Whenever you mention the name of Morocco, the pictures of the expansive stretches of golden dunes, lush green lines of palm trees, and life-giving oases, are obvious to come to your mind. Morocco or formally the Kingdom of Morocco, is one of the leading countries in North Africa, which features a spectacular coastline along the Atlantic Ocean that extends up to the Mediterranean Sea by passing across the Strait of Gibraltar. Morocco is snuggled on the northwestern limit of Africa isolated from the other parts of the continent by the extensive Sahara desert and the soaring Atlas Mountains.History, geography and climate of Morocco is associated more intimately with Mediterranean than to the other parts of Africa and due to this reason only visitors in Morocco at times wonder why they haven’t yet arrived at Africa despite their presence in Morocco. The fabulous white beaches, breathtaking highland valleys and charming old cities in its north emphasize this notion. But when you travel to the east and south of Morocco into and across the magnificent mountain ranges of the Atlases, the Mediterranean feel of Morocco that enthralls you fades away in the same way a mirage does, and you can see the Sahara spotted with the dark Kasbahs stretching out as far as your eyes can reach.
Morocco is positioned at the limit of the northwestern bend of Africa, and is enclosed by Mauritania in the south, Algeria in the east and Spain in the north. Morocco is the sole country in the African continent that is not a member of the renowned African Union at present. But it is a member of the Arab Maghreb Union, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mediterranean Dialogue group, Franchophonie and the Group of 77. Geography of Morocco is characterized by four independent mountain ranges, green river valleys, stunning sandy coastlines and never-ending stretches of mysterious desert. The three most important mountain ranges that run collimate from the southwestern part of the country to the northeastern part, are known as the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas and the Middle Atlas, the Jebel Toukbal (4,165 m), the highest peak of Morocco being included on the High Atlas Mountain. The coastline of Morocco that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, features a number of remarkable beaches and historical beach cities. The mountain ranges of this country surrender inevitably to the wild stretch of the Sahara. The rivers moving downstream along the sides of the High Atlas Mountain feed the green river valleys just like the oases of the desert. Climate of Morocco is Mediterranean and it features extreme conditions in the interior mountainous parts of the country. Forests make almost 12% of the total area of the country whereas cultivable land comprises 18% of the total area, 5% of which is watered. Morocco also features rich biodiversity by its numerous wildlife forms, birds being the most inevitable part of the diverse wildlife forms of Morocco.
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