,

January, to February)

Published annual sunshine levels are more than 8hrs a

day in Fes, Marrakech and Ouarzazate with average

temperatures above 21c.

But if you feel too hot or too cold you can travel from

the snow of the Atlas to the heat of the Sahara

sands in one day - not that we advise you to move

with such haste when there is so much to explore and

discover along the route.

Religion

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Islam is the official religion in Morocco and peacefully co-exists alongside other religions.

Each day of the year is marked by five calls to prayer and the muezzins announce prayer

times from the top of the mosques' minarets.

Mosques in general are closed to non-Muslims however the Hassan II Mosque in open to non-

Muslims every day except Friday, and is well worth a visit.

Traditional Food in Morocco

We LOVE food!

To get you started, here's a list of common

Moroccan food items you'll certainly come across

during your travels:

Amlou: sweet spread made from Almond paste, honey, and Argan oil

Baghrir: spongelike pancake with little open-air pockets on the top, similar to a large crumpet

Brochette: skewered meat grilled over a charcoal fire

Couscous: hand-rolled semolina grain steamed until plump and fluffy

Harira: soup usually made from vegetable or chicken stock with added chickpea and tomato

Kefta: minced lamb or beef generously spiced and either rolled into the shape of a sausage brochette or shaped into meatballs and cooked in a tagine

Mechoui: whole roasted lamb or beef Msemmen: thin, oily, flat bread Pastilla: flaky, phyllo pastry pie with a

savory filling of chicken, pigeon, or sometimes seafood, topped with cinnamon or sugar icing

Tagine: meat, seafood, and/or vegetable casserole or stew, slowly cooked in a two-piece earthenware cooking vessel with cone-shaped lid

Tanjia: earthenware urn stuffed with seasoned meat and slowly cooked in the embers of the local hammam

Morocco’s Festivals & Events

Moroccans celebrate a multitude of festivals – Ramadan, Eid Fitr, Eid Kbir

etc

Festivals in Morocco are very joyfully celebrated, with special food to accompany each.

Marathon des Sables (The Sand Marathon)

The Rose Festival

Eid ul Adha ( Islamic Festival )

Ramadan ( Islamic Festival )

Ess

Essaouira Gnawa & World Music Festival

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, Morocco

Erfoud Date Festival

Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival

Marrakesh International Film Festival

Check out this link for more information:

http://goafrica.about.com/od/morocco/tp/Morocco-Festivals-And-Events.htm

Quick Facts

Full Country Name: Morocco

Location: North Africa,

Climate: Mediterranean,

Population: 32,209,101

Capital City: Rabat

Dialing code: 212

Language: Dialectal Arabic, French, Berber, English, Spanish

Classical Arabic is the official language of education, the Civil Service and

the media.

Everyday language in Morocco is typically a Dialectal Arabic as well as

Tamazight (Berber) that is spoken in the Rif, Atlas and Souss - dialects vary

with the region.

Morocco was once a French Protectorate and most Moroccans speak

French; many speak Spanish and English in addition to German and

Italian.

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Currency : Moroccan Dirham

Ethnic Make-up: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Morocco Popular Destinations

Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, Agadir, Tangier, Merzouga, ouazazate, walili, Tetouan etc…

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/morocco/morocco-popular-destinations/index.html

Legzira Chaouen

Oualili Ifrane

Chaouen Tangier

AL Hoceima Agadir

Rabat

Sahara

Ouarzazate Fez

Marrakesh

Nightlife in MOROCCO !

Practical knowledge about life in Morocco

Tips while Travelling to Morocco

Safety Travelling in Morocco

Morocco is essentially a safe country to visit and

violent crime is rare, although petty theft is

recorded as fairly common. When travelling on

public transport, or in crowded places, you are

advised to keep an eye on your luggage and

personal possessions. Avoid walking alone at

night in unlit areas or along the beach.

Morocco is a friendly country and guests are

treated with respect. Nevertheless, it is better to

get too friendly with strangers. Always stay in

crowds and avoid isolated spots, unless

accompanied by trusted people.

Women Travelers

Women often ask if it’s safe to travel alone.

Actually any woman travelling alone is likely to

be faced with some unwanted attention. My best

advice with regards clothing is to dress

respectfully

and, even if you don't feel it, appear confident and self-

assured; be polite but formal in response to uninvited

comments.

Although there is no need to overdo the dress code, and it’s

unnecessary to wear a scarf or veil, short skirts and tight

clothes are likely to attract more attention than you may feel

comfortable with.

Transportation

Traveling around Morocco

Trains, buses and grand-taxis are an easy way of getting

around Morocco, as is renting a car and driving at your own

speed.

However, if you have limited time, hiring a vehicle and

Moroccan driver is the ideal way to explore and learn about

the culture and, if you hire is a 4x4, you can avoid the busy

tourist routes and travel off-road across the pistes to

experience the hospitality and traditional lifestyle of the

Berber people.

Trains in Morocco

Trains run between Tangier, Meknes, Fez, Oujda, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech and

are both safe and comfortable. The Moroccan national train service ONCF lists the schedules

and fares: http://www.oncf.ma/Index_en.aspx

Buses in Morocco

Buses owned by the national bus companies e.g. Supratours, CTM and SATAS run between

major towns and cities. Long-distance buses are comfortable and tickets are purchased at the

bus depot.

Taxis in Morocco

Taxis are either: Petit or Grande

The Petit Taxis are the ones you use to travel within

the city. These are various colors depending on the

city. Blue in Rabat, Red in Fez, Beige in Marrakesh

and so on.

