AL MEDINA, MOROCCO-- IP Resort Finished!!! Download link included on 1st pg

History of Morocco.

Geography: Morocco is a country located in the Northwest corner of the Saharan Desert, with shores stretching across both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It borders Algeria to the East, Mauritania to the South, and Spain to the North. Although it lays claim to much disputed territory, Morocco administrates an area the size of California.

Climate Much of the country is covered in desert, which is characteristic of the Sahara. However in the High Atlas mountains, snow is extremely common and in Winter, it is possible to see snow covered-sand dunes. Sand dunes, forests and coastal plains all cover different areas of Morocco.

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People: Morocco is inhabited by a native population of Berbers (or Amazighen) as well as people of Arabian descent. In major cities there is also a sizable presence of foreigners from Europe and elsewhere.

Language: The major languages of Morocco are Arabic, Berber, and French.

Customs:

-People greet one another with a kiss on both cheeks.
-Timeliness is not a virtue.
-Moroccans are extremely hospitable, and you may be invited into a house within just a few seconds of meeting someone.
-Refreshing Mint Herbal Tea is served to guests. Being a good host means being an expert tea-brewer.
-One's social class is easily recognizable by one's proficiency in French. French is taught to 65 percent of school children. French is often used for business.
-Marketplaces and Tea Houses are the centers of much of public life.
-Romantic outings are not conducted between two people, but rather in groups of friends.

These are all things that you will see in Al Medina! Try your hand at these customs for a new kind of Sims 3 Gameplay.


History:

In the Classical Era, Morocco was inhabited by Phoenician traders and later served as a province in the Roman Empire. In this time, the territory was known as "Mauritania". It was at that time, Christianity became the first major religion to spread in the region.

After the decline and eventual fall of the Roman Empire, Morocco became part of the Byzantine Empire, however no foreign conquerors would be able to hold actual power over Morocco until many centuries later.

In the year 670 AD, a foreign Arab empire originating from Syria laid claim to Morocco and although they were not able to keep a long lasting political influence, they were able to introduce Islam. Islam is still the religion of 98 percent of Moroccans.

During this medieval era, all of the lands in North Africa, west of Egypt, were known as the Maghreb.

After the Berbers rebelled against the Arabs, Morocco was separated into small, but powerful city-states. Some of these city-states were populated with Arabs and others were populated with native Berbers. These urban centers relied on advanced techniques of transporting water from the desert. The economy of these cities relied on trade networks from cities across the Sahara. Some of these cities include Fez, Tangiers, Sigilmassa, and Aghmate.

Native Berber Empires were the first governments that were able to effectively administrate over all of Morocco. These empires brought the Maghreb into a new era of maturity as an economic, religious, militaristic, and educational hegemon.

The first of these empires was the Almoravid Dynasty. The Almoravids were extremely religious zealots who were able conquer all of Morocco, Southern Spain, parts of Algeria, and the Western Sahara. Although the Almoravids did not live a spartan lifestyle, they were not too keen on extravagance and luxury. Despite this, they were very successful administrators and ran a society that was much more advanced than any in Europe. Their capital, Marrakesh, is still a place of cultural identity for Moroccans.

Not all Berbers would succumb to their influence, however. In medieval times, most Moroccan cities would be surrounded by tall city walls and strong city gates. Trade routes would be protected by Kasbahs, (forts) that would help to quell raids from rebel Berber groups.

One of these rebel groups were called the Almohads. They originated from the Atlas mountains, a region which the Almoravids had lots of trouble keeping control over. The Almohads controlled the route between Marrakesh, which is north of the Atlas Mountains, and the ancient city of Sigilmassa, which was south of the Atlas Mountains. Sigilmassa was the key to having access to the immense amounts of gold, spices, and incense from the Sahara Desert.

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The Almohads laid seige to the capital of Marrakesh in 1130, and successfully gained control of Morocco shortly after.

Later on, the Almohads would control even more territory than their predecessors. They would control larger parts of Spain and Portugal, all of Morocco, and the entirety of North Africa to the borders of Egypt.

The Almohads were even more scholarly, militaristic, and economically powerful than the Almohads, but in addition to this, they were more liberal and lavish regime. Foreign scholars, whether they be Christian or Jewish or Muslim, would flock to Moroccan cities to study. Although Hammams (public bathhouses) had existed in the Maghreb since ancient times, The Hammams of the Almohads were especially luxurious. The comfort of this society was known worldwide. In fact, in Spanish the word "Almohada" means "pillow".

Eventually, rival Berber tribes would challenge the Almohads, and due to shrinking tax revenues, the Almohads became less and less able to keep control of the empire. A famine later came, that killed over 2 million people.

After this, many Arabian dynasties controlled Morocco. Their rulers claimed to be descended from the Prophet Mohammed himself. Slowly, they rebuilt the prestige of Morocco by winning regional conflicts. The last of these dynasties, the Alaouites still rule Morocco to this day.

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Between the 1800's and early 1900's, Morocco became a coveted territory for foreign colonization. The French and Spaniards both laid claim to the Maghreb. Because of this, Morocco became a pawn in the time leading up to World War I.

