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With its relative proximity to Europe and increasingly easy to access from international airports, Morocco has long attracted visitors from abroad. A large part of its charm is due to its historical significance as a cultural crossroads between Arabic, Middle-Eastern, African and European cultures and communities. Morocco is safe places to travel.

Modern Morocco is developing fast and its cities rival any in Europe or North America for facilities, infrastructure and modern conveniences. In rural Morocco - in the plains, mountains and deserts - life continues as it has for centuries. This juxtaposition of traditional life and modernity, the familiar and the exotic, is as appealing today as when adventurers and discoverers passed through in bygone eras.

The indigenous people of Morocco are the Berbers (also known as Amazigh, literally "free men"). They were the original inhabitants of the mountains and deserts. A little-known facet of Morocco's history is where Berber and Jewish history and culture intertwine. There were several waves of Jewish immigration to North Africa, potentially beginning in the BCE period and certainly pre-dating the arrival of Islam from Arabia in the 7th century.

The result of such a long history of cohabitation and assimilation and integration of others' cultural practices has created a modern Moroccan population which - at up to 50% Berber (the remainder being by large majority of Arab descent) is resilient to external shocks and reluctant to upset the balance of closely-knit communities.

The modern monarch King Mohammed VI has also taken time to cultivate productive relationships with key Western powers. The relationship with the EU, including on some contentious issues such as immigration, trade and international security, is closer than it has ever been. The relationship with the USA is similar. Morocco was the first country to recognize US independence and - over 200 years later - Morocco remains a key ally in the strategic Middle East and North Africa region.

These relationships and their importance to Moroccan economic and social stability are at least in part behind Morocco's strenuous efforts to tackle international terrorism and religious extremism.

Thus far, Morocco has not been the victim of attacks by international organized terrorists and on your visit to Morocco you will notice a very visible presence of security forces in strategic locations such as transport hubs and tourist centers designed to reassure visitors of the high levels of security in the country.

Your national government will provide travel and security advice for visitors intending to visit Morocco. In general, the risk of international terrorism is no greater than in major cities of Europe or the US. Like in those cities, there is a risk of petty theft. Morocco is a developing country and the wealth gap between local people and tourists can drive a small minority to crime. Be sure to exercise the usual precautions on your visit regarding cash, jewelry and other valuables. Do not carry them around in large or visible quantities and make sure you are aware of the potential for pickpockets in crowds.