MOROCCO AND ITS LOCATION
Lesson 1 : By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the location of Morocco and its main cities using Prepositions of Place
“Morocco is the greatest. I should be getting money from the Moroccans because I’m just telling everyone that it’s a wonderful place to go.”
~Bill Murray, American actor and comedian
Step 1: What Do You Know About the Location of Morocco and its Main Cities?
Where in the world is Morocco?
Is it in Asia? In the Middle East? In Africa or in South America?
If you are a football fan, then this question shouldn’t be difficult for you. As you know, Morocco came second in the recent Africa Cup of Nations games, after losing 0-1 to Senegal.
24 teams participated in this 35th AFCON tournament which was hosted by Morocco and took place between December 21st, 2025 and January 18th, 2026.
The matches were played at different stadiums in Morocco’s major cities such as Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier.
Do these cities ring a bell to you?
Let’s test your knowledge.
Short quiz about the location of Morocco and its main cities
Key Information
Morocco is located in northwest Africa. The capital city of Morocco is Rabat. Rabat is located on the Atlantic coast. Besides, two bodies of water border the country: the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, Essaouira and Meknes are other major cities. Marrakesh and Fez are inland, which means that they are not found near the coast. They are located in the interior of the country.
In contrast, Casablanca, Essaouira and Tangier are coastal cities. The first two cities lie on othe Atlantic Ocean. Actually, Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and business centre. It is modern and known for its major port and attracts a lot of tourists every year.
As for Tangier, it is special because it lies on Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Other geographical features include the great Atlas Mountains that run through the centre of Morocco. The famous Sahara Desert can also be found in the south of the country.
Your Turn: Make at least 3 sentences in which you talk about the location of Morocco. You can record yourself with your mobile phone.
Well done!
🇲🇦ℳℴ𝓇ℴ𝒸𝒸ℴ🥭
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Step 2: What are Prepositions of Place?
Prepositions of Place are words that show where something is located in relation to something else. In today’s lesson, we will be using many of these Prepositions of Place to describe Morocco, Moroccan cities and important landmarks.
Sample Sentences:
- Morocco is in Africa/ North Africa/ northwest Africa.
- Morocco is at the top northwest corner of the African continent.
- Morocco is next to the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
- Fez is far from the coast/ the Atlantic Ocean.
- Rabat is on the Atlantic coast.
- Marakkesh is not near the sea.
- The Atlas Mountains are in the middle of the country.
- Spain is opposite Morocco at the Strait of Gibraltar.
- The e Strait of Gibraltar is between Spain and Morocco.
- The Sahara Desert is below the Atlas Mountains in the south.
- The Atlas Mountains are above the Sahara Desert.
- The Hassan II Mosque is in front of the Atlantic Ocean in Casablanca.
- Markets and cafés are around Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakesh.
- Tangier is at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Your Turn: Can you find other 3 other examples? You can use the internet if you need help. Don’t forget to record yourself!
Very well done!
Step 3: Let’s Talk More about Morocco
Type of Government, Cities and Location of Main Government Institutions
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the country is ruled by a King. However, his powers are limited by a constitution, which is a set of laws and principles.
King Mohamed VI is the King of Morocco. He is the head of state and also a religious leader.
The Royal Palace, the Moroccan Parliament and most government ministries are located in Rabat, the capital city.
Casablanca is the economic centre of Morocco. Many business and financial institutions are also found in this city.
In Fez, you will find Morocco’s religious centre and a famous historic university.
Tangier, a major port city, is known as the gateway to Europe.
Marrakesh lies inland and has a royal palace as well.
Sample Description
Morocco, the country I recently visited, is a constitutional monarchy. It is ruled by King Mohamed VI. He is the official head of state and presides over an elected government. Morocco has a multi-party system and legislative elections take place every five years.
The main government institutions such as the Parliament are found in Rabat, the capital city. You can find the business and religious centres in Casablanca and Fez respectively.
