How much do you know about Morocco? Famous for couscous and its souks, an interesting fact you may not know is the Arabic name for Morocco is al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyyah meaning Kingdom of the West. Many people visit this North African Country for their own romantic version of the Hollywood movie Casablanca, but did you know that it wasn’t filmed here? The entire movie was shot in California. Read on for 10 fun facts about Morocco!
General Country information
Country name: Kingdom of Morocco
Total Population: 35,740,000
Capital: Rabat
Independence Day: 18 November
National Day/Throne Day: 30 July
Government: Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
King: Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Saadeddine Othmani
Currency: Moroccan Dirham
Official language: Darija, Arabic
Religion: Islam
1. Morocco has the largest desert in the world
The Sahara Desert can be found in Morocco. At 3.6 million square miles, it’s the largest desert in the world after Arctic and Antarctica – yes those famous cold deserts! A desert is an area that receives less than 10 inches of precipitation per year, so the Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert.
“Sahara” is the Arabic word for desert, and its name is desert desert. It’s a bit daft when you say it like that! Due to its enormous size, it also borders Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.
2. Morocco has the world’s oldest University
The Kairaouine Mosque in Fez became the world’s first university. It was built in AD. 857 by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a wealthy Kairaouine refugee. According to UNESCO and Guinness World Records, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world.
3 Morocco is the largest exporter of sardines in the world
South Africa and the Philippines may have the famous sardine run, but Morocco is the largest exporter of canned sardines in the world producing around 600,000 tonnes each year which are sold globally.
4. Instagram favorite “the Blue City” is in Morocco
The blue painted City of Chefchaouen is located in the Rif mountains. There are many theories as to why the buildings are painted blue, one is it detracts mosquitoes (probably not very accurate accurate!). Another is they are a reflection of the sky and a reminder of God.
To maintain their color, the buildings are repainted every two years. Chefchaouen in Arabic means “watch the horns’ in reference to the appearance of the mountains situated over the town.
5. White is the color for mourning
In Morocco, white is worn when mourning, and a Moroccan widow will wear white for 40 days after her husband’s death.
6. Morocco is home to the world-famous souks
The souks in Marrakech are known throughout the world as a colorful place to grab a bargain. The souk at Jemaa El Fanaa is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, especially at night when you can enjoy a mouth watering Moroccan dish from a restaurant terrace.
7. Their national animal is extinct
Morocco’s national animal is the Barbary Lion, but none exist in this Country. A few places around the world claim to have Barbary lions in captivity, but sadly this lion became extinct sometime after 1922.
Barbary Lions were the largest subspecies of lion, and admired for their large size and dark manes. They battled gladiators in the Roman Coliseum, and even lived briefly at the Tower of London.
8. Morocco and the US go back a long way
Morocco was the first nation to recognize the newly independent United States in 1777. The friendship alliance agreed in 1786, is still in place today making it the longest serving unbroken treaty in US history. During both World Wars, the Cold War and Gulf War, they shared the same values for freedom, democracy, tolerance and peace.
9. Genie’s don’t really live in bottles
The word “genie” comes from the Arabic word djinn or Jinni. A spiritual creature from Islamic mythology, it’s believed they live in a parallel world to humans. Genie’s have become famous in Hollywood movies as wish-granting lamp-dwellers, but in Islam they share traits with angels, fairies, ghosts and other supernatural beings.
Moroccans have a strong belief in the jinn who have the ability to deceive and possess people. Some jinn are named like Aisha Kandisha, a beautiful female jinni associated with rivers and underground water sources.
10. You can go skiing in Morocco
Oukaimeden, 50 miles east of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains, has a fully-functioning ski resort at 8,530 feet, and is considered to be a hidden gem amongst skiers.
Angie Briggs
Angie is a Lonely Planet published, freelance travel writer galavanting around the world. Born in England, “home” is currently Cebu, Philippines, but who knows where it will be next month. Away from her laptop, you will find Angie helping to educate travellers how to use less plastic, scuba diving, and talking to stray cats.