{"site":"Bab Lblad","language":"en","checked":"2026-10-08","source":"https://bablblad.com/en/","facts":["The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez was founded in 859 by a woman, Fatima al-Fihri. UNESCO and Guinness World Records recognise it as the oldest university in the world still operating.","Mount Toubkal, at 4,167 metres, is the highest peak in North Africa.","In 1777 Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States. The friendship treaty of 1786 is the longest unbroken treaty in American history.","The American Legation in Tangier is the only US National Historic Landmark outside the United States.","Fossils found at Jebel Irhoud, west of Marrakech, are about 300,000 years old. They are the oldest known remains of our species.","Shell beads found in Bizmoune Cave near Essaouira are about 142,000 years old, the oldest jewellery discovered so far.","The minaret of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca rises 210 metres, and part of the mosque is built over the Atlantic.","Fes el-Bali, the old medina of Fez, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.","The argan tree grows wild almost nowhere but south-western Morocco. Its forest is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.","Morocco holds about 70% of the world's known phosphate reserves.","In 2022 the Atlas Lions became the first African team, and the first Arab team, to reach a World Cup semi-final.","Morocco will host the 2030 World Cup together with Spain and Portugal.","Al Boraq, opened in 2018 between Tangier and Casablanca, is Africa's first high-speed train. It runs at up to 320 km/h.","Tanger Med is the largest container port in Africa and in the Mediterranean.","Noor Ouarzazate is one of the largest solar power complexes in the world.","Ibn Battuta, born in Tangier in 1304, travelled about 120,000 kilometres in thirty years, from West Africa to China.","The Koutoubia in Marrakech, the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville are sister minarets, all built by the Almohads in the 12th century.","The film Casablanca, released in 1942, was shot entirely in Hollywood. Not one scene was filmed in Morocco.","Ait Ben Haddou and the studios of Ouarzazate appear in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones.","Ifrane recorded the lowest temperature ever measured in Africa: minus 23.9 °C, on 11 February 1935.","The Barbary macaque of the Middle Atlas is the only macaque that lives outside Asia.","Oukaimeden, above Marrakech, is one of the highest ski resorts in Africa, with a lift to about 3,200 metres.","Morocco is the only African country with a coast on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean: about 3,500 kilometres in all.","At the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco and Spain are only 14 kilometres apart.","Tamazight has been an official language, alongside Arabic, since the 2011 Constitution. It is written in the Tifinagh script.","Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, has been a paid public holiday since 2024.","Couscous joined UNESCO's list of intangible heritage in 2020, in a file shared by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania.","UNESCO inscribed Gnawa music in 2019 and tbourida, the cavalry charge with gunpowder, in 2021.","The word Morocco comes from Marrakech. In Persian and Urdu, the whole country is still called Marrakech.","In Arabic the country is al-Maghrib: the place where the sun sets.","The red flag with its green five-pointed star dates from 1915.","The Chouara tannery in Fez has been treating hides in its stone vats since the Middle Ages.","Morocco is the world's leading exporter of canned sardines.","Most Moroccan saffron comes from Taliouine in the Anti-Atlas. The flowers are picked by hand at dawn in late autumn.","Every May, Kelaat M'Gouna celebrates the rose harvest in the Valley of Roses.","Mint tea became the national drink in the 19th century, when Chinese green tea arrived through British merchants.","The Marathon des Sables crosses about 250 kilometres of the Moroccan Sahara in six stages.","The dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, rise to about 150 metres.","The Ouzoud falls drop about 110 metres. They are the highest in the country.","Chefchaouen was founded in 1471.","From 1923 to 1956 Tangier was an international zone, run jointly by several foreign powers.","The Idrisid dynasty founded the first Moroccan state in 788. Fez, its capital, was founded a year later.","The Alaouite dynasty