UNESCO sights of interest: #3 Ksar-ain-ben-haddou

   This incredibly beautiful Berber jewel used to be a strategic settlement on the route that connects Marrakesh with Ouarzazate.  Its fortification (Ksar = fortified village) indicates the importance of this location in the past. Its beauty captivated the imagination of many Hollywood directors, who used this scenery in their movies

UNESCO sights of interest: #2 Volubilis

   Volubilis which is located at the north of Meknes, used to be the most important Roman colony in the area of Morroco. It was founded by the Carthaginians, before the Romans took control over it. At its peak, the time of the emperor Septimus Sevirus, the town was inhabited by 10,000 people.

UNESCO sights of interest: #1 The old town of Fez

   Fez is one of the most important cultural centers of Morroco. It was founded by the Idrisid dynasty and flourished in the 14th century. The older part of the town which is known as Fez el Bali is surrounded by walls with 12 gates. Some important munuments that are included in the UNESCO catalogue, are: The currier's district (1st image), the Kaiouran mosque, the religious schools (2nd image), the tomb of Mulay Indris II and the Netzarin square.

Atlas Mountains

   One of the most charachteristic Morrocan spots, is the Atlas mountain range. It extends in 2500 km across Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco and its highest peak is Jbel Toubkal in Morroco with an elevation of 4,157m. It separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Sahara desert. It is populated mostly by Berbers and its highly known for its variation of animal species. 

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(Source: Wikipedia)

Moroccan Bulletin Headlines

•   HM the King inaugurates craft training center 

•  Prime Minister represents HM the King in world summit on food security

•  A/H1N1 cases in Morocco rise to 771 

(source: Agency Maghreb Arabe Press)

Moroccan Capital: Rabat

   Rabat  is the capital city of Morocco. It is populated by 1.800.000 people (2009 estimate) and its the second largest and the second most important Moroccan city after Casablanca. Its is situated at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, on the Atlantic Ocean's Moroccan shores.

  The history of the city dates back on the 3rd cent. BC. That time there was a settlement there called Chellah. The city was occupied by the Romans and many centuries ago by Arabic people. It was recalled  Ribatu I-Fath (=stronghold of victory) in the mid 12th century due its military importance, from which it derives its current name. Rabat played key role in the Arab-Spanish wars and thus it bacame the capital of the empire of  Yaqub al-Mansur.

  The city faced several adventures until eventually in 1912 followed the common Moroccan faith to became a city of a french protectorate. After Morocco achieved independence, Rabat remained Morocco's capital.

Major Sights

•  Chellah - A necropolis of ancient and medieval ruins, located in the modern section of Rabat

• The Mauseleum of King Mohammed V - A masterpiece of modern Alaouite architecture. It contains the tombs of the king and his two sons King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah 

 

•  Hassan Tower - A minaret of an incomplete mosque of  the 12th century. It was intented to be the highest mosque of its time but left unfinished

(Source: Wiki Rabat portal)

Moroccan Bulletin Headlines

•   HM King Mohammed IV inaugurates $527 k  senior shelter in southeastern Morocco

•   HM the King inquires about program to upgrade "Merzouga", "Hasi Labied" urban centers

•   Morocco to set up agency for oasis development

•   Foreign Minister: A political settlement of Sahara issue is possible if Algeria had required will

(source: Agency Maghreb Arabe Press)

The Moroccan King Mohammed IV

   Mohammed IV of the house of Alaoui  was born in 1963 and ascended to the country's throne in July 1999 following his father King Hassan II. During the short period of his rule, he had done several efforts on improving the country's social life mainly in aspects of human rights and of woman's social position. He reformed the traditional family law Mudawana in order to give more power to Moroccan women.

General info about Morocco

   Continent: Africa

   Area: 446.550 sq.km

   Population: 29,680,069 (2004 census)

   Capital: Rabat

   Largest City: Casablanca

   Language: Arabic

   Second Language: French

   Currency: Moroccan Dirham

   Government: Constitutional Monarchy (King Mohammed IV)

   Religion: Islam

   Ethnic Groups: Arab 98%, Jewish 0,2%, Other 0,7%

   GDP: $137.126 billion

   Per Capita: $4.362

   (source: Wiki Morocco Portal)

  

Moroccan Flag Symbolisms

   The Moroccan flag is red with a green pentacle depicted on its center. The two basic colors represent different things. The red color is associated with bravery and strength, whilst the green symbolises joy and love. Green is also the traditional color of Islam. The Moroccan symbol in the middle depicts the green Suleyman's star which is also known as Solomon's pentagon. The similar hexegram of the Jewish tradition is known as the Star of David.

Introducing my blog: Modern World Prism

I decided to create this blog, in order to concentrate as much information as I could about the world's countries and nations, something like a big mosaic where any small or big fact about today's world could be read. Each month my blog will be dedicated to a country. I will post any information i can find on a daily basis and everyone's is welcome to post a comment or whatever about that country or its people. This month's selected country is Morocco so from now on and until 10 december my blog will be dedicated to this charming African country.

Thank you all

Nikos