As a country part of both the Greater Maghreb and the Arab world, located in North-West Africa, the Moroccan territory is bounded to the north by the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea, to the south by Mauritania, to the east by Algeria and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.

Its geographical location, at the crossroads of three worlds between which it has always served as a link between Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe makes this land a true melting pot of civilizations.

Morocco covers a total area of 710,850 sq. m while its coastline stretches over 3,500 km.

MOROCCO’S LANDSCAPES

The unique geographical situation of Morocco is what makes its landscapes so diverse.

North of Morocco, the Mediterranean sea

SEA AND OCEAN

The country is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea.
Morocco has the longest coastline on the African continent with 3,500 km.

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MOUNTAINS

They take up over two thirds of the territory and consist of four mountain ranges: the High Atlas, the Middle Atlas, the Anti-Atlas and the Rif. The Toubkal which culminates at 4,167 m is the highest summit in Africa.

A camel ride

DESERTS

The many and varied Moroccan deserts mainly extend to the south. Whether stone deserts (regs), high plateaus (hamadas), or sand dunes (ergs), each one features their particularities but all of them fascinate the travelers coming here to find the serenity that is typical of the local inhabitants.

Plains of Rharb

PLAINS

They stretch from the Rif Mountains to the Middle Atlas Mountains. The Sebou Basin, the plains of the Gharb, Souss and Haouz, bathed by numerous rivers are very fertile (citrus fruits and market gardening abound in particular); for the southernmost plains, the dam policy makes it possible to compensate for the rainfall deficit.
Other smaller fertile plains and valleys are located mainly in the north: Lukos, Nekkor, Trifa, valley of the Ouergha, Baht, Inaouen wadis.

A clear stream

RIVERS

Among the great rivers of Morocco, the Moulouya has its source in the Middle Atlas and flows into the Mediterranean after a course of 520 km; the Sebou has its source in the Middle Atlas at an altitude of 2030 m; the Bouregreg, separates the cities of Rabat and Salé; the Tensift crosses Marrakesh and the Sous, Agadir; the Draa, which is 1100 km long, is visible only 50 km before its mouth and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Red flower in a Moroccan garden

THE FLORA

There are approximately 7,000 different species of known flora. The vascular flora is massively represented in forest ecosystems where almost two thirds of the species live; the remaining third is mainly shared between steppe formations and wetland biotopes.

arganier

TREES OF MOROCCO

Morocco is characterized by many tree species.

The argan tree is endemic in Morocco; its name comes from the Berber “argan” which designates either the species or the oil extracted from it. It is mainly found in the Souss and on the edge of the Sahara, in the Draâ region.  Today, Argan oil is widely used for culinary and cosmetic purposes.

Tuya is also an almost endemic tree of the Atlas, more precisely of the Souss Massa region. It grows in semi-arid areas, both on plains and in medium-sized mountainous terrain; its dark red speckled wood with a characteristic smell is highly prized by craftsmen and cabinetmakers who make boxes, trays or furniture from it.

The olive tree, the Mediterranean chief symbol tree can be found throughout Morocco, but more particularly in the Anti-Atlas; its uses and benefits are multiple; olives and their oil are the basis of Moroccan cuisine. Its wood also has exceptional calorific properties.

The date palm is a plant with a hollow trunk that needs water, warmth and sun to grow.  It has been cultivated for 4,000 years before our era. There are 4.5 million date palms in Morocco, two thirds of which are concentrated in the regions of Ouarzazate and Errachidia.

The cedar tree is also prevalent in Morocco, almost as much as it is in Lebanon. While Morocco has the main cedar grove in the Mediterranean basin (134,000 hectares) mainly in the Middle and High Atlas, this national treasure is threatened by climate change and human-induced environmental stress. A comprehensive preservation plan is being implemented to protect it.