Morocco is a fabled destination for travelers, known for its spectacular mountain scenery, its colorful bazaars, and its ancient capitals at Fès and Marrakech. The name Morocco in most other languages originates from the name of the former capital, Marrakech.

Morocco is located at the crossroads of several worlds: African, Mediterranean, Christian, and Islamic. From these varied influences the country has forged a distinctive culture, apparent in its arts and architecture, language, cuisine, and outlook on the world. Spain lies directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, only 13 km (8 mi) distant.

The people of Morocco are mainly Arabs and Berbers or of mixed Arab and Berber ancestry. Arabic is the official language of the country, but many people speak a Berber language, especially in rural areas. French is also spoken in the cities. Morocco’s economy is based largely on agriculture, but tourism contributes significantly.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with a king as head of state and a prime minister as head of the government. Rabat, where the king lives, is the capital of Morocco. Casablanca, south of Rabat along the Atlantic coast, is the country’s largest city and commercial center. Morocco borders the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to its north and east, and the Sahara to its south.

Morocco has the broadest plains and the highest mountains in North Africa. The country has four main natural regions. An area of highlands, called Er Rif, runs parallel to the Mediterranean coast in the north, from Tangier to the Algerian border. The Atlas Mountains, the second region, extend across the center of the country from the southwest to the northeast. The Taza Depression lies between Er Rif and the Atlas Mountains, allowing passage across the northern interior of Morocco into Algeria. Broad coastal plains along the Atlantic Ocean form the third region, framed by Er Rif and the Atlas Mountains. Finally, plains and valleys south of the Atlas Mountains merge with the Sahara along the southeastern border of Morocco. Most Moroccans inhabit the Atlantic coastal plain.

The Atlas Mountains consist of several distinct and parallel ranges. The highest range, known as the High Atlas or Grand Atlas, is in the middle. The next highest range, known as the Middle Atlas, lies to the north of the High Atlas. A lower range, called the Anti-Atlas, lies to the south of the High Atlas. The highest mountain in Morocco is Jebel Toubkal in the Grand Atlas.

Sandy beaches interrupted by rocky outcrops line the Atlantic coast of Morocco, with particularly fine beaches from Agadir south, sharp drops to the Mediterranean along Er Rif, and stunning Mediterranean beaches along the Tangier Peninsula.