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Eventually, the King of Morocco was able to wrest sovereignty away from the Europeans and became the sole ruler of Morocco. During an era of global democratization, rule by a monarchy has been difficult, however Morocco has been able to merge tradition with the values of a new generation. Morocco is an emerging market economy and is now one of the most prominent economies in Africa. The King's powers are limited (as long as he restrains himself) by a national Constitution. As an Islamic nation, Moroccans are now proud to say that they have rejected the extremism and torrential violence that has plagued the rest of the Middle-East.

Features of Al Medina:

Populated: Local sims have been given traits that will reflect the customs listed above.

Three Cities, One Region: Al Medina is the name of the region, but there are three different districts within it.

Amazigh Village: A large, vertical village that is reachable by following a trail across the sand dunes. The buildings of this district are tall and made of stone, which has been washed in a rose-colored paint. In this area, you will find an immense market known as the Troubadour Souq. The Souq hosts street performers, many merchants, a teashop, and an Inn for travellers from outside the area. In the Amazigh Village you will also find Abrika and Manssori's Import Shop, which features a consignment store and music shop. Central to local life is the Red Hammam. The Red Hammam is a tall building in which your sims can luxuriate by swimming, taking a bath, resting in a sauna, and much more! At the top, celebrity sims will be able to take advantage of a private Master Suite. The Amazigh Village is perfect for weekend getaways.

How to get to Amazigh Village:

-(Scenic, but extremely slow) Take the Casablanca Expressway to the rest area at the edge of the Sand dunes, and walk along the dune trail,

OR

-(Faster, but you still might want to plan a visit to an Inn) Go to the Foreign Quarter Train Station and use the railway. You will emerge in the Troubadour Souq. You may find that you want to spend the next night at the Inn in the Troubadour Souq, at the loft upstairs in the Import Shop, or if possible, in the Suite at the top of the Hammam.

There are alternative ways into the Amazigh Village, but these are secret and have been lost from memory. With a little bit of exploration, you may find these routes!



Central District: This urban center provides sims with the basics of life, such as school, and many places of work. That being said, it is not devoid of culture. Have your sims visit the Orchid Lounge for a quick drink, or listen to a piano player at Rick's Cafe Americain. While you're at it, enjoy the beauty of the Majorelle Garden or browse through the tall Lonely Camel Market. Overlooking the Central District is the Royal Palace, Mosque, Minaret, and House of Government.

How to get to the Central District: The Central District is connected to the other two districts by the Casablanca Expressway.



Foreign Quarter: This coastal town is sprawling with foreign sims that have come to enjoy Morocco. If you are not able to afford a vacation home in this area, then you may always have a stay at one of the rooms in the Hotel Excelsior. This district features a Train Station, a clean and sandy beach, a piano bar, a Tea House, an Opera House, a Gymnasium, and a pool club. In addition you will also find the business tower and a Spa. This area is the perfect starting point for your adventures through Al Medina.

How to get to the Foreign Quarter: The foreign Quarter is connected to the Amazigh Village by train, and to the Central District by the Casablanca Expressway.

Special Player Challenges for Al Medina, Morocco:


Moroccan Legacy Challenge: All of the same rules as the normal Legacy Challenge, however you must choose the 60x60 lot that is in front of the Amazigh Village. Your lack of direct road connection will add difficulty to the challenge, and you will probably have to survive by scavenging, farming, or buying additional properties in other areas.

Berber Farmer:

Rules:

-You must buy the "Dead Grove" lot in front of the Amazigh Village.
-You must start with one sim, marry a local, and live in the Dead Grove house.
-You must farm the land until you have made 100,000 Simoleans simply by farming. the costs of adding furniture or building on your lot are counted against your score. Simply put, you may only farm for a living, until your houshold funds are 100,000.
-You must have at least five children, and at least three horses. BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION!! You may have to buy a separate house closer to the school so that they do not have to travel so far. If this is not possible, then you may want to consider Boarding School
-You must have level 10 Equestrian Skill, and level 10 Gardening skill.
-You may only sell your fruits in one of the Amazigh Village markets, or in the consignment store.

Aventures à travers le Maroc

Rules:

-Start with either one or two Sims as your household
-Choose a home in the foreign quarter. You may not start with more than 20,000 simoleans.
-Fully explore the Three Tombs in Al Medina (not including the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou)
-Own a residential property in the Foreign Quarter, (not the one you started with), as well as one in the Central District and Amazigh Village.
-Own a one business property in the Foreign Quarter, one in the Amazigh Village, and one in the Central District.
-The properties that you buy are completely your own choice, except empty lots. If you choose an empty lot, you must build a functional home or business on it that is worth at least 40,000 simoleans.

Royal Rampage:

-Play as the Royal Family, and amass a family of eight sims. Your household funds must double the value of the palace.
-Become the full owner of every ownable rabbithole in Al Medina
-Each of your Children must have at least three mastered skills.

Known issues:

Chaibi family has a chance of spawning with horses on patio.

Library only gives non-skill books




EA issues:

If game is loaded during business hours of a bar, then the mixologist won't appear.

Some doors cause sims to spin when sims pass through. This does not affect gameplay.

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