Salam! Welcome to the Gateway to Africa—Morocco, a North African kingdom where ancient traditions meet vibrant modern life. There are around 38 million people living here, and the capital is Rabat, though the legendary city of Casablanca is the largest and most famous commercial hub. The official languages are Arabic and Amazigh (Berber), but French is widely used in business and government.

Morocco covers about 446,550 square kilometers (172,414 square miles), excluding the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The country is roughly the same size as the state of California in the U.S.. Its geography is a dramatic mix of the sun-drenched Sahara Desert, the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, and over 2,500 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The most popular sport is Football, and the national team, the “Atlas Lions,” made history as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their national animal is the Barbary Lion, which, although extinct in the wild, remains a powerful symbol of Moroccan strength.

The flag consists of a red field with a green five-pointed star (the Seal of Solomon) in the center, where the red represents hardiness and bravery and the green symbolizes the color of Islam and peace.

The food is an aromatic journey of spices and slow-cooking. You must try Tagine, a slow-cooked stew named after the conical clay pot it’s made in, often featuring lamb or chicken with dried fruits and nuts. Another staple is Couscous, traditionally served on Fridays with seven types of vegetables. For a unique flavor, try Pastilla, a flaky meat pie that balances sweet and savory with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Hospitality is often shared over a glass of Maghrebi Mint Tea, poured from a height to create a frothy head.

Morocco is home to Marrakesh, famous for the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where snake charmers, storytellers, and food stalls create a sensory explosion. The country features the Blue City of Chefchaouen, where almost every building is painted in a striking shade of sky-blue. For film fans, the Ait Benhaddou ksar (fortified village) is a UNESCO site that has starred in everything from Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Morocco is also the world’s leading producer of Argan Oil, which comes from trees that only grow in the southwestern part of the country.

From the rolling dunes of Merzouga to the narrow, winding alleys of the Fez Medina, Morocco is a land of color, spice, and timeless beauty. Shokran! That means “Thank you!”