Reg An inhospitable environment but here supporting a species of Acacia and desert hardy Deverra tortuosa
The Sahara desert is essentially a desert of herbs and small shrubs with larger shrubs and trees where moisture levels are higher. The dwarf-shrub community in the north comprises shrubs of less than 1m. in height (usually about 50 cm.)as dominants. The bushes are often widely spaced, with a considerable amount of bare stony ground between the clumps which gives the vegetation a very parched appearance in the summers. Typical plants are Zizyphus lotus, Ziziphus spina-christi, Tamarix spp., Acacia spp., Moringa aptera, Salvadora persica, Thymus spp., Artemisia herba-alba, Noaea mucronata, Helianthemum spp., BRaetama retam, Periploca aphylla, Suaeda spp., Salsola spp, Atriplex spp., Ephedra alata, Haloxylon articulatum, Pistacia atlantica and Achillea santolina.
In steppe areas where the scrub vegetation is hardly developed desert grasses of a multiplicity of species are the climax vegetation. Ephemerals are common in the north, halophytes in the sandy areas. Succulent plants are uncommon. The sandy desert has virtually no vegetation. With rain vegetation increases in wadis (oueds - vallies, gullies, or streambeds that remain dry except during the rainy season),depressions and wherever runoff water augments rainfall. The soils of the Sahara are formed of rock debris and desert detritus and are very weakly developed. The characteristic species of these true desert areas which decrease as desert scrub becomes reg and then sandy desert are:- 'Faidherbia albida, A.raddiana, A. seyal, A. tortilis, Achillea santolina, Alyssum macrocalyx, Anabasis aretoides, A. articulata, Androcymbium punctataum, Aristoides coerulescens, Aristida pungens, Artemisia herba-alba, A. monosperma, Astragulus tribuloides, Atriplex halimus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Caligonum comosum, Caltropis procera, Cenchrus ciliaris, Citrullus colocynthus, Danthonia forskalii, Ephedra alata, Euphorbia guyoniana, Deverra scoparia [1], D. chloranthus, Linaria aegyptica,Annarrhinum fruticosum [2], Haloxylon guyonianum, Maerua crassifolia, Nerium oleander, Olea europaea, Panicum turgidum, Phoenix dactylifera, Populus euphratica Populus euphratica, Prosopis stephaniana, Rhus oxyacanthae, Roetboellia hirsuta, Salsola foetida, S.inermis, Salvadora persica, Stipa tortilis, Suaeda fruticosa, S.vermiculata, Tamarix articulata, Zilla spinosa, Zygophyllum Zygophyllum coccineum, Z. decumbens, Z' dumosum, and Capparis spinosa.
Morocco provides a refuge for a rich and diverse flora with about 4,200 taxa, of which 22% (879 taxa) are endemic.[1] The phytogeographic zones of Morocco comprise 8 zones: the Mediterranean zone (central 0–500m, middle 500-1,000m and upper 1,100-1500m), the Cedar zone (1000-2000m), the sub-Alpine zone (2,000-2,500m), the Alpine zone (2,500m+), the semi-desert scrub zone, the Reg , the sandy desert zone and the oases.
Maquis and Garrique Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe, Mediterranean woodlands and forests, lower Northern slopes of Rif and Tell Atlas.
The climax of the Mediterranean coast is a well-developed maquis commonly associated with Clematis, Smilax, Lonicera and Asparagus. Except in innaccessible or protected places the vegetation has been heavily grazed by domestic animals and this degraded maquis, called garrigue, is widespread. Poterium spinosum, various Salvia and Cistus are the dominant plants of the garrigue.A prominent feature of the coastal vegetation is the presence of a large exotic flora: Casuarina, Eucalyptus , Citrus, loquat and Opuntia ficus indica are examples. Several species of steppe Acacia are common elements. The cultivated area which is extensive is wholly artificial and imported plants dominate the landscape. The meadows, orchards and wetter places in the maquis support such plants as fennel.
