Features

Traveling and Exploring Oujda Morocco

Known in Moroccan history for its strong-minded university students who aren’t afraid to protest for their cause, Oujda is Morocco’s most populated northern city. When compared to the cities southward in the Rif Mountains, Oujda has an open, liberated air to it that is comparable to Rabat. Due to its closeness to Algeria and its strategic location, different empires and governments have controlled it over the last centuries.

Morocco's Tourist and Travel Getaway

Near the still Spanish-influenced towns of Asilah and Tangier, Larache is a relaxed getaway, especially in the summer months when Moroccan tourists flock to the Loucos River to enjoy late-afternoon picnics. Roman ruins can also be found here and are second only to Volubilis. They are known as the ruins of Lixus and are the remnants of the famed Garden of Hesperides.

Al Hoceima, Morocco: After the Quake

Overlooking the Mediterranean and surrounded by the Rif Mountains on other sides, Al Hoceima was and still is a quiet town nestled near what many call the nicest beaches in the north of Morocco. It is still recovering from an earthquake that occurred in February 2004, which killed over 500 people and left thousands homeless. The Moroccan and Spanish governments remain in cooperation to help the local population get back on their feet. While the area is known for some of its fault-line activity, ever since it experienced a previous earthquake ten years prior in 1994, and another of greater strength in 1990, this hasn’t halted local or foreign tourists from donning their bathing suits to explore the crystal clear turquoise water.

Morocco’s Casablanca - Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid!

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with a population of over 3 million and it is home to more than 10% of all Moroccans. Surprisingly to some, Casablanca is not a Mediterranean city, but instead is located in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean coast. The name “Casablanca” is of Portuguese origin, meaning “white house”. Portugal’s influence on the city began in the 15th century. The original settlement, known as Anfa, was attacked and occupied by Portugal in 1468 on the pretext of eliminating pirates who were using the port as a base from which to harass Portuguese shipping. Casablanca thrived under Portuguese rule until the Great 1755 Earthquake destroyed the town, as well as Lisbon, the capitol of Portugal. It was not until the end of the 18th century that Moroccan leader Sidi Mohammed III reconstructed the town. Although known in Arabic as Dar el Beida, it still retained the name Casablanca - both terms meaning White House in English.