Tangier is closer to Europe and boasts of a major port. Finally, in Marrakesh, another important city, you will find one of the royal palaces.
Your Turn: What type of government system do you have in your country? Where are the main institutions located? Make at least 3 sentences. You can write down these sentences in a notebook or a piece of paper.
Excellent!
Location of Morocco in Africa
Morocco is a country in North Africa. It is located at the top northwest corner of the African continent, close to Europe. Thanks to this position, Morocco connects Africa with Europe and the Middle East.
The country also has two seas: the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. These seas are important for trade, fishing, travel and tourism.
The strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Spain. At its narrowest point, the distance is only about 14 kilometres! This is an important migration corridor for birds and a dangerous one for people who risk their lives to go Spain.
Morocco also shares land borders with other countries: Algeria to the east and the disputed Western Sahara territory to the south.
This country’s location is strategic. Its position between Africa, Europe and the Atlantic world makes it crucial for commerce, culture and international relations.
Sample Description
Morocco is strategically located at the top northwest corner of the African continent. It has both water and land borders.
First of all, Morocco is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea. This provides the country with an important gateway to international trade routes.
The Strait of Gibraltar is another important passage that connects Morocco to Europe. Every year thousands of birds and people cross this passage in order to reach the Spanish shores.
Additionally, Morocco shares land borders with the Algeria to the east and the disputed Western Sahara territory to the south.
All in all, Morocco’s geographical position allows it to interact with the African, European and Atlantic worlds in an easy manner. These interactions are commercial, cultural and international.
Landmarks
Morocco has famous landmarks, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the historic medina of Marrakesh, you will find the Koutoubia Mosque and the Jemaa el-Fna Square.
The mosque has a large minaret, beautiful gardens and is an important religious and cultural site in the city. The square is a popular tourist spot where there are many street performers, food stalls and souks.
In the northeast of Morocco, there is the Medina of Fez, a historic city, which is one of the oldest in the world. It is famous for its narrow and pedestrian streets, traditional markets and ancient buildings. Both the medinas of Marrakesh and Fez are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
On the Atlantic coast, we find Africa’s largest mosque which is called the Hassan II mosque. We also have the Cathedral of Casablanca, a historic landmark in Casablanca. It is a beautiful building from the French colonial period and is used today for cultural events.
As far as nature is concerned, there are the Atlas Mountains in the centre of Morocco. This mountain range is also present in Algeria and Tunisia. It is about 2500 km long!
Lastly, farther south and southeast, we find the famous Sahara Desert. The camel rides, sand dunes, oases and desert towns attract many visitors throughout the year.
Sample Description
Morocco has many famous landmarks. Some of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
If you are a tourist, you will enjoy visiting the medina where you will find the Koutoubia Mosque and the Jemaa el-Fna Square. The mosque’s minaret is impressive and the gardens surrounding it are very beautiful. The square is a popular spot both for tourists and locals alike. Here you will treat yourself to live performances, street food and shopping. No wonder the medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you want a more historic feel, head to Fez and discover the Medina of Fez, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old city is unique with its narrow and pedestrian-friendly streets, souks and ancient buildings. Fez is also the religious centre of the country.
In Casablanca, you will find relics of the French presence in Morocco. The Cathedral of Casablanca is a magnificent monument which is now used for cultural events. A must-see landmark in Casablanca is also the Hassan II mosque. It is Africa’s largest mosque and its minaret is one of the tallest in the world!
If you are a nature lover, why not head to the Atlas Mountains, a breathtaking natural landmark? The mountains are right in the centre of the country. Here you will see farms, villages and beautiful nature.
Your last stopover will be in the Sahara Deserts in the south and southeast of the country. Of course, camel rides, big sand dunes, oases and desert towns will be waiting for you!
Your Turn: What landmarks can be found in your country? Are they UNESCO World Heritage Sites? What is special about them? Describe at least 3 of them. You can make a video recording of yourself using a mobile phone.
Excellent!
Adjectives and Numbers
Numbers and statistics teach us a lot about a country.
