Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara. Area: Total: 446,550 sq km Land: 446,300 sq km Water: 250 sq km Land boundaries: Total: 2,017.9 km. Border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km. Coastline: 1,835 km. Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 NM. Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation. Exclusive economic zone: 200 NM. Territorial sea: 12 NM. Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior. Terrain: Northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m. Highest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m. Natural resources: Phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt. The Imperial Cities of Morocco: They stand under the same sun; they are built on the same earth. They are neither different, nor identical. Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marrakesh: four imperial cities, four cities without parallel. Four dazzling cities. Indeed, they were built to dazzle. Conceived as capitals, each one outshines the splendor of the others. It is difficult to decide upon a favorite. The best solution is to set out on the 1047 km road that links them and to travel through the country and the history of Morocco. An unforgettable journey of discovery through four fascinating cities, in which the past blends with the present to produce a veritable explosion of sensations. And as soon as you leave them, you cannot wait to return. That is the imperious call of the four imperial cities. Rabat: There is blue everywhere. The intense blue of the sky and the sea. And, nestling within the protection of the ochre-colored ramparts, a gleaming white city and a minaret that reaches up to touch the clouds: this is Rabat, the capital of Morocco. History has left its mark upon Rabat, and Rabat honors those who made it. As Yacoub El Mansour is honored with the Hassan tower, dominating what should have been one of the greatest mosques in the Muslim world, or the mausoleum of the late Mohamed V, architect of the Moroccan independence in 1956. Meknes: A dream made reality, set in the heart of the Moroccan countryside! Meknes, the imperial city built by Moulay Ismail. With tireless effort and unrelenting will, he undertook the task of making this town into a capital worthy of his image. Palaces, mosques, fountains, terraces, gardens, stables and shops were built without any respite over a period of 50 years to fill the gigantic space contained within the mighty ramparts. This was Moulay Ismail’s unfinished vision – and ever since, Meknes has never ceased to make others dream… there are its gates, its monumental gates, opening in he mighty walls to give access to the wonders of the city. Bab al Mansour, the main gate – and the finest in Morocco, leading to the immense Mechouar where stands the moving mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Fez: Looking out from the Merinides necropolis, Fez is an untroubled ocean of flat roofs punctuated by soaring minarets, with a gentle succession of terraces following both banks of the Wadi Fez. But once in the town itself, there is a bustle of activity everywhere! A multitude of passages, stairways and small courtyards lead into a maze of streets lined with stalls selling silver jewellery, copper trays, pottery painted in Fez blue, multicolored djellabas, honey cakes, lamb kebabs, grilled almonds and mint tea. The Andalusian Arabs brought with them their art and the experience of a civilization at the very peak of its glory – as demonstrated by the splendid decorations, stucco and mosaics in the Andalusian mosque and the Es –Sahrij medersa (Coranic School). Marrakesh: Principal city of the Almoravides in the 11th century, it gave its name to Morocco in the past and perpetuates its magic to this day. An oasis on the frontiers of the desert, a jewel at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh is the dazzling and superb capital of Southern Morocco. All roads lead to the Jemaa el Fna square. Musicians, dancers, healers, public scribes, storytellers, vendors of fresh orange juice or grilled nuts all coming together in a multicolored spectacle that defies belief. Everything in Marrakesh is worth seeing: the cold, impersonal beauty of the Saadian tombs, the Ben youssef madersa and the majestic ruins of the Badii palace built in gold, onyx and Italian marble. Defended by its immense ochre – colored ramparts and the proud form of the Koutoubia which has watched over it for more than 800 years, Marrakesh is still capable of inspiring wonderment. The Souks: To wander through the souks is to be drawn into a wonderful feast for the senses. And the pleasure becomes all the more intense when the object of the visit is the choice of ring, a sword stick, a carpet, a pair of babouches, a woven basket or rare sweet smelling spices. For if you really want to enter into the spirit of the souk you must be prepared to follow three essential rituals centered on the desire for something, bargaining for it and finally acquiring it in a joyful spirit the souk gives.