Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in many parts of the country, despite a harsh environment. In the flat coastal areas in the north of the country which receive more precipitation, a wide variety of crops is grown - wheat, canola and tomatoes, lots of tomatoes. The climate becomes drier and cooler with increasing distance from the coast - crops give way to pastoralism which in Morocco means sheep and goats. With increasing elevation, pastoralism continues but switches to nomadic herding and fewer head of livestock per hectare. However, olives are omnipresent - it is the world’s fourth largest producer of olive oil.
Access to water can have a major impact on land use - for example in desert areas, sheltered valleys where irrigation is possible, are capable of producing bumper fruit and vegetable crops which are grown in the shade provided by date palms..
Another major crop is grapes, much of which is made into wine. There are many wine growing regions in the country, but Meknes and Fes are the principal centres. The local wines are well priced and quality acceptable. However, be warned - red wine when served in a restaurant is chilled, and white at room temperature.
Tourism is also an important element of the economy - the number of friends and neighbours who have just come from or about to go to Morocco is amazing. As in many other countries, when in a small group tour, there is one guide who stays with the group the entire time - helps with hotel check in, recommendations on where to eat, access ATM’s etc. When in towns or tourist sites along the way, there is usually a local tour guide engaged to provide more “specialised” local knowledge - we had 6 such guides.
There are two niche components of the national economy: one is the production of argan oil often made in women run co-operatives such as in Ouirgane. The second is movie making which is centred on the towns of Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou; the industry really took off in the 1950’s after the days of the French Protectorate.
In addition there is some oil, mining, car and plane parts in addition to financial services to round out the economy.