Restaurants, Hotels, Property in Morocco - Justgo Morocco

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, the full Arabic name Al-Mamlaka al-Maghribiya translates to "The Western Kingdom." It is a country in North Africa with a population of 33,241,259. Its coastline is the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea. The borders connect with Algeria to the east, Mauritania to the south, The Western Sahara to the South West and land borders with two small Spanish enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla...

It is a fascinating country filled with mysterious beauty and extreme contrasts. Even though it is very close (approx. an hour by ferry from Spain) it seems like another world with a deeply traditional culture based on Islam. It may feel very foreign to some people but once you get used (accustomed) to their customs and way of life then it really is quite special.

Local women usually dress themselves in traditional costume, depending on which part of Morocco you are in this can differ, but normally it means completely covered, and the men dress themselves in 'jellabas' (long robes with a hood). Foreigners can comfortably walk around in their usual dress, but obviously when you leaving your hotel or private residence it is best to be a little sensible and dress accordingly (I wouldn’t recommend that women for instance strut around town in just their bikini like you would in Ibiza or Blackpool).

Most of Morocco would feel like stepping back in time for the casual tourist. Although it sometimes seems antiquated and alien to Westerners if you can relax and let go of your qualms and accept their lifestyle and hospitality it can be a unique experience of exotic pleasure that you will probably never have experienced before. Sitting or lying down on cushions on the floor to chat, eat or smoke is by far a more luxurious manner to pass the time and recover from a days stress than watch TV on your sofa.

Walking through the streets and bazaars, or souks is a symphony of action, colour and mystique. You really will see snake charmers playing their hypnotic song (although I believe it is the action of the instrument more than the (sometimes offensive to the ears) music that lulls the snake into a trance). Water sellers are unmistakeable in their colourful attire wandering around with their leather water bags selling cups of water, however, I imagine they make more money selling themselves for photographs to tourists than they do selling water anymore.

Feeding time is a great delight in Morocco as well and Morocco is considered to have one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. Famous for couscous, which is of Berber origin, and consists of shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour. The finished grains are about 1 mm or 1/26th inch in diameter (after cooking). Green tea with natural mint (and a lorry full of sugar!!!) is also a must when in Morocco. There is nothing like Moroccan tea to quench the thirst and revitalise you after a hard days adventuring in North Africa.

The languages of Morocco are as diverse as the people. Standard Arabic is the most commonly spoken language, but to get around in Morocco it is best to have a good understanding of French.

French is also widely spoken as Morocco as Morocco was occupied by France up until the last century and celebrated its 50th anniversary of its independence on November 18, 2006.

Other widely spoken languages of Morocco include Tachelhit (3,000,000 in South-western Morocco) and Tamazight (8,000,000, Central Atlas mainly). However, most of the Moroccans you will meet in the shops and restaurants speak a variety of European languages as well as they seem to have a natural grasp for languages. So much so, is the Moroccan affinity for languages most European call centres are beginning to move their operations from their native countries, or outsourced operations in countries like India, to Morocco, where the workforce is already multi-lingual.

For more information Morocco, travel advice, facts and figures, buying property (houses, flats, villas), or any other question you may have, feel free to browse our site, or alternatively ask Eli or James for their help by email or via the Justgo Morocco Forum.