Morocco boasts an amazing variation in terrain and vegetation, with fertile plains near its Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and The Sahara Desert.
Location : Morocco is situated in northwest Africa and is separated from Spain at the northernmost tip by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar. Morocco's land borders are with Algeria and Mauritania. The Atlantic sea lies to the west and the Mediterranean to the north.
Land mass : Approx. 446,000sq km
Land use :
arable land 21%
permanent crops 1%
permanent pastures 47%
forests and woodland 20%
other 11%
Mountains
there are several fantastic mountain ranges in Morocco on which you can climb, hike, ski or ride mules. The dazzling variety of foliage, natural water features and mountain peaks is enthralling .
The mountains are typically heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter plenty of the mountains are covered in snow. Many mountain animals live here, including the peculiar Atalas monkey, along with a large variety of migratory birds and birds of prey, such as eagles. There's a large bird reserve located where the Moulouya river flows into the Mediterranean sea.
Amtoudi top : found south of Agadir. You may either climb the 20-30 cm narrow, rocky trail along the edge, or hire a mule to do the job for you. A spectacular view awaits you at the top.
Atlas Mountains : Filling the majority of the northwestern corner of Africa, the Atlas are divided into 5 regions stretching from Morocco, thru northern Algeria and touching Tunisia.
Morocco has the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas. The High Atlas is the highest range, with Jabal Toubkal stretching to 4,165 metres. The Middle Atlas reaches 3,350 metres and the Anti Atlas doesn't reach higher than 2,531 metres, but it still has some awfully craggy landscape. At the fringe of the Anti-Atlas in the extraordinary south, the view is consists of huge, eroded gorges which flow with the rivers into the dry, desolate wastes of the Sahara desert.
Chefchaouen Mountains : located in the north east, south of Tetouan. The Chefchaouen Mountains have 2 peaks, Jebel Meggou at 1,625 meters above sea level and Jebel Tisouka with its mosque on top at 2,050 meters.
Oregano Mountains, Taliouine : found near Tiznit, south of Agadir. These mountains are covered with oregano and transmit the smell across the valley. At the top of these mountains ( 1,500 meters above sea level ) are two caves employed by goats for shelter.
Rif Mountains : located on the northernmost area of Morocco on the north eastern limits of the Atalas mountains. The Rif mountains are made from steep cliffs, close to the shore of Mediterranean Morocco where the terrain is rugged.
Sarhro Mountains : found south west of Marrakesh. They're a wonderful winter trekking destination as the desert cools and the High Atlas Mountains become covered with snow. It's a remote area adorned with volcanic obelisks, vegetated plateaux, ravines, tiny Berber villages and the traveling Ait Atta people. The Sarho are arguably the most interesting mountains in all of Morocco.
Setti Fatma : Located at the end of the Ourika Valley in Marrakesh. It has 7 beautiful waterfalls, monumental views and mountain long trails for toughened hikers.
Tafraoute Mountains : found south east of Agadir. The rocky, pink mountains here are the main attractions. A Belgian artist, Jean Verame, once painted some of the rocks blue in 1984, though these have now faded.
Tan Tan Mountains : located down south. Renowned for its very flat top and hollowness in some parts of the mountain.
rivers
Morocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa. Its rivers often flow northwest to the Atlantic or southeast towards the Sahara Desert. The main rivers of Morocco are the Sebou which runs into the Atlantic, and the Moulouya running into the Mediterranean.
Deserts
To the south and east lies the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is the planet's biggest desert and in Arabic its name means'wilderness'. The Sahara doesn't fit the conventional idea of a wholly flat and waterless area. There are streams in the hills and the desert oases support both human and animal life.
Plants in the desert area survive with small water ; some have very deep roots, others have tiny leaves or spines. Desert animals must also survive with little water and many COMMA for instance. The desert fox, remain hidden during the heat of the day others, such as gazelles, travel many miles in search of water.
fruitful plains
These are to be found along the Atlantic coast, stretching to the Atlas Mountains and they're rich for farming, manufacturing almost all of the nation's fruit and plants. It is well irrigated by the melt water from mountain snows from the Atlas. Common plants are orange trees, date palms and cork oak trees.
Climate
Morocco's climate varies widely : The north is Mediterranean and the south is subtropical while the sea and mountains help to maintain a pleasant climate.
Winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry. Average daytime temperatures in winter range between 16 to 23 C and in summer, from thirty three to 42 C. Like Spain, Morocco has approximately 330 days of sunshine each year.
Mountain tops are covered with snow for most of the year.
Desert temperature modifications between night and day are extreme and rainfall is low and unpredictable.
The Environment's Future
Morocco's natural environment is under stress in a variety number of ways : The increasing number of travellers and the over exploitation of resources like oil and phosphates could damage the ecosystem in the desert. Overgrazing and the spread of the desert could also threaten currently productive areas in the future.
If you find this article useful, you may also visit famouswonders.com to read more about some of the best places to visit and have a look at Casablanca history.