Quercus suber the Cork Oak, a typical Mediterranean plant
Characteristic plants are Pinus halepensis, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, Myrtus communis, Clematis cirrhosa, Asparagus acutifolius, Phlomis viscosa, Scilla autumnalis and Scilla peruviana, Narcissus tazetta, Iris palaestina, Colchicum stevenii, Arisarum vulgare , Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, Ceratonia siliqua, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia terebinthus, Crataegus azarolus, Amygdalus communis, Rhamnus alaternus Nerprun alaterne, Cistus spp., especially Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus laurifolius and Cistus salviifolius, Juniperinus phoenicea, Phlomis spp. (Phlomis lychnitis), Helichrysum italicum, Salvia spp.,[2] Satureia spp.,[3] Poterium spp., Arabis spp., Reseda spp., Aristolochia pallida, A. boetica, A. longa paucinervis, A. fontanesi, A.rotunda, A.pistolochia fr:Aristoloche pistoloche , Lavandula stoechas Jasminium fruticans and Brassica spp.
Morocco offers much more than just long stretches of arid desert. Visit this North African country not only for its rich history, vibrant culture and long-standing traditions, but also for the beauty and intrigue of its landscape and wilderness. With more than 40 different ecosystems, Morocco is home to great animal and plant life diversity. Many of the animals in the country are endangered, in part to city expansion, but national parks and preserves as well as vast expanses of forest allow for numerous mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Morocco's coastline stretches along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Coastal cities like Tangiers, Casablanca, Essaouira and Safi offer plenty of opportunities for tourists to view marine life, including dolphins, porpoises, sea birds and the extremely endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Souss-Massa National Park, a bird refuge, sits along the River Massa, which runs into the Atlantic Ocean. The endangered bald ibis is one of the park's frequent visitors. The river itself is home to large populations of ducks, including the marbled duck and the red-crested pochard, as well as mammals like the Algerian hedgehog, brown hare and African wild cat and a host of reptiles and amphibians.
Desert Wildlife
The western Sahara lies within Morocco and despite its extreme heat during the daylight hours, it is home to a wide variety of animal species. Tourists taking camel-trekking tours of the Moroccan desert may get the chance to see animals like the Dorcas gazelle, the smallest gazelle in the world, or the Fennec fox, the smallest fox in the world. These animals are often most active in the early mornings and the evenings, staying hidden during the day because of the scorching temperatures. Other Moroccan desert animals include rodents, snakes, gerbils, golden jackals, addax and lizards.
Atlas and Rif Mountains
Morocco's Atlas and Rif mountains were once home to the Barbary lion, now nearly extinct. Parc Zoologique National in Morocco's capital city, Rabat has a breeding program for this lion species. If you plan to take part in a mountain trekking tour, you may get an opportunity to see other indigenous, mountain-residing creatures like the Barbary macaque, a primate; wild boars; eagles; cardinals; lizards and butterflies.
Plant Life in Morocco
Morocco is home to diverse plant species that are found all throughout the country. Visitors to the coastal regions will likely encounter plants like casuarina, eucalyptus, loquat and acacia. Morocco's mountainous areas are home to forest plants and trees, including the cork oak, evergreen oak, holm oak, juniper, cedar, fir and pine. Visit the plains to find cork oaks, olive trees, argan-thorny trees, scrub brush and alfalfa grass.
In cities with medinas the used clothes are more traditional, but still there are those who view much like the European.
In terms of traditional clothing, the djellaba is one of the most important pieces of Moroccan clothing. It is a traditional piece, wide, long and wide sleeves, which can be used by both men and women. It's kind of robe that may also have capucho with pointy tip, which protects from the sun and cold.
The djellabas can be made of wool or cotton, with different colors (men opt for very light colors), depending on the taste of each person. But traditionally, the colors chosen among the tribes, may indicate marital status, for example. The dark brown is used by bachelors.
