Morocco - Overseas Adventure Travel tour
April 5-25, 2022
Part One - Pre-trip to northwest Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
It has land borders with Algeria to the east and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the south.
Its official religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Berber.
Its culture is a mix of Berber,
Arab, and European cultures. Inhabited since over 90,000 years ago, it was established by Idris I in 788,
who was born and raised in Arabia. Subsequently, it was ruled by a series of independent dynasties,
reaching its peak in the 11th and 12th centuries when it controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula. In the
15th and 16th centuries, Portugal seized some territory, and the Ottoman Empire encroached from the east.
The Alaouite dynasty, that rules the country to this day, seized power in 1631.
Its strategic location led to
renewed European interest. In 1912, France and Spain split Morocco into protectorates and created an
international zone
in Tangier.
After intermittent revolts against colonial rule,
Morocco regained its independence and reunified in 1956.
It has the 5th largest economy in Africa. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.
Its executive branch is led by the King of Morocco and the prime minister. Legislative power is vested
in the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. It has a Constitutional Court
that may review the validity of laws and elections. The king has vast executive and legislative power,
especially over religious affairs, military, and foreign policy. He can dissolve the parliament
after consulting the prime minister and the Constitutional Court. The population is around 36 million
with a sizable percentage of people with Berber heritage. Berbers are an ethnic group indigenous
to north Africa.
Other sizable portions identify as Gnawa,
West African or
mixed race descendants of slaves, and European Muslims expelled from Spain and Portugal
in the 17th century. The country is 99% Muslim, virtually all are Sunni Muslims.
Almost 15% of the population describe themselves as non-religious.
Page One - Heading to Chefchaouen from Casablanca
Map our guide gave us with green highlights showing the towns we visited.
After arriving in Casablanca the day before and meeting the
other people on the pre trip, we drove overland to Chefchaouen. We drove
through several small towns. Local farmers come to such towns on
market days to buy and sell items. These people were heading home.
Mosques are seen in every town.
Eating lunch in a small town on the way to Chefchaouen.
Ruth from Washington, Becky & Sara
(sisters) from California, Bonnie & Mike from Florida
We saw many white storks in northwest Morocco.
They build large nests on minarets, towers, etc.
A gentleman selling oranges on market day
in the town where we had lunch.
Agriculture in Morocco employs about 40% of the workforce. It is the largest
employer in the country. In the rainy sections of the northwest, barley, wheat,
and other cereals can be raised without irrigation. On the Atlantic coast, where
there are extensive plains, olives, citrus fruits, and wine grapes are grown,
largely with water supplied by artesian wells. Livestock are raised and forests
yield
cork, cabinet wood, and building materials. Part of the maritime
population fishes for its livelihood.
Moroccan agricultural production also consists of oranges, tomatoes, potatoes,
olives, and olive oil. High quality agricultural products are usually exported to
Europe. Morocco produces enough food for domestic consumption except for
grains, sugar, coffee and tea. More than 40% of Morocco's consumption
of grains and flour is imported.
RIF mountain region
Our first view of Chefchaouen. Known for its distinctive blue-washed
buildings, the city is perched on the foothills of the Rif Mountains. Its
name comes from a Berber phrase that means "watch the horns," a
reference to the Jebel Tisouka and Megou mountains that rise above the
city like a pair of horns.
The city was founded as a military outpost shortly before the Spanish
conquest of Granada, and its population grew quickly with Muslim and
Jewish immigrants fleeing from Spain. The economy is based on a
traditional agro-pastoral system with olive and fig plantations; numerous
water mills for grinding grain and olives; a handicrafts sector focusing on
leather, iron, textiles and carpentry; and summer-dominated tourism.
Donkeys and horses are used to transport people and goods.
This donkey was tied to a tree
in the main square, Plaza Uta-el-Hamman
Chefchaouen’s small kasbah dates back to between the 15th and
16th centuries AD. It was built under the command of the city’s founder, Moulay
Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami. The purpose was to defend the new
settlement from attacks by the Portuguese and Spanish. The city of Chefchaouen
subsequently grew around the kasbah’s walls. This entrance is at the main square.
Another view of the main square, with part of the kasbah on the right in
the medina (old city) of Chefchaouen.
Encompassed by towering walls, medinas are filled with narrow
streets, tiny alleyways, market places, and historical mosques.
The purpose of each medina was to keep out invading armies.
Kasbahs are typically older medinas.
Walking the streets. Archways are common. They aren't sure where the
tradition of
painting the exteriors blue came from, but they will certainly
keep doing it, especially because of the tourist attraction.
Walking a narrow street inside the medina of Chefchaouen. The man wearing
the pointed hood is wearing common attire for men in this area.
A view from my room where we stayed inside the medina. The kasbah is lit up,
and you can see
the Great Mosque also lit up, which is in the main square
inside the medina.
The Great Mosque with an octagonal minaret, in the daytime.
Walking through the streets of the "blue" city. It's like a maze,
and you could
easily get lost.
The central garden of Chefchaouen outside the medina (old city)
Link to Page Two - Visit with a farm family
Pat's Home Page