has reigned since the 17th century. Morocco is one of the oldest monarchies in the world.","Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, from the medina of Fez to Rabat, the modern capital.","The Dakhla lagoon is one of the world's best-known kitesurfing spots, with wind about 300 days a year.","The 2024 census counted 36.8 million inhabitants.","Morocco has 12 regions, from Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima in the north to Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab in the south.","Zellige is made by chiselling glazed tiles by hand into small shapes, then assembling them face down like a puzzle.","A tagine is both the dish and the clay pot it cooks in. The cone sends the steam back down onto the food.","Jemaa el-Fna helped inspire UNESCO's idea of intangible heritage. The square was among the first masterpieces proclaimed, in 2001.","Volubilis, near Meknes, was a Roman city. Its mosaics are still in place, in the open air.","The Mawazine festival in Rabat is one of the best-attended music festivals in the world.","The Green March of 6 November 1975 brought together 350,000 unarmed marchers.","The dirham takes its name from the Greek drachma.","Essaouira used to be called Mogador. Its grid of streets was drawn in the 1760s for Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah.","The Hassan Tower in Rabat was meant to be the tallest minaret in the world. Work stopped in 1199, at 44 metres.","The letter yaz of the Tifinagh alphabet stands at the centre of the Amazigh flag. It is read as a symbol of the free person."],"timeline":[{"year":"788","event":"Idris I founds the first Moroccan state. Fez follows in 789."},{"year":"859","event":"Fatima al-Fihri founds al-Qarawiyyin in Fez."},{"year":"1070","event":"The Almoravids found Marrakech."},{"year":"1147","event":"The Almohads take Marrakech and go on to build the Koutoubia, the Hassan Tower and the Giralda."},{"year":"1269","event":"The Marinids take power and make Fez a capital of learning."},{"year":"1578","event":"The Battle of the Three Kings at Oued al-Makhazin ends Portuguese ambitions in Morocco."},{"year":"1672","event":"Moulay Ismail begins a reign of 55 years and makes Meknes his capital."},{"year":"1777","event":"Morocco is the first country to recognise the United States."},{"year":"1912","event":"The Treaty of Fez establishes the French protectorate, with a Spanish zone in the north and south."},{"year":"1944","event":"The Independence Manifesto is presented on 11 January."},{"year":"1953","event":"Sultan Mohammed V is sent into exile on 20 August. The Revolution of the King and the People begins."},{"year":"1956","event":"Morocco regains its independence."},{"year":"1975","event":"The Green March, on 6 November."},{"year":"1999","event":"King Mohammed VI accedes to the throne on 30 July."},{"year":"2011","event":"A new Constitution makes Tamazight an official language."},{"year":"2022","event":"The Atlas Lions reach the World Cup semi-final in Qatar."},{"year":"2030","event":"Morocco hosts the World Cup with Spain and Portugal."}],"worldHeritage":[{"name":"Medina of Fez","year":"1981"},{"name":"Medina of Marrakech","year":"1985"},{"name":"Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou","year":"1987"},{"name":"Historic city of Meknes","year":"1996"},{"name":"Archaeological site of Volubilis","year":"1997"},{"name":"Medina of Tetouan","year":"1997"},{"name":"Medina of Essaouira","year":"2001"},{"name":"Portuguese city of Mazagan, El Jadida","year":"2004"},{"name":"Rabat, modern capital and historic city","year":"2012"}],"livingHeritage":[{"name":"The square of Jemaa el-Fna","year":"2008"},{"name":"The Moussem of Tan-Tan","year":"2008"},{"name":"The cherry festival of Sefrou","year":"2012"},{"name":"Argan: know-how and practices","year":"2014"},{"name":"Taskiwin, the martial dance of the western High Atlas","year":"2017"},{"name":"Gnawa","year":"2019"},{"name":"Couscous","year":"2020"},{"name":"Tbourida","year":"2021"},{"name":"Malhoun, sung poetry","year":"2023"}],"quiz":[{"question":"Which city is home to the oldest university in the world still operating?","options":["Fez","Marrakech","Rabat","Tetouan"],"answer":"Fez","explanation":"Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez was founded in 859."},{"question":"How high is Mount Toubkal?","options":["3,167 m","4,167 m","4,807 m","5,167 m"],"answer":"4,167 m","explanation":"At 4,167 metres it is the highest peak in North Africa."