The kaftan is another kind of tunic widely used, but mainly by Moroccan women. They can be simple day-to-day parts, but also are more produced for special events such as weddings and parties. The models of the kaftan have been adopted and are an inspiration for many designers of haute couture.
In the markets of the cities there are many stores selling traditional Moroccan clothing. They have many embroidery and different colors, shirts, dresses, kaftans and djellaba. Lots of variety, both for men and for women.
The clothes are normally all long and wide, but many women wear belts - made in the same fabric clothing to adelgaçarem silhouette at parties. On the street simply use the loose, comfortable clothing. Although the models look alike, they are always different pieces, with coordinated colors depending on the taste of each person.
But not only. There are also scarves and turbans of different colors and sizes. The latter are used both to heat and to protect the head on hot days or during the crossings in the desert.
And may the colors have any meaning. The desert Berbers use indigo blue turban, because they consider that protect them from evil spirits. While in the desert, also use them to cover the face, leaving only the eyes showing, to protect the strong sandstorms.
The shoes use a lot sandals and also the typical babouches. Comfortable shoes and made leather.
The fez (Arabic: فاس / FAS "Fez" Morocco's capital until 1927; Turkish: Fes) or tarbouche (Arabic: طربوش / ṭarbūš) is a hat male felt, often red, conical truncated, adorned with a black tassel attached to the top. This cap without edge, from ancient Greece, was adopted by many ethnic and religious groups during the following centuries and especially in the Ottoman Empire in the nineteenth century. In its long history, the fez was worn by many peoples, including the Greeks, Arabs, North Africans, Turks and various Muslim populations. Today, it is increasingly rare to see worn.
A variant of the fez was used by the Turkish army between etxviiie fifteenth centuries. He was then made of a metal cap around which was fastened a metal mesh to protect the neck and upper shoulders. The fez, probably padded, exceeded the cap of 2.5 to 5 cm, and served as protection against projectiles. He could also be surrounded by a turban. The red fez with a blue tassel was the hairstyle of the Turkish army from the 1840s until the introduction in 1910 of the khaki uniform and helmet without a visor. The only notable exceptions were the cavalry and artillery, the soldiers wore lambskin hats adorned with colorful fabric, and Albanian regiments who wore a white fez. During World War II, the fez is worn by naval reserve units and sometimes by soldiers on leave.
Otto I, King of Greece, in the garb of Evzones (c. 1835).
The regiments of the Greek army said Evzones (Light Infantry) had their own version of the fez, from 1837 to World War II. Today, it is part of the parade uniform of the presidential guard in Athens.
In the nineteenth century, the fez is widely used as uniforms of soldiers recruited locally in the settlements. French troops in North Africa, created as a result of the conquest of Algeria in 1831, wore similar headgear but not rigid: the fez, traditional hairstyle African troops. In felted woolen cloth of crimson, purplish, it became characteristic of the Zouaves (initially formed troupe of Algerian Kabyle soldiers, but exclusively European in 1842) as Algerian and Tunisian riflemen, African Hunters (mainly European ) as Algerian and Tunisian spahis and finally the body of native artillery troop.
Zouave soldier during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
During British rule (1858-1947), two Indian regiments recruited in Muslim areas wore fez (although the turban is widespread among the sepoys (in) and sowars, both Hindus and Muslims). LesKing's African Rifles English (recruited since 1902 in British East Africa) had red and black striped fez, while the Royal West African Frontier Force had smaller red. The Egyptian army had the classic Turkish model until 1950. The army regiment Caribbean britanniqueportait the fez as an integral element of his uniform until the unit was disbanded in 1928. The tradition maintained in the regiment of Barbados, with white turban wound around the base.
