MARRAKESH (MOROCCO) (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meetings in Marrakesh later this week are expected to unveil the roadmap for regulating crypto assets and reforming multilateral development banks (MDBs).Morocco

• Location: Western North Africa.
• Boundary: Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
• It is the only African country with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Strait: It lies directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain.
• Climate: Mediterranean climate, with mild wet winters and hot dry summers.
• Mountain Ranges: The Atlas Mountains dominate the central part of the country, while the Rif Mountains make up the northern edge.
• Jebel Toubkal is the highest point in Morocco at 13,664 ft (4,165 m) and is also the highest peak of the Atlas Mountains.

Marrakesh

Marrakesh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & the fourth largest city in Morocco.

The 12th century Koutoubia Mosque in the city is one of the city’s important landmarks.