The Lifestyle in Morocco

Occupying a space that is slightly larger than California, Morocco is located in North Africa. Its closest neighbours are Western Sahara, Algeria and Spain.

History of Morocco

At various times, Morocco has been inhabited by Ethiopians and Libyans, who were known as Berbers. Over time, other national groups started to make their own impression on the area, including Arabs, Byzantines, Phoenicians, Spaniards, Romans, Portuguese, Europeans, Turks and the French.

Morocco’s People

The country’s people are truly the pulse of this nation. They enjoy a rich culture that stems from the diversity of cultures who have influenced it during its history. Today, most of the country’s population is descended from Arabs and Berbers, and they are referred to as Berbers. There is a small population of Jews and black African Moroccans.

Working in Morocco

Morocco’s official languages are Arabic and Berber. Its distinctive Arabic dialect is called Darija, and most of its population can communicate to some degree in Moroccan Arabic.

French is spoken in mid-size and large companies, the media and in government institutions. It is often used in international commerce with French-speaking countries and international diplomacy. French is taught as a required language in schools and about one-third of the population speaks French.

Religious Beliefs

The vast majority (over 98 percent) of Moroccans are Muslim. The rest of the population practice Christianity (Roman Catholic or Protestant) or Judaism.

Moroccan Cuisine

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Since Moroccan society has been influenced by so many cultures, it only makes sense that its cuisine would be a mixture of Arab, Berber, French, African, Jewish, Middle East and Mediterranean influences.

The main meal is eaten at midday, with the exception of the holy month of Ramadan. Bread is served at every meal, and the most common varieties are heavy, soft crusted and absorbent. They are meant to be dipped into a Tagine, which is a traditional stew or sauce.

Couscous is the national dish of Morocco. This rolled semolina cereal is prepared and eaten on Fridays, although a few people incorporate it into their diet through the week. It is also eaten at weddings, funerals and on holidays like Ramadan. It can be served under meat or a vegetable stew, eaten warm or cold as a side dish or a dessert. In Morocco, couscous is a communal dish and is traditionally eaten with the hands. It is rolled into a ball before being consumed.

Spices are an important part of Moroccan cuisine. The most important ones are cayenne, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, aniseed (fennel), sesame seeds, cumin, paprika, and saffron.

Mint tea is the national drink, and it is served in private homes and in markets. It is customary to drink at least three glasses of this green tea before or after a meal. Mint tea is also consumed to symbolize the closure of a business deal.

Morocco’s Economy

The country attracted more than 10 million visitors in 2013, and its government has invested a substantial amount in the tourism industry to attract new visitors to this exotic, safe and economical place to visit.

Morocco’s proximity to Spain makes it an increasingly popular tourist destination for European visitors. French national make up about 20 percent of Morocco’s visitors each year, and the most popular time for European visitors to come to Morocco is in April and

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Traveling to Morocco

Lifestyles differ greatly, depending on whether someone is living in an urban or rural area. People living in rural areas in this country of 30 million inhabitants are generally not all that well off. They may grow plants or tend livestock to meet their daily needs.

The cities, however, bustle with life every day. Rabat is the capital city, and Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco. Souks (markets) are a part of the city, where different items are available for sale on particular street sections or in the city square each day. The market attracts large crowds but there is a particular elegance to its movement.

Vendors and customers alike know that bargaining for the price of an item is an expected part of the shopping experience. The price shown on an item is meant as a starting point in the transaction. The vendor expects the customer to offer a lower price.

Visitors to Morocco who are not sure about how much to offer for an item can politely tell the vendor they will return later. This gives them time to go to a store which sells similar items at a fixed price. Go back to the souk and bargain for the item at a price somewhere around that amount to make a deal with the vendor. Patience and persistence are very important when working out these types of transactions.

Some of the most popular items found in Moroccan souks are carpets, rugs and blankets. All of them are crafted by hand in the Moroccan style. Prices depend on the part of the country where the souk is located; in large cities, the quality of materials and prices are higher than in what is available in smaller centres.

Morocco is a fascinating country that will no doubt be the source of many wonderful memories if you get the chance to visit it for work or as a tourist. The experience will be even richer if you know how to speak Arabic before you arrive. London Arabic Tuition has the skilled instructors available to provide you with a comprehensive course of study that can fit your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.