photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Morocco >> Sahara Desert and Atlas Mts., Mococco (October 2007) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Sahara Desert and Atlas Mts., Mococco (October 2007)

Most of the southeastern portion of Morocco is in the Sahara Desert, which is the northern boundary of the Western Sahara. This part of Morocco is generally sparsely populated and poor economically. The Sahara Desert is the world's second largest desert after Antarctica.* At over 9,000,000 square km., it covers most parts of northern Africa.

The Atlas Mountains are the backbone of Morocco, extending across the country southwest to northeast between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rif Mountains. The highest peak is Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167 meters, located in the Great Atlas in southwestern Morocco. The population of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco are mainly the indigenous Berber tribes. As I found out, the spectacular views alone are worth the effort to make the challenging drive through the Atlas Mountains.

*Footnote - Since there is little precipitation in Antarctica, except at the coasts, the interior of the continent is technically the world's largest desert.
Sahara Desert cover page.jpg
Sahara Desert cover page.jpg		 Topographical map of Morocco showing the desert (in brown) and the Atlas Mountains (in dark green).
Topographical map of Morocco showing the desert (in brown) and the Atlas Mountains (in dark green).		 Typical landscape that I saw driving between Er Rachidia and Erfoud in southern Morocco.
Typical landscape that I saw driving between Er Rachidia and Erfoud in southern Morocco.		 A panoramic photo (made from 3 photos) of the previous landscape.
A panoramic photo (made from 3 photos) of the previous landscape.
Another panoramic shot of the barren landscape and a river in southern Morocco.
Another panoramic shot of the barren landscape and a river in southern Morocco.		 One more panoramic photo taken between Er Rachidia and Erfoud.
One more panoramic photo taken between Er Rachidia and Erfoud.		 Houses in southern Morocco close to Erfoud.
Houses in southern Morocco close to Erfoud.		 A panoramic photo of the previous houses.
A panoramic photo of the previous houses.
I captured this desert sunset while driving between Erfoud and Merzouga in southern Morocco.
I captured this desert sunset while driving between Erfoud and Merzouga in southern Morocco.		 Erg Chebbi is where the real Sahara Desert starts at the village of Merzouga. In Arabic, the word erg means dune.
Erg Chebbi is where the real Sahara Desert starts at the village of Merzouga. In Arabic, the word "erg" means "dune."		 Erg Chebbi is renowned for its great size and height. It is 22 km. long and 5 km. wide and is up to 150 m. high.
Erg Chebbi is renowned for its great size and height. It is 22 km. long and 5 km. wide and is up to 150 m. high.		 The locals believe that these dunes were sent as a punishment for turning away a weary traveler from the desert.
The locals believe that these dunes were sent as a punishment for turning away a weary traveler from the desert.
A panoramic photo of the Erg Chebbi dunes (made from 4 photos).
A panoramic photo of the Erg Chebbi dunes (made from 4 photos).		 I went on a camel trek for 2 hours on the Sahara Desert at the Erg Chebbi dunes.
I went on a camel trek for 2 hours on the Sahara Desert at the Erg Chebbi dunes.		 My desert guide and me at Erg Chebbi. I worried because it was Ramadan, so he was not allowed to drink water on the trek!
My desert guide and me at Erg Chebbi. I worried because it was Ramadan, so he was not allowed to drink water on the trek!		 Atlas Mountains view as I was approaching Ouarzazate during my drive from Erfoud.
Atlas Mountains view as I was approaching Ouarzazate during my drive from Erfoud.
This Atlas Mountain view was on the road (which was hairy) between Ouarzazate and Marrakech! You can see the road in the photo.
This Atlas Mountain view was on the road (which was hairy) between Ouarzazate and Marrakech! You can see the road in the photo.		 Me in front of the precipitous Atlas Mountains. No, I was not feeling suicidal!
Me in front of the precipitous Atlas Mountains. No, I was not feeling suicidal!

comment | share
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image