in Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who revolted against the gods. As a punishment they placed the heavens on his shoulders. When his load became too heavy he begged to be turned into stone and was transformed into mount Atlas.
About one seventh of the country lies more than 2,000m (6,500feet) above sea level, and the Atlas Mountains consist of three ranges.
The High Atlas, the most famous has more than 400 peaks above 3,000m (9,800 feet) and 10 over 4,000m (13,000 feet), including Jebel Toubkal, at 4,167m (13,671 feet) the highest mountain in North Africa.
The Middle Atlas is a range of high plateaux, where many Berber tribes herd sheep and goats. The highest point here is Jebel Bounaceaur at 3,340m (10,960 feet).
The Anti Atlas, featuring Jebel Sarhro at 2,712m (8,898 feet), is barren range skirting the desert alogside the Draa Valley.
The mountains of the Atlas are made of sedimentary rocks with intrusions of granite and quartzite.
The northern coast is separated from the rest if the country by the Rif Mountains, an extension of the cordillera of southern Spain.
.......Just right for skiing
The French introduced skiing to Morocco in the 1930s and now resorts cater for all abilities. The best time to go is from December to March ad you need to climb to around 2,000m (6,500 feet) to find suitable snow.
Morocco's foremost ski resort is Oukaimeden, from where Africa's highest cable lift glides to the top of Jebel Oukaimeden (3,273/10,738 feet).
Tours for more experienced skiers are possible in the area around Tazaghart, accompanied by highly trained Berber guides with extensive knowledge of the mountains and deserts.
The modest ski pistes of Mischliffen, Azrouand Ifrane are popular weekend spots.
Not forgetting the Desert
Beyond the Draa Valley and the Anti Atlas lies the vast Sahara Desert. Most of the desert in Morocco consists of Hamadas-barren, wind-swept rocky plateaux-and, less commonly, of ergs-picturesque sand dunes that here seldom rise to spectacular heights.
Many oueds (rivers) cross the sands, brought to life by rainstorms but quickly drying up again.
Oases are rare, except near the Draa and Ziz Valleys, wich are fed by water from the Anti Atlas.
The Western Sahara near the Atlantic does see a little more rain and some mist coming off the ocean, making the area greener and less barren. The only other riches if the desert are the phosphates hidden beneath its surface.
MORE INFO AT : www.morkosh.com
The High Atlas, the most famous has more than 400 peaks above 3,000m (9,800 feet) and 10 over 4,000m (13,000 feet), including Jebel Toubkal, at 4,167m (13,671 feet) the highest mountain in North Africa.
The Middle Atlas is a range of high plateaux, where many Berber tribes herd sheep and goats. The highest point here is Jebel Bounaceaur at 3,340m (10,960 feet).
The Anti Atlas, featuring Jebel Sarhro at 2,712m (8,898 feet), is barren range skirting the desert alogside the Draa Valley.
The mountains of the Atlas are made of sedimentary rocks with intrusions of granite and quartzite.
The northern coast is separated from the rest if the country by the Rif Mountains, an extension of the cordillera of southern Spain.
.......Just right for skiing
The French introduced skiing to Morocco in the 1930s and now resorts cater for all abilities. The best time to go is from December to March ad you need to climb to around 2,000m (6,500 feet) to find suitable snow.
Morocco's foremost ski resort is Oukaimeden, from where Africa's highest cable lift glides to the top of Jebel Oukaimeden (3,273/10,738 feet).
Tours for more experienced skiers are possible in the area around Tazaghart, accompanied by highly trained Berber guides with extensive knowledge of the mountains and deserts.
The modest ski pistes of Mischliffen, Azrouand Ifrane are popular weekend spots.
Not forgetting the Desert
Beyond the Draa Valley and the Anti Atlas lies the vast Sahara Desert. Most of the desert in Morocco consists of Hamadas-barren, wind-swept rocky plateaux-and, less commonly, of ergs-picturesque sand dunes that here seldom rise to spectacular heights.
Many oueds (rivers) cross the sands, brought to life by rainstorms but quickly drying up again.
Oases are rare, except near the Draa and Ziz Valleys, wich are fed by water from the Anti Atlas.
The Western Sahara near the Atlantic does see a little more rain and some mist coming off the ocean, making the area greener and less barren. The only other riches if the desert are the phosphates hidden beneath its surface.
MORE INFO AT : www.morkosh.com
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