(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Bou Inania Mosque in Fez Medina. Photo by Morocco World News Rabat – Appreciation of Morocco's collection of intangible cultural heritage is steadily growing.

The country is home to an impressive 16,000 historic sites, Minister of Culture and Cooperation, Mohamed Laaraj, said Tuesday in Rabat.

Morocco's cultural heritage is spread across all regions of the Kingdom, said the minister.

Recently, eight new sites located in the cities of Oujda, Tangier, Youssoufia and Nador have been listed as national historic monument sites that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The minister said that his department has been conducting several studies and surveys in order to better identify and promote the country's cultural heritage.

Through careful restoration of these historical sites, and by setting up several cultural partnerships with local associations, the ministry is planning to make these archaeological sites more open to public viewing.

More than 20 annual festivals are organized across different regions of the Kingdom, with the aim of incrinching the cultural scene of Morocco.

With the support of civil society organizations, these numerous cultural events and historic sites will likely encourage even more national and international tourism.

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