City Introduction

As the Capital of Morocco, it is situated in the estuary of Bou Regreg River, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, and it is called as one of the four imperial cities with Fez, Marrakesh and Meknes in Morocco. It has been the capital of Morocco since its establishment in 1912.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

The earliest residents were the Berber people. In the 7th century, the Arabians came in and build the first Arabian kingdom in the 8th century. The existing Alaouite Dynasty was built in 1660, and Mohammed VI is the 23rd king of this dynasty. Since the 15th century, the western powers invaded this country one after another. On March 30, 1912, it was reduced to the French protectorate. In the same year, France signed “Treaty of Madrid” with Spain, the north and south Ifni of Morocco were classified as the Spanish protectorate. On March 2, 1956, Morocco gained independence. On August 14, 1957, the country was named as Kingdom of Morocco, and the Sultan was renamed as the King. In February 1961, the King Mohammed V died. In March, the King Hassan II ascended to the throne. In July 23, 1999, the King Hassan II died and the Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed was enthroned on the same day, and the formal ceremony was held on July 30. He is called Mohammed VI.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

As the Capital of Morocco, Rabat is situated in the estuary of Bou Regreg River, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the political and cultural center and traffic hub of Morocco. In the urban area, the houses are tidy and clean, the streets are wide and straight. The Atlantic coast is on the south of the city, where there is flat, fine and soft beach, as the tourist attraction in the summer.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Rabat is situated in the northwest African tropical zone, being hot and dry in summer, and warm and humid in winter. But the northern coastal area basically has the Mediterranean climate under the influence of the Mediterranean Sea, being warm in four seasons, while the west and northwest of Morocco are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Average atmospheric temperature in January is 12°C, average atmospheric temperature in April is 20°C, and average atmospheric temperature in July is 22-28°C. Atlas Mountains region has frequent rain and snow, the south region belongs to the Sahara Desert, with hot climate and little rain. Average annual precipitation from north to middle is 800-200mm.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Notes for travelling in Morocco

1. Local currency: 1 Moroccan dirham = USD 0.12 = RMB 0.95

2. Local voltage: 220 V, Europe double-cannon plug. Domestic tourists have to take a changeover plug for electronic devices.

3. Local time: 8 hours later than Beijing time

4. Local climate: Subtropical Mediterranean climate and desert climate, the temperate in April is ideal for tourism. The daily average temperature is 26℃, with the minimum temperature of 16 to 18℃; it is hot at noon.

5. Local customs: Morocco is an Islamic country where eating pork is banned. And tourists need to take off shoes during visiting the mosque or museum.

6. Guidance for dressing: Long-sleeved unlined garment is appropriate, and jacket should be prepared for the early morning and evening. Ladies should wear a long skirt over knees and coat over shoulders in public places, and over revealing and short clothes are taboo here.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Dirham is Morocco's current currency, which is issued by the central bank, and the Administration of Exchange Control of the Treasury Department is in charge of foreign exchange control. The face values of Morocco dirham notes include: 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 dirhams and coins with face value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes and 1 dirham. 1 dirham is equal to 100 centimes. Please check real-time daily dirham foreign exchange rates before your travel.

Islam is the official religion of Morocco. More than 99% of the residents believe in Islam, mainly Sunni; and the rest of the population believes in Christianity and Judaism.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

International code: 212, also 00212, 00 212, 00-212, + 212, +212-, + 00212, 212, 0212, 000212, etc.

Example: The order of dialing a number in place A in Morocco from China by using a fixed-line telephone or mobile phone is "00212-place A's district code-place A's number", hyphen "-" is not required in actual dialing.

 

 

 

 

Notes

Please don't shoot the local military facilities, as well as local women due to the Muslim traditions.

Wireless communications: China Mobile is available in Morocco, but you need to open international roaming service (please consult the China Mobile service hotline 10086 for detailed information). 10086）

Morocco is a country with good public security in the North Africa, where people are simple and honest. Poor people, as in other North African countries, will not be seen here. The roads are wide and tidy, but you still have to take care of your belongings when wandering in markets. Remember to take the hotel contact card, record the contact information of Chinese-speaking tour guide and your own identity documents. Please be advised that Morocco is still a developing country that its tourist reception is still poor when compared with Europe and other developed countries.

Due to the environmental protection demands, tooth cleaning things (toothbrush and toothpaste), shaving supplies (razor and shaving cream) and bathing plastic slippers are not supplied in local hotels, please bring your own.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Declaration of Independence Day: January 11 Labor Day: May 1

National Day (the day when the king ascended the throne): July 30 Return Day: August 14

King & People's Revolution Day: August 20 Youth Day/King's Birthday: August 21

Green March: November 6 Independence Day: November 18

Mohammedian calendar festivals: Mohammedian calendar New Year, Hari Raya, Eid Al-Adha and the Prophet Birthday (dates of festivals change each year as they are calculated according to Mohammedian calendar).

August every year sees staff in Moroccan governments and enterprises have a vacation.