In a petit taxi only four people are allowed (including the

driver, infants and small children). Petit taxis can also be

split between people. So if you see a petit taxi with one or

two people in it and it is going in your direction, you can

flag it down and ask for a lift.

Petit Taxis and the Meter: By law, petit taxis are required

to use their meter. If they don’t use the meter, If the meter doesn't work, then you negotiate your price in advance.

At night the meter runs at a time and a half. On taxis with a

newer electronic meter, your final rate at night will be

shown.

The Grande Taxis are typically white/tan and they run between cities, to the airports,

within cities on fixed routes and are available for private hire.

Grande taxis cram in 7 people total including the driver, so that can make for a tight squeeze.

Grande Taxis and Payment: If you take a Grande taxi on a fixed city route, or a fixed in

between city route, you typically pay for a seat a certain fixed price.

Grand taxis (usually Mercedes saloons) are shared taxis but you can negotiate a price if you

want the journey to yourself

P.S: If you are in a highly touristic area, expect

most taxis to not use the meter. Now, depending on who you are and your holiday plans,

you can just roll with the punches or you can continue to look for taxis. If you can get away

from a highly touristic area, your driver will probably use the meter.

Clothing

Dress respectfully if you do not wish to attract undue attention. This typically means covering

your body between your knees and elbows e.g. trousers, long shorts or skirt to the knee (at

least) and short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts.

In summer, loose clothing is comfortable in the heat and when travelling.

In spring & autumn, a warm fleece is needed for chilly evenings, and in winter, warm

clothing is essential.

In large cities such as Marrakech, Fes or Agadir, Moroccans dress as fashionably as they

would on High Street in Europe although, in contrast, you will also see women traditionally

dressed in “ derra “ (hood like scarf that covers all hair and is tied under chin) and “ jellaba”

(long-sleeved, ankle-length, flowing dress).

In rural areas women usually wear traditional clothes and you are encouraged to dress more

conservatively when touring.

Photography

Photographing landscapes or crowds-in-general poses no problem although I have been

challenged when using a tri-pod. If you want to photograph people e.g. portraits, you are

advised to ask permission first – sometimes you will be given the go-ahead, sometimes you

will be asked for dirhams and sometimes the answer will be no.

Costs

In Restaurants

Restaurants usually have fixed prices but there is a huge difference between the ones

aimed at tourists and those catering to locals. In “ Zagora “ ( a city in Morocco ) , for

example, a side-street restaurant served us a “ tagine “ big enough for two people for less

than half the price of a one-person “ tagine “ being served around the corner on the main

street. Ask first if there’s no menu with prices listed.

Tipping

Tips are expected in Morocco and here is a rough tipping

guide:

waiter in café 2-5 dirhams each

waiter in restaurant 5-10 dirhams each or 10%

curator or guardian 5 dirhams

Currency

The Moroccan Dirham cannot be exported or imported. On

arrival currency can be exchanged in the airport but, to save

queuing, carry small denomination Euro notes for the taxi to

the hotel. The Euro has replaced the US Dollar as the

currency of the Sahara and can be used on a daily basis for

goods and services.

Cash and Travelers Cheques can be exchanged at any bank

and there is a network of ATMs – retain your transaction receipts as they are required when

converting money back into Sterling, Euros etc.

Visas

Visa requirements are country-dependent, contact your

country’s Moroccan Embassy for up-to-date visa

information. On arrival in Morocco your passport must be

valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay.

Insurance

You are advised to obtain travel insurance before setting out

on your holiday. This insurance must cover the loss,

expenses and damages arising from, including but not

limited to, the cancellation of the holiday (whether in whole

or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and

repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and

belongings and flight cancellations and delays.

Electrical Voltage

The voltage is usually 220v although older buildings may have 110v or a mix of both – if you

are unsure, ask. Sockets take 2-pronged European-style plugs and you may need to pack an

adapter.

Moroccan Phrases

Moroccan Arabic English

Salaam Ealykum Hello

Insha’Allah God Willing

Labas? How are you?

Labas, Hmdullah Good, thanks be to God

Shuqran Thank you

Mizyan Very good

Ana Me

Bzaf Too Much

Walou Nothing

Khübz Bread

AIESEC Morocco iGCDP Leaders Contacts

Name Position MC/L

C

City Email Phone

Number

Skype

Asmaa

Inachchal

MCVP

iGCDP

MC

Morocc

o

Rabat Asmaa.inachchal@

aiesec.ma

00212 6

04060718

Asma.idrissi.icx

Selman Elfath LCVP

iGCDP

LC

AMBA

SSADE

URS

Rabat selman.elfath@aies

ec.net

00212674074

275

elfath.selman

Saad

Echarraq

LCVP

iGCDP

LC

ANFA

Casablanca saad.echarraq@aie

sec.net

00212672083

167

saad.skizo

Sara Berrada LCVP

iGCDP

LC

ATLAS

Ifrane sara.berrada@aiese

c.net

__ sara.berrada92

Imane

Elkachchabi

LCP LC

HASS

AN

Rabat imane.elkachchabi

@aiesec.net

00212642616

714

imaneelk1

Zhour

Addoula

LCVP

iGCDP

LC

MENA

RA

Marrakesh zhour.addoula@aie

sec.net

00212613167

958

zhouradd

EL Jbari

Jihane

LCVP

iGCDP SU

SAISS

Fez jihane.jbari@aiesec

.net

00212618344

904

Jihane.eljbari

We’re looking forward to seeing

you !!!!