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Morocco, Africa's Western Kingdom, is a country rich in culture and history with both Arab and European influences. One of Morocco's main attractions is the Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert that is nearly as large as The United States. Ouarzazate is located in the southeast region of the country over 300 miles from Casablanca, the country's largest city and economic capital. Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zā-zāt) means without noise in Arabic, and is oftentimes referred to as the door of the desert as the city is considered to be the core of the Sahara's tourism industry.
Ouarzazate originated as a military post in the early portion of the 20th century during the time of French occupation. The region's climate conditions are surprisingly prime for agriculture, with the nearby Atlas Mountains and Draa River serving as water sources. This semi-desert climate is composed of two main ethnic groups: Arabs and Berbers. Berbers are an ethnic group native to northwest Africa who speak one of the many dialects of the Berber language such as Tamazight, Tarifit, Riffi or Tachelhit. Ouarzazate's visitors are not just those on an excursion through the Sahara or the Valley of the Draa River-the city is also famous for housing Ait Benhaddou, one of the most well-preserved Kasbahs along the Draa River. Major movie studios are also located in the city, making it a hub for film production in the region. "Jewel of the Nile," "Gladiator," and "Kundun" are among the many movies filmed at the movie studios in Ouarzazate, and many more films have been shot in and around the city. Because of the influx of majority celebrity power going to and from the studios, Ouarzazate has a large number of luxury hotels located all over the city.
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The Sahara
It is nearly impossible to be in Ouarzazate and not visit the Sahara. This 2.5 million year old desert that spans 3,500,000 square miles spans ten different nations including Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. Explore old camel routes that connected the region's major trading capitals. The Western Sahara also has a more varied range of plant life due to the arid climate, offering a totally different experience from the eastern portion of the Sahara.
The Atlas Studios
Colloquially known as "Moroccan Hollywood," Ouarzazate is home to three different movie studios. The Atlas Studios, however, are the largest and most famous with such films as "Cleopatra" and "Moses" being filmed on its stages.
The Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
One of the most well-preserved Kasbahs in the region, Ait Benhaddou is located along the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. The Fortified City only has ten families still residing within its walls, but visitors are welcome in this traditional Moroccan village. Ait Benhaddou has served as the backdrop for some of Hollywood's most famous films such as "Gladiator," "The Mummy," "and "Lawrence of Arabia."
El Kelaa des M' Gouna
Located about 50 miles from Ouarzazate, these famous rose gardens seem like a mirage in the middle of this desert climate. Home to a famous rose festival every may, the roses from these gardens are rumored to be used by Yves Saint Lauren their well-known scent, Paris.
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