With the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, and over 1,100 miles of coastline with the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is a country with a very diverse landscape. Home to the Sahara Desert, the famous Hassan II Mosque, the Atlas Mountain range, Roman ruins, the blue buildings of Chefchaouen, and plenty of souks and medinas, Morocco has become a popular tourist destination. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Arabic is the official language, and spoken by nearly every citizen, although 63% of people also speak French. English and Spanish are also spoken by some portions of the population, especially in northern Morocco

• Currency: Moroccan Dirham, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Western European Time (UTC) and Western European Summer Time (UTC+1)

• Visas: Tourists from most European and North American countries can visit Morocco visa free for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: Not expected, although a small tip of several Dirhams is appreciated

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Casablanca: Morocco's largest city is home to the Hassan II Mosque, which has the world's second tallest minaret

• Marrakesh: Home to many markets, souks, and leather tanneries

• Chefchaouen: Small city in north Morocco known for its bright blue buildings

• Sahara Desert Trip: Many tour operators let you ride a camel into the Sahara desert and spend the night sleeping under the stars

Travel Tips:

• Learn to haggle to get better prices on items at markets and souks

• Keep a tight grip on your valuables and don’t wear jewelry or anything flashy while walking through the markets and souks

• Morocco recently constructed Al Boraq, Africa’s first high speed train. Connecting the cities of Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca, the train is a great way to save time while traveling between the cities, as compared to other modes of transportation

• Fridays are holy days, meaning many shops and restaurants will be closed