Belgian Public Force in the Congo (1885-1908) had large fez similar to those of the Senegalese riflemen or Companhias Portuguese Indigenas. LesAskaris in German East Africa (1885-1919) wore their khaki fez on all occasions. The regiments in the service of Italy from Somalia and Eritrea (colonialisées 1889) had high red fezzes adorned with pompons match the color of the unit. Libyan battalions and squadrons of the Italian colonial army wore smaller red fez with white caps. On European soil, infantry Bosnian Muslims (the Bosnisch-hercegovinische Infantry (de)) established in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1882, was characterized by the wearing of the fez in La Première World War. In World War II, the 13th Mountain Division SS Handschar, recruited from among the Bosnian Muslims, were also fez.
Soldiers of the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar, reading an educational booklet, Islam and Judaism (southern France, summer 1943).
The fez is a colorful and picturesque part of the uniform. However, it is impractical, and at different points of view. It must be covered, otherwise serve as a target to enemy fire, and provides little protection against the sun. Therefore, it was gradually relegated to parades or required permission during World War II. He was replaced by wide-brimmed hats or straw hats for other occasions. However, the colonial police continued to consider the military fez hat as for the natives.
The armies from colonization were fairly quickly freed from fez. However, it is still worn in the Red Guards in Senegal ceremonial uniforms as part of their holding spahi type and in some cases by Italian Bersaglieri (created in 1836). They adopted the fez as informal hairstyle through the influence of zouavesfrançais, alongside whom they fought in the Crimean War (1853-1856). Spanish Regulares (created in 1911 and composed of Moors) stationed in the Spanish enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla have a dress uniform including traditional fez and white coat. The Border Forces of Liberia, independent since 1847, although not a colonial army, wore the fez until the 1940s the Philippines units briefly wore a black fez, the beginning of the dominance of the United States ( Originated in the years 1889-1899). A green fez was worn by fire hose Bahawalpur in Pakistan in the late 1960s.
Morocco is the gem of the North Africa having coastlines on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has tremendous culture due to the inhabitation of the multi-ethnic population. While traveling to Morocco, the colors of indigenous Berber community and Jewish and Muslim populace can easily be observed. The country is a reasonably huge country and its every part has its own cultural recognition. A Berber woman in her traditional dress ( Image: Angelas Travels ) A Berber woman in her traditional dress ( Image: Angelas Travels ) The Moroccan society is not conservative because Morocco is a peaceful and tourist friendly country. Morocco has no particular rules and regulation about the clothing but the Moroccans have kept alive the custom to wear the traditional dress of Morocco. A random capture of the Moroccons in their traditional dresses- Allan Old's Image Moroccans are overall a stylish and smart nation and they prefer to dress up with fashionable and impressive clothing. Both men and women wear a same traditional attire which is called djellaba; a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves.
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A Moroccon girl wearing traditional dress - Angelas Travels
The women of Morocco also wear Caftan or Kaftan which is without a hood unlike the djellaba. This dress is particularly decorated with the typical woman embroidery upon the dress openings and arms. Kaftan is usually worn on the festive occasions and wedding ceremonies by the Moroccan women.
Another traditional cloak made with a delicate fabric and mostly in white color is known as “Haik” which is used by the Moroccan village women. In addition to thatGandora is also used by the Moroccan women which have heavy and fancy stitching and adornments. A pretty Moroccon woman dressed up with the ceremonial dress - ReebA's photo
For all of the Moroccan women the bright colored silks and other dainty fabrics are favorites. The craftsmen and tailors apply their special skills to make the women dresses attractive and graceful. The women of high class also use a traditional belt which has golden embroidery and exquisite decorations along the edges.
A Moroccon man wearing the traditional outfit and Fez - Grete Howard's Image
Abernousse is a traditional red cap for the Moroccan men which they normally use in special occasions. Abernousse is commonly referred to as a Fez. Both men and women use Balgha, the typical Moroccan slippers without heels and often dyed with yellow.
