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Source: http://www.focusmm.com
Morocco, a land of contrasts. Vibrant, seductive and exciting, a place where shadows merge with sunlight, where sky and sea meet at the horizon. Contrasting colours dissolve into flickering kaleidoscope of blue, copper, red, green, ochre, silver and gold. A land bursting with the colours of life where festivals happen all year round. Morocco, a place where magical colours blend in an irresistible pageant of light and shade.
Morocco is unique in many ways; firstly, it is an African country closest to Europe in geographical and cultural terms. The country is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the northern, and the Atlantic Ocean on the western side. The port city Tangier faces the southernmost point of Spain just across the Strait of Gibraltar. The strait has become a gateway for Muslim warriors to enter Europe throughout the history.
Morocco's Mediterranean coast is still unspoiled. The best resorts of the country are located along the Mediterranean coastline. Tetouan at the western end is an attractive town with a long history. There are several resorts nearby. Al Hoceima, halfway along the Mediterranean coast is the area's top resort. By contrast the Atlantic Ocean coastline has many lively towns but a few main resorts. The long streches of sandy beaches are very common, along this side of the country.
Morocco is one of the luckiest countries in the African continent, with a unique weather pattern and resourceful plains and lowlands abound on colorful Mediterranean plants, and support many varieties of fruit, vegetables and grains. The countless rows of olive trees across the plains form a special floral setting for this warm Mediterranean country.
Since many centuries ago, the people of Morocco were known to the Europeans as Moors. The Greek word 'mauros' which is used for the people from a mixed race was probably transformed to 'Moor' to describe the people of Morocco, which are originally indigenous Berbers mixed with Arabs especially with the spread of Islam in North Africa. In more recent times, the French called the country 'le Maroc' and the people living there 'les marrocains'. These were the roots of the words Morocco and Moroccans as we use today.
There are many cultural influences coming from the French dominated colonial days, with which the way the democratic institutions are set up and operate even today. The artistic and the architectural influences are more widely related to the Spanish culture. The beautiful gardens with greenery, fountains and running water are most obviously influenced from the Andalusian Gardens. It is most probably a two-way influence; first, from the Islamic background into Spain, and then from Spain back to the Islamic North African countries.
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