Morocco boasts an amazing modification in terrain and vegetation, with fertile fields 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 percent
permanent pastures 47%
forests and woodland 20%
other 11%
Mountains
there are many 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 often heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter lots of the mountains are covered in snow. Many mountain animals live here, including the peculiar Atalas monkey, along with a big variety of migratory birds and birds of prey,eg eagles. There is an enormous bird reserve found where the Moulouya brook flows into the Mediterranean sea.
Amtoudi peak : 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. An impressive view awaits you at the top.
Atlas Mountains : Filling the majority of the northwestern corner of Africa, the Atlas are split 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 has some extremely rough landscape. At the edge of the Anti-Atlas in the intense south, the scenery is consists of vast, eroded gorges which flow with the rivers into the dry, desolate wastes of the Sahara desert.
Chefchaouen Mountains : found 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 : located near Tiznit, south of Agadir. These mountains are covered with oregano and broadcast the scent across the valley. At the pinnacle of these mountains ( 1,500 meters above sea level ) are two caves used by goats for shelter.
Rif Mountains : located on the northernmost area of Morocco on the north eastern boundaries of the Atalas mountains. The Rif mountains are made from steep cliffs, close to the coastline of Mediterranean Morocco where the terrain is rough.
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 is a remote area adorned with volcanic monoliths, vegetated plateaux, ravines, tiny Berber hamlets and the nomadic Ait Atta folks. The Sarho are arguably the most charming mountains in all of Morocco.
Setti Fatma : Located at the end of the Ourika Valley in Marrakesh. It has 7 beautiful waterfalls, amazing views and mountain long trails for toughened walkers.
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, although these have now faded.
Tan Tan Mountains : located down south. Famous for its very flat top and hollowness in some parts of the mountain.
brooks
Morocco has the most intensive stream system in North Africa. Its rivers generally 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 world’s biggest desert and in Arabic its name means’wilderness’. The Sahara does not fit the standard 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 region survive with little water ; some have extremely deep roots, others have little leaves or spines. Desert animals must also survive with small water and many COMMA for example. The desert fox, remain concealed in 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 are rich for farming, producing almost all of the state’s fruit and plants. It is well irrigated by the melt water from mountain snows from the Atlas. Everyday 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 from 16 to twenty-three C and in summer, from 33 to 42 C. Like Spain, Morocco has roughly 330 days of sunlight each year.
Mountain peaks are covered with snow for most of the year.
Desert temperature fluctuations between night and day are acute and rainfall is low and unpredictable.
The Environment’s Future
Morocco’s natural environment is under pressure in a variety number of ways : The accelerating 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 now productive areas in the future.
For more information about travel and useful tips for tourists, visit famouswonders.com and check out Asilah attractions.
Tags: geography, Morocco, river, vegetation