A Moroccon water seller in his traditional costume - Richard Sharrocks image
The traditional dress of Morocco is the true reflection of the charming and fascinated Moroccanheritage. People of every class in Morocco are very conscious about their dress codes. The traditional loose fitting outfits are commonly worn by the folk artists during their presentations while the modern Moroccan population is also much influenced with the Western style of dressing.
A Moroccon Belly Dancer in her traditional dancing costume - Thomas Grim's Image
Psychology has proved that all its branches agreed upon the fact that a person’s environment affects the upbringing and personality of that person. The environment molds and shapes one’s personality. A person is affected by his parents doctrines, bias, stereotypes held toward different things and people. The same thing is proved to be true by the theory of Mustapha Hijazi.
The theory is called “The psychology of depressed people.” It states that a depressed person yields to the things ascribed to him. If the person, for example, is labeled stupid and less successful by his family, with time he will take it for granted and assume that the claim is true. The fact is also true with Moroccan women. They are regarded as inferior; henceforth, they surrender and made themselves weak and margin. Accordingly, the environment affects much on a person’s personality than the biological and inherited features.
Women in some Moroccan areas are very marginalized. Men use some degrading slogans and words while speaking about or addressing women. To mention but only a few, the saying which is deeply disgracing and degrading women is “Lamra hashak.” This phrase is used in the south east of Morocco. However, it is too distinct nowadays thanks to many factors.
Moroccan women are known by many characteristics that make them so special. One of these typical images on women in general and on Moroccans in particular is Satanism. Demonism, foxiness and lack of faith are ascribed characteristics to women since ancient times.
The most known religions admit that woman is the origin of the sin. They are the cause for man to be dispelled from God’s mercy. Christians believe that the French word “femme” from the Latin language refers to “Fe Minus.” The word means “carence de foi,” a French phrase that means lack of faith. Accordingly, Jews claim the same thing as Christians. So do pious Islamists who assume that men outweigh women in terms of hygiene, mental and corporal ability. They base their judgments on menstruation and some preachers’ teachings. Furthermore, the recipes used by women to beautify themselves or to heal casual sicknesses are not wanted by men. They send out a stink of smells. But this does not mean that women have poor standards of hygiene.
The standing point of outside observers is completely different from the one of the target or observed people. To the people of Gulf and some other countries, Moroccan women are prostitutes. The European and American people believe that Muslims are terrorists and their wives are fortunetellers and sorceresses. I should admit that there is prostitution and sorcery in Morocco and like other areas of the world. But, the degree varies from one country to another. The outsiders tend to over-generalize to the extent that quick judgments on women on the street overflow.
Because of this over-generalization, girls in the street face sexual harassment from Moroccans and tourists who fail to distinguish between innocent women and prostitutes.
The first thing a visitor may notice on Moroccan women is art. They are artists in their society, more so than men. The Arabic and especially the amazigh women shape the Moroccan identity per se. They decorated their faces with tattoo dyed their hands and feet with henna and painted their faces with saffron. They also embroider their clothes and scarves and head coverings with brightly colored arabesque motifs. They sew their clothes by themselves. They are creative in essence that they find solutions to small troubles they encounter in life.
A big discrepancy is clearly seen, however, in some stereotypes on Moroccan women. An example would be, if a woman is characterized by foxiness, then she is cleaver. Her mental capabilities are great since she can deceive smart people. Another discrepancy is that women are deemed to be untidy and not clean. But, they pass all day long doing homework, cleaning, ironing, washing clothes and catering for their offspring. Women are the driving force for a nation’s development. If a mother, sister, cousin and daughter are very weak in all domains, no nation will ever develop, because women are half of the society.
In cities with medinas the used clothes are more traditional, but still there are those who view much like the European.
The women of Morocco also wear Caftan or Kaftan which is without a hood unlike the djellaba. This dress is particularly decorated with the typical woman embroidery upon the dress openings and arms. Kaftan is usually worn on the festive occasions and wedding ceremonies by the Moroccan women.
