Morocco is a fascinating country with a rich culture and long history. It’s home to bustling bazaars, rugged mountains, vast deserts, and miles of beautiful coastline. Let’s explore this amazing country through 44 fun riddles!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is the highest mountain range in Morocco?
Answer: The High Atlas Mountains, which reach up to 13,671 feet at their highest point.
Riddle 2
Morocco has two coastlines, one along the Mediterranean Sea and one along which ocean?
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean borders Morocco to the west.
Riddle 3
Which major city in Morocco is located where the Bou Regreg River meets the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: Rabat, Morocco’s capital and second largest city after Casablanca.
Riddle 4
What is the name of the desert that covers much of southern Morocco?
Answer: The Sahara Desert stretches across much of Morocco.
Riddle 5
What strait separates Morocco from Spain by only 8 miles at its narrowest point?
Answer: The Strait of Gibraltar.
History & Culture Riddles
Riddle 6
For how many centuries did the Berber dynasties rule Morocco?
Answer: Berber dynasties ruled Morocco for over 400 years, from the 11th to the 15th centuries.
Riddle 7
Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956. What European country ruled northern Morocco before that?
Answer: Spain. Northern Morocco was under Spanish rule from 1912 until 1956.
Riddle 8
What was the name of the Berber dynasty that established Marrakesh as Morocco’s capital in the 11th-12th centuries?
Answer: The Almoravid dynasty.
Riddle 9
In what century did Arabs first conquer Morocco, bringing with them Islam?
Answer: The Arabs conquered Morocco in the 7th century AD, beginning the spread of Islam.
Riddle 10
Morocco’s legendary “Blue City” is renowned for the cobalt blue color of its buildings. What is the name of this city?
Answer: Chefchaouen, located in the Rif Mountains.
Language & Cuisine Riddles
Riddle 11
What are Morocco’s two official languages?
Answer: Arabic and Berber (Amazigh) are Morocco’s official languages.
Riddle 12
What is the name of Morocco’s unique calligraphy-inspired artwork that adorns buildings, fountains, and more?
Answer: Zellij, colorful mosaic tilework.
Riddle 13
The sweet dessert pastry warqa is used to make what delicious Moroccan delicacy?
Answer: Warqa is used to make sweet or savory briwat pastries.
Riddle 14
What is Morocco’s national drink, made from loose green tea mixed with fresh mint and sugar?
Answer: Mint tea, often served in ornate silver teapots.
Riddle 15
Which spice blend containing over a dozen spices gives Moroccan cuisine its distinctive flavor?
Answer: Ras el hanout.
People & Places Riddles
Riddle 16
French painter Henri Matisse produced some of his most famous paintings in what Moroccan city?
Answer: Tangier, where Matisse had a studio in 1912-13.
Riddle 17
Writer Paul Bowles spent over 50 years in Morocco, primarily living in what city?
Answer: Tangier was Bowles’ home for the majority of his time in Morocco.
Riddle 18
Who was the first Moroccan-born tennis player to be ranked in the top 10 worldwide?
Answer: Younes El Aynaoui achieved a career-high ranking of #14 in 2003.
Riddle 19
The central square in Marrakesh, Jemaa el-Fnaa, comes alive at night with street food, performers, and more. What nickname is it known by?
Answer: Jemaa el-Fnaa is often called “The Square of the Dead” due to its history of public executions.
Riddle 20
The mausoleum of which sultan lies within the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the largest mosque in Morocco?
Answer: The mosque houses the tomb of Hassan II, Morocco’s leader from 1961 to 1999.
Natural Wonders Riddles
Riddle 21
The town of Erfoud is known as Morocco’s capital for which valuable natural resource, beginning with “f”?
Answer: Erfoud is considered the fossil capital of Morocco.
Riddle 22
Morocco is home to over 3,000 species of plants, including 1,200 endemic species found nowhere else. What geographic features contribute to this diversity?
Answer: Morocco’s location, varied topography, and climates all contribute to its diversity of flora.
Riddle 23
The national park of Souss-Massa protects important nesting grounds for which giant endangered sea turtle?
