Facts about Morocco that will surprise you! - Morocco is an awe-inspiring and frequently visited location, where millions of tourist flock every year. Its landscapes, monuments and history enthrall tourists that go to discover all the marvels that it has to offer. Beyond tourism, there are also some customs, practices, and interesting facts that you should know about the Islamic country of Morocco, that is governed by a king, and operates under its own laws and rules. Click on to learn about Morocco!

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Rulers - Morocco is a constitutional monarchy that has a king, Maomé VI, and a Prime Minister, Saadeddine Othmani. There is also a democratically elected parliament, though the king is the true ruler of the country.

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Flag - The star on the country's flag is a symbol of health, wisdom and life, and is called the seal of Solomon. The color red represents Islam, the dominant religion of the country.

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Language - The official language of the country is Arabic. In Moroccan cities it's common to hear a language known as Darija or Moroccan Arabic, that consists of a mix of Arabic and a little French and Spanish. When it comes to sales, the general population will speak French with the tourists.

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Tea - Moroccans habitually drink mint tea before and after meals. In addition to this, they also offer it to their guests and tourists alike.

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Dogs - If you go to Morocco, you likely won't see many dogs in the streets, as most Moroccans don't have this animal as a pet. The dog is considered an impure animal in Islam.

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Alcoholic beverages - In the majority of places it's prohibited to sell alcoholic drinks. Additionally, the consumption of alcohol in the streets is considered a sign of disrespect, and is poorly viewed by the country.

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Exports - Despite there being restrictions in regards to alcohol, Morocco is on the of the countries that export the most beer and wine. Almost all of the products are destined for export, or for locations that cater almost exclusively to tourists, such as hotels.

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University - The oldest university in the world is located in Morocco. Al Quaraouiyine was opened in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri.

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Temperature - Despite Morocco being an African country and therefore constantly warm in certain areas, there are other zones where it snows. One example of this is Toubkal National Park, in Marrakesh.

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Cultural tendencies - Bread is a very respected food in the country, and is consumed by most families. Because of this, it is forbidden to throw bread out in Morocco, as the scraps should be given to the live stock.

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Superstitions - It is also illegal to use hot water in the sinks. This restriction has to do with an old superstitious belief that genies live in places with water, and putting hot water on them would anger them.

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Proximity - The country is located very close to Europe. Additionally, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla belong to Spain, but are geographically located in Morocco.

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Meat - Meat has an important role in Moroccan culture. To refuse meat as a guest is considered very rude.

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Love - In the country, the symbol of love is not the heart, but the liver. A healthy liver helps in digestion and general well-being, and in Morocco, the phrase 'you have captured my liver' is a declaration of love.

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Renewable energy - Due to the lack of natural gas and petroleum in the country, Morocco has begun to invest in renewable energy and solar panels. The king, Mohamed VI, was responsible for putting this alternative energy source into practice in the country.

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Blue city - Chefchaouen is a beautiful and colorful city in Morocco. It was painted almost completely blue, as it is the sacred color of the Jewish culture. The city is very popular with tourists due to its exotic beauty.

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Objects - If you visit a house with a Moroccan, don't express any sort of admiration for what they have in your home, or the host may ask that you take it. This is because Moroccans believe that objects that spark envy cause the evil eye.

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Prices - In Morocco there are no fixed prices, as the local people like to negotiate their prices with the tourists. So if you visit the country, don't be surprised if they move their prices in order to sell products.

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Shoes - Much like the Japanese, Moroccans also leave their shoes at the door of the house. They do this to ensure that their carpets don't get dirty, something that is highly valued in the country.

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Ramadan - For the duration of 29 or 30 day, Moroccans celebrate Ramadan, a fasting ritual that consists of eating and drinking only after dark. During this period, the Moroccans are forbidding to touch food during the day, due to religious beliefs.

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Traditions - Some Moroccan women have to use a scarf to cover their hair, and can't look at men that are already married. Moroccans see this as a form of respect shown to the man.

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Mosques - The majority of mosques and temples only allow Muslims to enter, and even then, it's not all of them. You must be dressed in appropriate clothing, and be as covered as possible.

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Customs - When a visitor is invited for a family lunch or dinner, they should first wash their hands, and then they should not start eating until the head of the house has said the Bismillah. It's a cultural custom that is taken very seriously.

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Photos - You should always ask permission before taking photos, as it's considered disrespectful to the Moroccan people to take photos without consulting them first.

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Greetings - If you see men holding hands in Morocco, it is because it is a sign of friendship and respect. Moroccans also greet each other with 3 kisses, or with a handshake.

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Cities - The capital of Morocco is Rabat, but the city with the largest population is Casablanca. This metropolis has been the stage for several Hollywood films.

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Films and series - The country's landscapes captivate many directors, as shown by the fact that various cities have been the background to films such as 'Lawrence of Arabia' or 'Gladiator.' 'Game of Thrones' also shot some scenes in Moroccan cities.

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Handshake - If you want to greet a Moroccan, shake with your right hand, as the left is associated with hygienic tasks.

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Trades and sales - When they see a beautiful woman, especially if a woman has blonde hair, which is rare in the country, they will try to negotiate a trade with her husband or father. It is a standard custom for Moroccans to trade camels for women.

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Exotic tree - The Thuja is a tree that only grows in the Atlas mountain range. It's used for panels in Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, and BMW cars.

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Homosexuality - A very controversial law in the country states that any demonstration of homosexuality is a crime, with a punishment of up to three years in prison.

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