Robert HardingToday marks the anniversary of Morocco’s independence from France and Spain in 1956. We searched our favourite photos of this fascinating country from our picture archive.
Although only a short hop from Spain, Morocco immerses you in a sensory, traditional culture that is a far cry from Europe. Beautifully preserved medieval cities with winding streets and chaotic bazaars form gateways to stunning mountain ranges where indigenous Berber tribal life can still be found, and the golden sands of the Sahara Desert stretch as far as the eye can see.
Djemma el Fna square and Koutoubia Mosque at dusk, Marrakech (John Miller/Robert Harding)
Traditional footware, Souk, Medina, Marrakech (Martin Child/Robert Harding)
The souks, Marrakech (age fotostock/Robert Harding)
Hands painted with henna, Ouarzazate, valley of the Draa River (age fotostock/Robert Harding)
Chefs at food stalls in the evening in the Djemma-el-Fna square, Marrakech (Neil Emmerson/Robert Harding)
Kasbah near Essaouira (Jane Sweeney/Robert Harding)
Sahara Desert (Cubo Images/Robert Harding)
Traditional food of chicken tagine, and lamb with cous cous, Marrakech (Lee Frost/Robert Harding)
Bedouin man, Hassi Labiad near Merzouga (Lee Frost/Robert Harding)
Fort in the Gorge of the Dades, catching dusk light, High Atlas Mountains (Laurent Grandadam/Robert Harding)
Moroccan woman with her hands decorated with henna (age fotostock/Robert Harding)
Music Festival, Marrakech (age fotostock/Robert Harding)
To see more photos of Morocco click here