},{"question":"Which day is couscous day in Moroccan homes?","options":["Monday","Wednesday","Friday","Sunday"],"answer":"Friday","explanation":"Friday, after the midday prayer."},{"question":"Which country did Morocco recognise first, in 1777?","options":["France","The United States","Spain","Brazil"],"answer":"The United States","explanation":"Morocco was the first country to recognise the young United States."},{"question":"What does al-Maghrib mean?","options":["The place where the sun sets","The land of mountains","The crossing","The fortress"],"answer":"The place where the sun sets","explanation":"Al-Maghrib is the west, where the sun sets."},{"question":"Which of these is not one of the four imperial cities?","options":["Fez","Meknes","Casablanca","Marrakech"],"answer":"Casablanca","explanation":"The four are Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat."},{"question":"What colour is the star on the Moroccan flag?","options":["Gold","Green","White","Black"],"answer":"Green","explanation":"A green five-pointed star on a red field."},{"question":"In which year did Morocco regain its independence?","options":["1944","1953","1956","1962"],"answer":"1956","explanation":"Independence came in 1956."},{"question":"Which soup traditionally breaks the fast in Ramadan?","options":["Bissara","Harira","Chorba","Loubia"],"answer":"Harira","explanation":"Harira, with dates and chebakia."},{"question":"Which tree gives a prized oil and grows wild almost only in south-western Morocco?","options":["Olive","Argan","Cedar","Thuya"],"answer":"Argan","explanation":"The argan tree, around Agadir, Essaouira and Taroudant."},{"question":"What is the capital of Morocco?","options":["Casablanca","Rabat","Fez","Marrakech"],"answer":"Rabat","explanation":"Rabat is the capital. Casablanca is the largest city."},{"question":"In which script is Tamazight written?","options":["Tifinagh","Kufic","Phoenician","Greek"],"answer":"Tifinagh","explanation":"Tifinagh, which you can see on public buildings and road signs."},{"question":"How far did the Atlas Lions go at the 2022 World Cup?","options":["Round of 16","Quarter-final","Semi-final","Final"],"answer":"Semi-final","explanation":"They reached the semi-final and finished fourth."},{"question":"Which mountain town is famous for its blue-painted streets?","options":["Chefchaouen","Ifrane","Azrou","Imlil"],"answer":"Chefchaouen","explanation":"Chefchaouen, in the Rif."},{"question":"Which great traveller was born in Tangier in 1304?","options":["Ibn Battuta","Ibn Khaldun","Leo Africanus","Ibn Rushd"],"answer":"Ibn Battuta","explanation":"Ibn Battuta travelled for thirty years, as far as China."},{"question":"In which city is the square of Jemaa el-Fna?","options":["Fez","Marrakech","Meknes","Tangier"],"answer":"Marrakech","explanation":"In Marrakech, at the foot of the Koutoubia."},{"question":"The Hassan II Mosque is built partly over which water?","options":["The Atlantic Ocean","The Mediterranean","The Bouregreg river","The Oum Er-Rbia river"],"answer":"The Atlantic Ocean","explanation":"It stands on the Atlantic shore of Casablanca."},{"question":"Which spice is harvested around Taliouine?","options":["Saffron","Cumin","Paprika","Cinnamon"],"answer":"Saffron","explanation":"Taliouine is the saffron capital of Morocco."},{"question":"What is the Moroccan currency?","options":["The dinar","The dirham","The riyal","The franc"],"answer":"The dirham","explanation":"The dirham, written MAD or DH."},{"question":"Which seas border Morocco?","options":["The Atlantic and the Mediterranean","The Atlantic and the Red Sea","The Mediterranean and the Black Sea","The Atlantic only"],"answer":"The Atlantic and the Mediterranean","explanation":"Morocco has a coast on both."},{"question":"What is Al Boraq?","options":["Africa's first high-speed train","A football club","A desert wind","A music festival"],"answer":"Africa's first high-speed train","explanation":"It links Tangier to Casablanca at up to 320 km/h."},{"question":"Which dunes rise beside Merzouga?","options":["Erg Chebbi","Erg Chigaga","The White Dune","The dunes of Tinfou"],"answer":"Erg Chebbi","explanation":"Erg Chebbi. Erg Chigaga is further west, near M'hamid."},{"question":"Which Roman city can you visit near Meknes?","options":["Volubilis","Lixus","Carthage","Leptis Magna"],"answer":"Volubilis","explanation":"Volubilis, known for its mosaics."},{"question":"What is msemen?","options":["A square, flaky flatbread","A lamb stew","A spice blend","A clay pot"],"answer":"A square, flaky flatbread","explanation":"A folded flatbread eaten at breakfast and tea time."