History & CultureMorocco's history began with the Berbers, the aboriginal people who have inhabited the country since the end of the 2nd millennium BC Rome extended its rule over the area after defeating Carthage in 146 BC, and testimony to its presence still exists in the fine Roman ruins at Volubilis. As Rome fell into decline Morocco was invaded first by the Vandals and then, in the 7th century, by the Arabs.
Although external Arab rule lasted little more than a century, the arrival of Islam proved to be a permanent addition to Moroccan culture. In the ensuing centuries a series of ruling dynasties came to power, including the Idrissids, the Almoravids, and the Almohads, but none seemed capable of long maintaining the critical support of the Berber leaders. By the 15th century Spain and Portugal began to intrude into Morocco, after having expelled the Moors from their own lands. Although Morocco successfully repulsed these invasions, the tide of European imperialism eventually proved too great. By the middle of the 19th century Morocco's strategic importance had become evident to all of the European powers, and they engaged in a protracted struggle for possession of the country. Finally, in 1911, France was formally acknowledged as protector of the greater part of the country, with Spain receiving a number of isolated locales. French rule came to an end in 1953, although its cultural influence on Morocco remains strongly in evidence. Today the country is ruled by King Hassan II, who has weathered a number of attempted coups in past decades. Hassan appears to be leading Morocco toward both long-term stability and a greater degree of economic prosperity. Geography and ClimateSituated in North Africa, Morocco benefits from a coastline that spreads from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, and is separated from Europe by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. Morocco is traversed by several mountain ranges, the High Atlas, the Rif and the Anti Atlas, and spurs from these ranges extend both to the coast and to the desert. It shares land borders with Algeria, Mauritania and a disputed region known as the Western Sahara, which it presently occupies. The country covers an area of approximately 700 000 square kms. Vast fertile plains and plateau stretch between the mountain ranges and between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Many of these plains are fed by the watershed of the melting snow of the Atlas peaks.
The High Atlas - These mountainous areas are much cooler due mainly to the altitude, during the trekking season, May to October, the days are very pleasant but the evenings / nights can be very cold. Coastal and Middle Atlas - The weather is less extreme with temperatures being on average between 10 - 28 C (50 - 82.40 F) except for July and August the hottest / summer months where temperatures away from the coast rise to an average of 35C (95 F). | 