Answer: The leatherback sea turtle nests on beaches within Souss-Massa National Park.
Riddle 24
The rare and beautiful Northern Bald Ibis can be found in Souss-Massa National Park. What is unusual about its bald head?
Answer: The ibis has a bright red bald head!
Riddle 25
Morocco has two species of monkey that live in the wild. One is the Barbary macaque – what’s the other?
Answer: The Barbary macaque and the Magot monkey (Barbary apes) are indigenous to Morocco.
Ancient Sites Riddles
Riddle 26
Volubilis is an ancient Roman city and UNESCO site near Meknes. When was it built?
Answer: Volubilis was originally built in the 3rd century BC as a Carthaginian settlement.
Riddle 27
The Bronze Age ruins of Lixus date back nearly 3,000 years. What rare metal was produced there?
Answer: Lixus was one of the few places in the ancient world that produced purple dye from murex seashells.
Riddle 28
Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 as a small fortress town. What religious group sought refuge there after being expelled from Spain?
Answer: Chefchaouen provided refuge for Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492.
Riddle 29
The oldest university in the world, University of al-Qarawiyyin, is located in which Moroccan city?
Answer: Fez is home to the ancient University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD.
Riddle 30
The ruined city of Sijilmasa was a major trading center on the trans-Saharan caravan route. Which commodity was it known for trading?
Answer: Sijilmasa was a hub for trading gold from sub-Saharan Africa.
Legends & Folklore Riddles
Riddle 31
According to legend, which creature terrified villagers in the Middle Atlas mountains but was eventually turned to stone?
Answer: The Roc, a giant mythical bird of prey.
Riddle 32
In Marrakesh folklore, what creatures are said to tell fortunes by selecting stones from a tray?
Answer: Tortoises.
Riddle 33
Sightings of which mythical creature are rumored in the Rif mountains and other remote areas?
Answer: The ghoul, an undead monster said to feed on human flesh.
Riddle 34
The Aït Benhaddou kasbah is said to be haunted by what female ghost, punished for breaking a vow?
Answer: The kasbah is haunted by the Black Widow ghost, according to legend.
Riddle 35
Figuig is said to have 330 ancient underground tunnels built to confuse the attack of what mythical creatures?
Answer: The tunnels confused attacks by djinns, according to local lore.
Traditional Crafts Riddles
Riddle 36
Fez is renowned for its embroidery using gold or silver threads. What is this technique called?
Answer: The fine metal embroidery of Fez is known as zardozi.
Riddle 37
Moroccan leatherwork using geometric shapes pressed into dyed leather is called what?
Answer: The leather stamping technique is called beldi.
Riddle 38
Intricate metal lamps called lanterns are a traditional craft of which Moroccan city?
Answer: Fez – the lanterns are known as FEZ Lamps.
Riddle 39
Brightly painted, handcrafted ceramics called tajines are commonly used for what purpose?
Answer: Tajines are traditional ceramic cooking vessels.
Riddle 40
What are the slippers withpointy, curling toes commonly worn by Moroccans called?
Answer: Babouches.
Music & Entertainment Riddles
Riddle 41
The shikaayates storytelling tradition combines prose, poetry, and what type of music?
Answer: Shikaayates incorporates traditional Gnaoua music.
Riddle 42
What wooden wind instrument, played vertically, provides the driving rhythm behind much Moroccan folk music?
Answer: The rhaita, a double reed instrument.
Riddle 43
Sufi musical traditions are kept alive through rituals of the Gnawa – followers of which mystical Islamic tradition?
Answer: The Gnawa are devotees of Sufism in Morocco.
Riddle 44
The Berber inhabited Anti-Atlas region is known for a style of music fittingly called what, meaning “the poetry of the stones”?
Answer: Tagnawit, or “the poetry of the stones.”
Conclusion
Did you get stumped on any of these riddles? Morocco has such a rich culture and history to explore. These 44 puzzles provide just a glimpse into this amazing country. From ancient sites to bustling bazaars, Morocco is full of wonder. The next time you’re looking for adventure, consider a trip to Morocco!
