Geography, climate and weather Morocco
Geography
Morocco, a mountainous country, draws the geological continuity of Europe through the Rif, before disappearing, along the Atlantic into the desert sands of Mauritania.
The mountain was long an obstacle to communication between the North and the South.
The Middle Atlas is deployed in a relief sometimes essentially limestone dotted with volcanic cones, sometimes through a pleated area where stands the Jebel Bou Naceur (3340 m). This is the water tower of Morocco because it stops the Atlantic disturbances and renders thanks to its water system. This is the land of sources.
The High Atlas stretches for 700 km a succession of peaks. It rises to 4,167 m at Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. In its central part, its southern slope is cut by two major events: the gorges of Todra and Dades Gorge, Morocco's tourism jewels.
The Anti-Atlas is a string arid geologically very old, which extends from the mouth of Oued Draa Valley Tafilalet edge of the desert. Vegetation is scarce in this massive austere and barren.
As the Rif, it is none other than the extension of the Betic Cordillera of southern Spain. It is a green area, covered with forests, and culminating in Jebel Tidighine (2450 m).
Sebou Basin, one of the major agricultural regions of the country, connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic. Lined plains, the coast has the most urbanized regions and the country's richest.
South on the other side of the Anti-Atlas, the Sahara begins. Two great valleys are distinguished: Tafilalet and the Draa Valley, the rock carvings attest its ancient human occupation. A country virtually without water, where nomadic herders Ait Atta and activate oasis where harvesters dates.
Finally, eastern Morocco, away from the tourist track, is composed of poor and badly watered land, culminating in some highlands which extend to the Algerian border.
The Western Sahara issue
Bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, is predominantly Western Sahara controlled by Morocco, the United Nations, which is considered a non-autonomous territory, not not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over these lands.
Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony in sub-soil rich in phosphates. Created in 1973 by nationalists Sahrawi Polisario group claiming self-determination, and opposes linking the Spanish Sahara in Morocco and Mauritania. After the peaceful invasion of the territory by hundreds of thousands of Moroccan civilians exalted Madrid gives the northern two-thirds of its colony in Morocco and the third south to Mauritania: the Green March of November 6, 1975.
In 1976, several Sahrawi tribes constitute Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Mauritania abandoned the piece in 1979, Morocco occupying the land.
The Saharawi independence Polisario Front, supported by Algeria in particular, fought for the independence of the territory until the conclusion of a cease-fire in 1991.
The Sahrawi Arab is now recognized by more than 70 states, but not by Morocco administers and occupies about 80% of the territory. Control areas of Morocco and the Polisario are separated by a wall of sand built by the Moroccans. The Moroccan-controlled area to the west of the wall, protected by minefields and fortifications.
Morocco proposes a plan for broad autonomy under its sovereignty, rejecting independence. The Polisario claims about him organizing a referendum on self-determination under the UN auspices. Both parties have reached so far no agreement, and still claim to Western Sahara.
Climate
- The Atlantic coastline enjoys a pleasant and temperate winters are mild, summers are hot and beautiful. Quite windy all year round and relatively cold water. Beware also of ocean currents.
- The northern part of the country has a Mediterranean climate. If it can get very hot in the coastal cities at the beginning of spring, the climate in the Rif is much cooler. Chefchaouen harsh winter, and sometimes thick fog on the mountain roads even quite late in the spring.
- Towards the center, the climate is pleasant, the winters are particularly harsh and arid summers. The highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa, stands at 4167 m. Thus, it is not uncommon for snowfall exceeding 1 m in some villages of the Atlas. In addition, in this region, the nights are cool.
- Further south, the climate is desert.
Everywhere, temperature differences may be important in the same day. Throughout the Atlantic coast of Morocco, May-August, a thick fog often stagnates in the morning, before leaving the place in the sun to 13h or 14h. This is a weather phenomenon called "white sky".
The average annual sunshine than 8 hours per day in Agadir, Fez, Marrakech and Ouarzazate, and the average temperature exceeds 17 ° C. The Chergui, hot dry wind from the east, sometimes blows from the desert, and pushed the mercury.
Spring is by far the best time to visit the country. The trees are in bloom. In the fall, everything was grilled by the summer sun, better opt for the imperial cities.
For regions south of the High Atlas, prefer the period from October to May, because in summer, the temperature is around 45 ° C.
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