Confiscation of maps.

[paul nicholls]

Not entirely sure as to why but, at the Tangier border, the border guards were confiscating peoples paper maps.
So, if they ask you say no, no maps.
On the plus side, getting through was easy. On my last two visits I went through Cueta which was a real pain.
Tangier was the complete opposite. One guy took V5 and passports, 10 mins later all done and dusted and on our way.

 

[Pepsi]

How bizarre, I wonder why they’re taking the maps

 

[oblertone]

They probably haven't got any of their own

 

[The Other PaulG]

How bizarre, I wonder why they’re taking the maps

Mauritania paranoia, I'd imagine. Or Algeria?

 

[LOLGEOFF]

Not entirely sure as to why but, at the Tangier border, the border guards were confiscating peoples paper maps.
So, if they ask you say no, no maps.

From what I've noticed whilst watching TV programmes about Border Control from around the world it's best to tell them the truth, they all seem to take exception if you try to pull the wool over their eyes.

 

[dommiek]

The Western Sahara is a sensitive area. Officially, it's still disputed territory with claims from Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria but the Moroccans don't see it that way. They regard it as Morocco so if anyone official asks to see your map either say you don't have one or expect to be asked to surrender it.

 

[Wapping]

As every man and his dog, has a smart phone (capable of carrying more maps than you can shake a stick at) this would seem to revolve around nothing more than a local remedy for a lack of toilet paper.

 

[Arsey]

As every man and his dog, has a smart phone (capable of carrying more maps than you can shake a stick at) this would seem to revolve around nothing more than a local remedy for a lack of toilet paper.

The latest iBone 15 is the dogs

 

[StorminNorm]

The took my map at the border with Ceuta a few weeks ago. As dommiek said above, it's all to do with Western Sahara they don't want you going down there as it's disputed territory. The border guard told me the area near the border with Western Sahara was prohibited so if my map only went down say as far as Agadir or Tiznit I would probably have got away with it. The only other thing they were interested in was if we had any drones.

 

[Pepsi]

The took my map at the border with Ceuta a few weeks ago. As dommiek said above, it's all to do with Western Sahara they don't want you going down there as it's disputed territory. The border guard told me the area near the border with Western Sahara was prohibited so if my map only went down say as far as Agadir or Tiznit I would probably have got away with it. The only other thing they were interested in was if we had any drones.

Drones are a big No, No in that neck of the woods, apparently all to do with national security or something.

 

[dommiek]

The took my map at the border with Ceuta a few weeks ago. As dommiek said above, it's all to do with Western Sahara they don't want you going down there as it's disputed territory. The border guard told me the area near the border with Western Sahara was prohibited so if my map only went down say as far as Agadir or Tiznit I would probably have got away with it. The only other thing they were interested in was if we had any drones.

My understanding is that tourists are welcomed in Western Sahara., by all means go there, just don't call it W.S.

There's incentives for Moroccans to relocate and settle there, i.e. no tax on fuel, so in the event of a referendum it goes in their favour having a bigger percentage of their population living there. It helps with their claim for it to be recognised internationally as their country.
Having paper maps around with 'Western Sahara' in bold letters is something they want to move on from.

 

[Two wheels good]

A while back I read somewhere that maps with the term "Western Sahara" and showing the region as separate/distinct weren't acceptable.
It seemed to be the action of a zealous border guard. Sounds like it's become an offical policy.

 

[Simon_100]

Ancient history now but back in about 1993 we toured WS - in a Renault 4! - and were stopped at checkpoints lots of times, pretty much at every town, after closely examining our passports, etc. all of the guards carefully composed themselves to attention and recited with great care, "Welcome to Morocco" !

 

[Tim Cullis]

@Two wheels good is correct. Maps are confiscated if they don't include Western Sahara, or if they imply that Western Sahara is a separate territory to the rest of Morocco. As far as Morocco is concerned, Western Sahara doesn't exist as a separate entity, it is known by the Moroccan authorities as the 'Southern Provinces'. So if asked about maps, the simplest solution is to say you don't have one, and perhaps ask where you can buy one.

Once in Morocco there are no restrictions on entering the 'Southern Provinces' provided you keep away from the defensive sand berms in the east of the region which are inhabited by the military.

 

[Pepsi]

@Two Wheels Good is correct. Maps are confiscated if they don't include Western Sahara, or if they imply that Western Sahara is a separate territory to the rest of Morocco. As far as Morocco is concerned, Western Sahara doesn't exist as a separate entity, it is known by the Moroccan authorities as the 'Southern Provinces'. So if asked about maps, the simplest solution is to say you don't have one, and perhaps ask where you can buy one.

Once in Morocco there are no restrictions on entering the 'Southern Provinces' provided you keep away from the defensive sand berms in the east of the region which are inhabited by the military.

Did you mean to say maps are confiscated if they do include Western Sahara?

 

[Santa-2512]

When we we leaving Tunisia, they bloke in front of us was arguing the toss over currency ,

Apparently it's a closed economy and you cant take money out... this bloke was having non of it, to the point two very large policemen with F*ck off huge Glocks in holsters hauled him off to some little room

The guy asked us if we had any currency we were taking out .. we had the odd coins and small notes on the counter in record time


He just looked at us and laughed , "Ah souvenirs" , he said , no worries

 

[brut33]

From what I've noticed whilst watching TV programmes about Border Control from around the world it's best to tell them the truth, they all seem to take exception if you try to pull the wool over their eyes.

Except in Dover.

 

[dean0n0]

Except in Dover.

The fuckers worm their way in here at every available opportunity.