},{"question":"Which city hosts the Gnaoua World Music Festival?","options":["Essaouira","Agadir","Rabat","Fez"],"answer":"Essaouira","explanation":"Essaouira, every June."},{"question":"What is commemorated on 6 November?","options":["Throne Day","The Green March","Independence Day","Youth Day"],"answer":"The Green March","explanation":"The Green March of 1975."},{"question":"How many regions does Morocco have?","options":["9","12","16","20"],"answer":"12","explanation":"Twelve, since the reform of 2015."},{"question":"With which countries will Morocco host the 2030 World Cup?","options":["Spain and Portugal","France and Spain","Portugal and Italy","Senegal and Egypt"],"answer":"Spain and Portugal","explanation":"Spain and Portugal."},{"question":"What should you never use to mix Moroccan mint tea?","options":["A spoon","A glass","Sugar","Fresh mint"],"answer":"A spoon","explanation":"The tea is mixed by pouring a glass and returning it to the pot."},{"question":"Which city used to be called Mogador?","options":["Essaouira","El Jadida","Safi","Agadir"],"answer":"Essaouira","explanation":"Essaouira. El Jadida was Mazagan."},{"question":"What is Yennayer?","options":["The Amazigh New Year","A Saharan wind","A wedding dance","A mountain pass"],"answer":"The Amazigh New Year","explanation":"The Amazigh New Year, a public holiday since 2024."},{"question":"Which animal lives in the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas?","options":["The Barbary macaque","The lemur","The baboon","The chimpanzee"],"answer":"The Barbary macaque","explanation":"The Barbary macaque, around Azrou and Ifrane."},{"question":"Where is the lagoon of Dakhla?","options":["In the far south, on the Atlantic","On the Mediterranean","In the Rif","Near Fez"],"answer":"In the far south, on the Atlantic","explanation":"On the Atlantic, in the far south of the country."},{"question":"What is a tanjia?","options":["A Marrakech dish slow-cooked in a clay jar","A drum","A carpet","A kind of couscous"],"answer":"A Marrakech dish slow-cooked in a clay jar","explanation":"Meat cooked for hours in a jar, traditionally in the embers of the hammam."},{"question":"In which city is the Koutoubia?","options":["Marrakech","Rabat","Seville","Fez"],"answer":"Marrakech","explanation":"In Marrakech. Its sisters are in Rabat and Seville."},{"question":"What is tbourida?","options":["A cavalry charge with gunpowder","A soup","A style of embroidery","A board game"],"answer":"A cavalry charge with gunpowder","explanation":"Riders charge in line and fire together. It is also called fantasia."}],"sayings":[{"arabic":"اللي بغا العسل يصبر لقريص النحل","latin":"Lli bgha l3sel isber l9ris n7el","meaning":"Whoever wants honey must put up with the bee stings."},{"arabic":"دير الخير وانساه","latin":"Dir lkhir w nsah","meaning":"Do good, then forget you did it."},{"arabic":"الصبر مفتاح الفرج","latin":"Sber mefta7 lfarej","meaning":"Patience is the key to relief."},{"arabic":"قطرة قطرة كيحمل الواد","latin":"9etra 9etra kay7mel lwad","meaning":"Drop by drop, the river fills."},{"arabic":"اللي فات مات","latin":"Lli fat mat","meaning":"What is past is gone."},{"arabic":"يد وحدة ما كتصفقش","latin":"Yed we7da ma katseffe9ch","meaning":"One hand cannot clap. Nothing big gets done alone."},{"arabic":"الجار قبل الدار","latin":"Ljar 9bel ddar","meaning":"Choose the neighbour before the house."},{"arabic":"بالمهل كيتكال بودنجال","latin":"Belmhel kaytkal boudenjal","meaning":"Slowly, slowly, the aubergine gets eaten. Take your time and it gets done."},{"arabic":"كل تأخيرة فيها خيرة","latin":"Koul ta2khira fiha khira","meaning":"Every delay carries some good."},{"arabic":"المزوق من برا آش خبارك من الداخل","latin":"Lmzewwe9 men berra, ach khbarek men ldakhel","meaning":"Pretty on the outside; what about the inside? Do not judge by looks."},{"arabic":"اللي حفر شي حفرة كيطيح فيها","latin":"Lli 7fer chi 7efra kayti7 fiha","meaning":"Whoever digs a pit for others falls into it."},{"arabic":"عاش من شافك","latin":"3ach men chafek","meaning":"Long time no see! Word for word: long life to the one who sees you."},{"arabic":"بالصحة والراحة","latin":"Bse77a w ra7a","meaning":"To your health and comfort. Said after a meal, a haircut, a hammam or a new purchase."},{"arabic":"الله يعطيك الصحة","latin":"Llah y3tik se77a","meaning":"Thank you, well done. Word for word: may God give you health."},{"arabic":"تبارك الله عليك","latin":"Tbarkellah 3lik","meaning":"Bravo, well done. Word for word: God's blessing on you."