Rabat, Morocco
Created | Updated Oct 20, 2010
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<h2><strong><font face="Arial" size="3">The city</font></strong></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Rabat is the capital of Morocco but not the biggest city in
the country. At first Rabat appears to be quite small but the suburbs are big, although
mostly dull. A tourist coming to Rabat will naturally focus on the area centered round
Avenue Mohammed V, including the Medina and the Kashbah. For the traveler staying a while
in the area known as Agdal will be of interest due to the shops, cafes and restaurants.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Politics</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Morocco is a monarchy with extensive democratic additions.
The king lives in Rabat and if you live in Rabat for a few weeks, you are bound to notice
the commotion, when he travels around. Moroccans hold the King in great esteem and will
gladly discuss their political system and the challenges facing their developing country.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">People</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Moroccans are generally very friendly and will try their
best to understand your stammering French. Rabat does not have many beggars and hustlers,
and walking around the city is generally not a problem. <BR/>
Most Moroccans are Muslims and practice their religion in a relaxed manner. The 2-hour
lunch break is however strictly observed by most, and shops, banks and offices will
generally close at 12 o’clock and may not open until 3 o’clock. <BR/>
Public holidays are determined by the Muslim luna calendar, which means that holidays are
not on a particular date but a new date every year and that the exact date may be unknown
until 1 or 2 days before.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Warnings</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">When walking around the typical tourist spots women should
look out for the henna-women. They will have henna all over your hands before you can
blink. <BR/>
You are likely to be offered the local marihuana called kif, which naturally is illegal.
Note that the police will suspect you pouch of normal tobacco to be marihuana, so save
yourself the trouble and buy normal cigarettes.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Traffic</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">The traffic rules applied in every day life would appear to
be quite flexible. One of the first things you will notice is that, it is apparently legal
to run the red light if you turn right, that a two-lane street can easily carry 3 and even
4 cars next to each other & that after dark traffic lights are not respected.<BR/>
<BR/>
You will soon be on the freeway and here your will discover that mule driven carts, mules
and pedestrians will gladly cross and use the freeway, so be vigilant - Especially at
night as the law do not require vehicles traveling less than 20km/h to have any lights on.
<BR/>
The best thing that can be said about the traffic, is that even though there is 4 cars
between you and a side road, you will be able to wriggle you car through the passing
traffic and reach your desired destination.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">The police</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">There is a lot of police in Rabat. Your will find policemen
and quite a few policewomen at most intersections. They will readily give you a fine of
400MAD if they find that you violated one rule or another, but are very helpful if you are
lost or in another predicament.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Things to see/do</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">The Kashbah is worth a visit. The view of the river mouth
is beautiful from the breastwork and the garden is lovely. You can sip the traditional
Moroccan mint tea in the café while you enjoy the view of Sale on the other side of the
River and the activity on the beach below. Notice the circular waves and the many surfers.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Chellah is not quite as interesting but if you have the time, you should not miss it.<BR/>
<BR/>
There are very good golf courses in and near Rabat, the biggest is the Royal course in Dar
Es Salam with 45 holes.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Medina is mostly open and friendly but the southeastern end of the Medina can be a bit
rough. You will easily find you way in and perhaps most importantly out of the Medina, and
you really do not need a guide.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Hassan Tower is the unfinished tower for the large unfinished mosque, which lies next
to the Mausoleum. A visit to both is worthwhile and quick.<BR/>
<BR/>
Rabat does not have particularly good beaches, but Plage de Nations 15 km north of Rabat
is very nice and has good waves for surfing.</font></p>
</body>
</html>
<h2><strong><font face="Arial" size="3">The city</font></strong></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Rabat is the capital of Morocco but not the biggest city in
the country. At first Rabat appears to be quite small but the suburbs are big, although
mostly dull. A tourist coming to Rabat will naturally focus on the area centered round
Avenue Mohammed V, including the Medina and the Kashbah. For the traveler staying a while
in the area known as Agdal will be of interest due to the shops, cafes and restaurants.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Politics</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Morocco is a monarchy with extensive democratic additions.
The king lives in Rabat and if you live in Rabat for a few weeks, you are bound to notice
the commotion, when he travels around. Moroccans hold the King in great esteem and will
gladly discuss their political system and the challenges facing their developing country.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">People</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Moroccans are generally very friendly and will try their
best to understand your stammering French. Rabat does not have many beggars and hustlers,
and walking around the city is generally not a problem. <BR/>
Most Moroccans are Muslims and practice their religion in a relaxed manner. The 2-hour
lunch break is however strictly observed by most, and shops, banks and offices will
generally close at 12 o’clock and may not open until 3 o’clock. <BR/>
Public holidays are determined by the Muslim luna calendar, which means that holidays are
not on a particular date but a new date every year and that the exact date may be unknown
until 1 or 2 days before.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Warnings</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">When walking around the typical tourist spots women should
look out for the henna-women. They will have henna all over your hands before you can
blink. <BR/>
You are likely to be offered the local marihuana called kif, which naturally is illegal.
Note that the police will suspect you pouch of normal tobacco to be marihuana, so save
yourself the trouble and buy normal cigarettes.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Traffic</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">The traffic rules applied in every day life would appear to
be quite flexible. One of the first things you will notice is that, it is apparently legal
to run the red light if you turn right, that a two-lane street can easily carry 3 and even
4 cars next to each other & that after dark traffic lights are not respected.<BR/>
<BR/>
You will soon be on the freeway and here your will discover that mule driven carts, mules
and pedestrians will gladly cross and use the freeway, so be vigilant - Especially at
night as the law do not require vehicles traveling less than 20km/h to have any lights on.
<BR/>
The best thing that can be said about the traffic, is that even though there is 4 cars
between you and a side road, you will be able to wriggle you car through the passing
traffic and reach your desired destination.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">The police</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">There is a lot of police in Rabat. Your will find policemen
and quite a few policewomen at most intersections. They will readily give you a fine of
400MAD if they find that you violated one rule or another, but are very helpful if you are
lost or in another predicament.</font></p>
<h2><font face="Arial" size="3">Things to see/do</font></h2>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">The Kashbah is worth a visit. The view of the river mouth
is beautiful from the breastwork and the garden is lovely. You can sip the traditional
Moroccan mint tea in the café while you enjoy the view of Sale on the other side of the
River and the activity on the beach below. Notice the circular waves and the many surfers.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Chellah is not quite as interesting but if you have the time, you should not miss it.<BR/>
<BR/>
There are very good golf courses in and near Rabat, the biggest is the Royal course in Dar
Es Salam with 45 holes.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Medina is mostly open and friendly but the southeastern end of the Medina can be a bit
rough. You will easily find you way in and perhaps most importantly out of the Medina, and
you really do not need a guide.<BR/>
<BR/>
The Hassan Tower is the unfinished tower for the large unfinished mosque, which lies next
to the Mausoleum. A visit to both is worthwhile and quick.<BR/>
<BR/>
Rabat does not have particularly good beaches, but Plage de Nations 15 km north of Rabat
is very nice and has good waves for surfing.</font></p>
</body>
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