Berber woman of Morocco

The Berbers or Amazighs are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa. They are distributed in an area stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Siwa Oasis in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Niger River. Historically, they spoke Berber languages, which together form the Berber branch of the Afro-Asiatic family. Since the Muslim conquest of North Africa in the seventh century, a large number of Berbers inhabiting the Maghreb have acquired different degrees of knowledge of varieties of the languages of North Africa. After the colonization of North Africa by France, "the French government succeeded in integrating the French language in Algeria by making French the official national language and requiring all education to take place in French." Foreign languages, mainly French and to some degree Spanish, inherited from former European colonial powers, are used by most educated Berbers in Algeria and Morocco in some formal contexts, such as higher education or business.

Today, most Berber people live in Northern African countries, mainly in Algeria and Morocco; a small Berber population is also found in Niger, Mali, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and Egypt, as well as large immigrant communities living in France, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and other countries of Europe.

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks to Merouan for this lovely postcard for my People collection!

Sent: 12 August 2014    Received: 5 September 2014   Travelled: 24 days

Andalucia

The Andalusia is a south-western European region established as an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain. It is the most populated and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities in Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Seville. Its capital is the city of Seville (Spanish: Sevilla).

The name "Andalusia" is derived from the Arabic word Al-Andalus and this term derives in turn from an older word: Vandalusia or land of the Vandals. As well as Muslim and Romani influences, the region's history and culture have been influenced by the earlier Iberians, Carthaginians/Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines, as well as the later Castilian and other Christian North Iberian nationalities who conquered and repopulated the area in the latter phases of the Reconquista.

Andalusia has been a traditionally agricultural region, compared to the rest of Spain and the rest of Europe. However, the growth of the community especially in the sectors of industry and services was above average in Spain and higher than many communities in the eurozone. The region has, however, a rich culture and a strong cultural identity. Many cultural phenomena that are seen internationally as distinctively Spanish are largely or entirely Andalusian in origin. These include flamenco, bullfighting, and certain Moorish-influenced architectural styles.
Source: Wikipedia

Sent by Merouan who was in Spain for a marathon.

Thanks for thinking of me and this map card ^_^

Received: 8 December 2015

Camel Market

Camel Market in Imilchil.

Thanks Merouan for this awesome card!

Sent: 2 April 2014,   Received: 25 April 2013,   Travelled: 13 days

Casablanca

 Casablanca,ah how such name thrums romantic twinges in the the heart's memory

Another card sent by Merouan, thank you so much!

Sent: 18 February 2013,   Arrived: 7 March 2013,   Travelled: 17 days

Marrakech, Morocco

 

 Sent by Merouan, a great view of the Red City of Marrakech.

Sent: 18 February 2013,   Arrived: 7 March 2013,   Travelled: 17 days