Morocco is a sunshine-rich, North African tourist destination with a peaceful mix of religions, cultures and age-old traditions. Morocco is geographically close to southern Spain but its culture and religious traditions transport the visitor far from Europe. The country has endured years of French and Spanish colonialism and its heritage. Morocco's imperial city of Marrakech is characterised by its fortified walls and is known as "the rose city" because of the red earth and colours that permeate this sunny tourist destination. The city streets reflect the centuries gone by with their snake charmers, belly dancers, and traditional bazaars.