For example, 2025 was a record year for Morocco as far as tourism is concerned. About 20 million people visited the country, partly due to the organisation of the AFCON games.
Here are some more interesting figures when it comes to the location and size of Morocco.
Did you know that Morocco is about 710, 000 km², defining it as a large country in Africa?
We also previously saw that only 14 km separate the country from Europe at the Strait of Gibraltar. This makes Morocco one of the closest African countries to Europe.
Another important number is the length of the Moroccan coastlines. It is about 3, 500 km long when you take both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea coastlines. This is important for trade and fishing.
Additionally, the Atlas Mountains also stretches for about 2, 500 km, not only in Morocco but also into Algeria and Tunisia, forming one of the longest mountain ranges in North Africa!
Finally, the Sahara Desert also has some impressive figures. This natural landmark covers a large part of southern Morocco. The Sahara Desert is actually the largest hot desert in the world, covering about 9 million km² across 11 African countries such as Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara! Incredible, isn’t it?
Sample Description
Numbers teach us a lot about a country.
For instance, I have some figures that are quite interesting regarding the size, location and importance of Morocco on both local and international scenes.
First of all, Morocco is a large country in North Africa, covering about 710, 000 km². Its size makes it possible to have different landscapes and climates that appeal to visitors.
Secondly, Morocco is located very close to Europe, thanks to the Strait of Gibraltar. Actually, only 14 km separate the country from the European continent at its narrowest point.
Thirdly, Morocco boasts of 3, 500 km long coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This is, of course, important for fishing and trading. Morocco boasts of some of the largest ports in Africa and the world. As a matter of fact, the Tangier-Mediterranean is the largest port in Africa.
Let us not forget the Atlas Mountains and their impressive size. This range of mountains which located in the centre of the country stretchs for about 2,500 km and is even present in Algeria and Tunisia!
Finally, we have the majestic Sahara Desert. In fact, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, with an area of about 9 million km² (square kilometres). It stretches across 11 African countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. That is truly incredible!
Your Turn: What are the most impressive figures about your country concerning its size, location and place in the world? Make att least 5 sentences. Write them down and read them aloud to a person of your choice.
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That’s all for today! Thanks for your attention and until next time.
Upcoming lessons and Blog Posts!
Good luck!
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Further Exploration: English Grammar—Morocco (Lesson 1): Where in the World is Morocco? With Prepositions of Place (Level A2-B1)
Download:
More about Describing Countries
- Describe Your Country, Learn English With Africa, May 2019, PDF
- Flags of African Countries, Learn English With Africa, May 2019, PDF
- African Countries and their Capital Cities, Learn English With Africa, May 2019, PDF
Short Stories:
- English Short Story, UNDER? (with Prepositions), Level B1-B2 (Inspirational!), Learn English With Africa, October 2018
- Surprising Adverbs of Place!—A STRANGER IN OUR TOWN, English Short Story (Level A1-A2), Learn English With Africa, September 2023
Read:
- 2025-2026 AFCON statistics (Very detailed)
- English Vocabulary (Describing Places): Lesson 1-Where do You Live?
- English Vocabulary: Lesson 3-Describe Your City or Village
Shop:
About the Author
Thandi Ngwira Gatignol is the founder of Learn English With Africa. She was born on June 11th, 1981 in Blantyre, Malawi. When she was 19, she left her country of birth for France. She currently lives with her two daughters and husband in Poland.
Thandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in English studies obtained at the Université Paris X Nanterre in France and a Certificate in Journalism from Malawi. She has taught English as a French Ministry of Education certified teacher both in France and in Poland. She speaks six languages fluently, including French, Polish and Italian. She is now learning Kiswahili, German and Spanish. Salt No More is her debut novel and you can find her other books here on the website or on Amazon.
Course Title: English Grammar—Morocco (Lesson 1): Where in the World is Morocco? With Prepositions of Place (Level A2-B1) © Learn English With Africa, February 2026
