Morocco’s climate varies widely
Morocco boasts an amazing modification in terrain and foliage, with fertile fields near its Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and The Sahara Desert.
Location : Morocco is situated in northwest Africa and is separated from Spain at the northernmost tip by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar. Morocco’s land borders are with Algeria and Mauritania. The Atlantic ocean lies to the west and the Mediterranean to the north.
Land mass : Approx. 446,000sq km
Land use :
arable land 21%
permanent crops one percent
permanent pastures 47%
forests and woodland twenty percent
other 11%
Mountains
there are many fantastic mountain ranges in Morocco on which you can climb, hike, ski or ride mules. The amazing variety of foliage, natural water features and mountain tops is enticing.
The mountains are frequently heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter plenty of the mountains are covered in snow. Many mountain animals live here, including the peculiar Atalas monkey, along with a large variety of migratory birds and birds of prey, such as eagles. There is a huge bird reserve located where the Moulouya stream flows into the Mediterranean sea.
Amtoudi top : found south of Agadir. You can either climb the 20-30 cm narrow, rocky trail along the edge, or hire a mule to do the job for you. An impressive view awaits you at the top.
Atlas Mountains : Filling the majority of the northwestern corner of Africa, the Atlas are split into five regions stretching from Morocco, through northerly Algeria and touching Tunisia.
Morocco has the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas. The High Atlas is the highest range, with Jabal Toubkal stretching to 4,165 metres. The Middle Atlas reaches 3,350 metres and the Anti Atlas doesn’t reach higher than 2,531 metres, but it has some awfully rugged landscape. At the edge of the Anti-Atlas in the intense south, the views are consists of massive, eroded gorges which flow with the brooks into the dry, desolate wastes of the Sahara desert.
Chefchaouen Mountains : found in the north east, south of Tetouan. The Chefchaouen Mountains have 2 peaks, Jebel Meggou at 1,625 meters above sea level and Jebel Tisouka with its mosque on top at 2,050 meters.
Oregano Mountains, Taliouine : located near Tiznit, south of Agadir. These mountains are covered with oregano and transmit the smell across the valley. At the head of these mountains ( 1,500 meters above sea level ) are two caves utilized by goats for shelter.
Rif Mountains : found on the northernmost area of Morocco on the north eastern boundaries of the Atalas mountains. The Rif mountains are made from steep cliffs, near the shore of Mediterranean Morocco where the terrain is craggy.
Sarhro Mountains : located south west of Marrakesh. They seem to be a superb winter trekking destination as the desert cools and the High Atlas Mountains become covered with snow. It’s a remote area embellished with volcanic obelisks, vegetated plateaux, ravines, tiny Berber hamlets and the winding Ait Atta people. The Sarho are arguably the most interesting mountains in the whole of Morocco.
Setti Fatma : Located at the end of the Ourika Valley in Marrakesh. It has 7 beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views and mountain long trails for toughened hikers.
Tafraoute Mountains : located south east of Agadir. The rocky, pink mountains here are the main attractions. A Belgian artist, Jean Verame, once painted some of the rocks blue in 1984, though these have now faded.
Tan Tan Mountains : found down south. Known for its very flat top and hollowness in some bits of the mountain.
streams
Morocco has the most intensive brook system in North Africa. Its rivers often flow northwest to the Atlantic or southeast towards the Sahara Desert. The main streams of Morocco are the Sebou which runs into the Atlantic, and the Moulouya running into the Mediterranean.
Deserts
To the south and east lies the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is the planet’s biggest desert and in Arabic its name means’wilderness’. The Sahara doesn’t fit the traditional idea of an entirely flat and waterless area. There are streams in the hills and the desert oases support both human and animal life.
Plants in the desert area survive with tiny water ; some have terribly deep roots, others have little leaves or spines. Desert animals must also survive with small water and many COMMA eg. The desert fox, remain hidden during the heat of the day others, such as gazelles, travel many miles in search of water.
fruitful fields
These are to be found along the Atlantic coast, stretching to the Atlas Mountains and they’re rich for agriculture, producing almost all of the country’s fruit and vegetables. It is well irrigated by the melt water from mountain snows from the Atlas. Everyday plants are orange trees, date palms and cork oak trees.
Climate
Morocco’s climate varies widely : The north is Mediterranean and the south is subtropical while the sea and mountains help to maintain an agreeable climate.
Winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry. Average daytime temperatures in winter range between 16 to twenty-three C and in summer, from thirty three to 42 C. Like Spain, Morocco has approximately 330 days of sunlight per year.
Mountain peaks are covered with snow for most of the year.
Desert temperature fluctuations between night and day are extreme and rainfall is low and unpredictable.
The Environment’s Future
Morocco’s natural environment is under stress in a selection number of ways : The accelerating number of tourists and the over exploitation of resources such as oil and phosphates could damage the ecosystem in the desert. Overgrazing and the spread of the desert might also threaten currently productive areas in the future.
If you find this article useful, you may also visit famouswonders.com to read more about some of the best places to visit and have a look at Asilah.
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