},{"arabic":"الله يرحم الوالدين","latin":"Llah yr7em lwalidin","meaning":"Thank you from the heart. Word for word: God have mercy on your parents."},{"arabic":"شوية بشوية","latin":"Chwiya b chwiya","meaning":"Little by little."},{"arabic":"ما كاين مشكل","latin":"Makayn mouchkil","meaning":"No problem."},{"arabic":"واخا","latin":"Wakha","meaning":"OK, all right."},{"arabic":"بزاف","latin":"Bezzaf","meaning":"A lot, very much."},{"arabic":"دابا","latin":"Daba","meaning":"Now. In Morocco it can also mean in a moment."},{"arabic":"لاباس؟ كلشي بخير؟","latin":"Labas? Koulchi bikhir?","meaning":"How are you? Is everything well?"},{"arabic":"توحشتك","latin":"Twe77echtek","meaning":"I miss you."},{"arabic":"طريق السلامة","latin":"Tri9 slama","meaning":"Have a safe trip."},{"arabic":"الله يسهل","latin":"Llah ysehel","meaning":"May God make it easy. Said before any plan, journey or exam."},{"arabic":"مرحبا بيك","latin":"Mer7ba bik","meaning":"You are welcome here."},{"arabic":"قطران بلادي ولا عسل البلدان","latin":"9etran bladi wla 3sel lbouldan","meaning":"The tar of my country is better than the honey of other lands."},{"arabic":"اللي تلف يشد الأرض","latin":"Lli tlef ychedd lard","meaning":"When you are lost, hold on to the ground. Go back to what you know."},{"arabic":"على سلامتك","latin":"3la slamtek","meaning":"Welcome back, glad you arrived safely."},{"arabic":"خوك خوك لا يغرك صاحبك","latin":"Khouk khouk, la yghrek sa7bek","meaning":"Your brother stays your brother. Family comes first."},{"arabic":"الله يخلف","latin":"Llah ykhlef","meaning":"May God repay you. Said to thank a host after a meal."}],"faq":[{"question":"I cannot find a consulate appointment. What now?","answer":"Since 2024 you can book at any Moroccan consulate for a passport, a CNIE or a legalisation, so look at the next nearest one. Slots open up regularly: check again over a few days. Collecting a finished document needs no appointment."},{"question":"Flights and ferries cost a fortune in summer. Is there a way around it?","answer":"Not a magic one. Prices follow demand, and the question reached Parliament in 2026. What works: book months ahead, take a fixed-date ticket, travel mid-week, and compare another port or airport."},{"question":"Can I leave my car in Morocco and fly back?","answer":"Only for a while. A foreign-registered car gets 180 days per calendar year. During that time you may leave it in a garage, but nobody may drive it and you must take it out yourself before the deadline. To keep a car in Morocco for good, it has to be cleared through customs."},{"question":"My father is retired. Can he bring a car in at 90% off for me?","answer":"The 90% reduction is personal: age 60 or over, more than ten years abroad, one car in a lifetime. The car cannot be sold or handed over for five years and he must be present at clearance. It is his car, not a way to import one for someone else."},{"question":"A developer at a property fair wants a deposit today. Is that safe?","answer":"No. Pay nothing at a fair. Get the land title number, check it yourself at the land registry, take your own notary and pay only by transfer through the notary."},{"question":"If I sell my flat in Morocco, can I take the money back?","answer":"Yes, if you can prove you bought it with money from abroad, paid through a convertible dirham or foreign currency account. If you paid from an ordinary account or in cash, the proceeds may have to stay in Morocco."},{"question":"watiqa.ma is not working. How do I get a birth certificate?","answer":"Ask the consulate where the birth is registered, or give a relative in Morocco a power of attorney to collect it at the commune. For a CNIE the certificate must be less than six months old."},{"question":"I divorced in Europe. Am I divorced in Morocco?","answer":"Not yet. The foreign judgment needs an exequatur from a Moroccan court. A lawyer can do it with your power of attorney, without you travelling."},{"question":"Who has bought with the State housing aid, and how does it work?","answer":"About one beneficiary in four lives abroad. The grant is 100,000 or 70,000 dirhams depending on the price, for a first home that becomes a main residence. You apply online and the notary handles the payment."},{"question":"We send billions home. Why do we still feel unheard?","answer":"It is the most repeated comment of all: people want to count as citizens, not only as senders of money. Representation was still under debate in 2026. Meanwhile, complaints filed in writing on the national portal do get tracked."}]}