Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, stands as a sovereign nation in North Africa’s Maghreb region, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Algeria, and Western Sahara. The country spans approximately 446,300 square kilometers with a population of 37 million people.
Geographic Identity
The nation’s unique position gives it both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, making it one of only three countries with this distinction. The majestic Atlas Mountains run through the country’s center, while the Rif Mountains dominate the north. These mountain ranges create diverse climate zones, from Mediterranean coastal areas to alpine regions capable of supporting ski resorts.
Cultural Heritage
Language and Religion
Islam serves as both the official and predominant religion, while Arabic and Berber stand as official languages[1]. The cultural fabric weaves together Arab, Berber, African, and European influences, creating a rich tapestry of traditions. French remains widely spoken, reflecting the country’s colonial history.
Historical Evolution
Ancient Roots
Human presence in Morocco dates back 315,000 years, evidenced by Homo sapiens fossils discovered near the Atlantic coast at Jebel Irhoud[1]. The region transformed from fertile savanna during the Upper Paleolithic to its current semi-arid landscape.
Dynasty Formation
The Idrisid dynasty, established in 788 by Idris I, marked Morocco’s emergence as an independent Muslim state[1]. Under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, Morocco reached its golden age, controlling most of the Iberian peninsula and the Maghreb[1].
Modern Governance
Morocco functions as a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy. The current system balances traditional authority with modern democratic institutions:
- The King serves as both secular leader and “Commander of the Faithful”
- A bicameral legislature handles legislative affairs
- The Prime Minister leads the government
- An independent judiciary oversees legal matters
International Relations
The country holds significant influence in both Africa and the Arab world. Morocco rejoined the African Union in 2017 after a 33-year absence. The nation maintains strong economic ties with France and Spain, while developing partnerships across the Persian Gulf and Maghreb regions[1].
Environmental Challenges
Morocco faces significant climate change impacts. The country ranks second globally in climate change preparedness, demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection. The landscape supports diverse ecosystems, from Mediterranean forests to Saharan oases, hosting unique species like the endangered Barbary macaque[1].
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to the east, and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the south. Morocco also claims the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta, Melilla and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, and several small Spanish-controlled islands off its coast. It has a population of approximately 37 million. Islam is both the official and predominant religion, while Arabic and Berber are the official languages. Additionally, French and the Moroccan dialect of Arabic are widely spoken. The culture of Morocco is a mix of Arab, Berber, African and European cultures. Its capital is Rabat, while its largest city is Casablanca.
Kingdom of Morocco | |
|---|---|
| Motto: ٱللَّٰه، ٱلْوَطَن، ٱلْمَلِك "Allāh, al-Waṭan, al-Malik" "God, Country, King" | |
| Anthem: ٱلنَّشِيْد ٱلْوَطَنِي "an-Našīd al-Waṭanīy" "Cherifian Anthem" | |
.svg) Location of Morocco in northwest Africa Undisputed territory of Morocco | |
| Capital | Rabat 34°02′N 6°51′W / 34.033°N 6.850°W |
| Largest city | Casablanca 33°32′N 7°35′W / 33.533°N 7.583°W |
| Official languages | |
| Spoken languages (2014) |
|
| Foreign languages | |
| Ethnic groups | See Ethnic groups |
| Religion (2020) | |
| Demonym(s) | Moroccan |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy |
• King | Mohammed VI |
| Aziz Akhannouch | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| House of Councillors | |
| House of Representatives | |
| Establishment | |
| 788 | |
• 'Alawi dynasty (current dynasty) | 1631 |
| 30 March 1912 | |
| 7 April 1956 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi) (57th) |
• Water (%) | 0.056 (250 km2) |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 37,493,183 (38th) |
• 2024 census | 36,828,330 |
• Density | 79.0/km2 (204.6/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $396.685 billion (56th) |
• Per capita | $10,615 (120th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $157.087 billion (61st) |
• Per capita | $4,203 (124th) |
| Gini (2015) | 40.3 medium inequality |
| HDI (2022) | 0.698 medium (120th) |
| Currency | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Time zone | UTC
|
| Drives on | right |
| Calling code | +212 |
| ISO 3166 code | MA |
| Internet TLD | |
The region constituting Morocco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era over 300,000 years ago. The Idrisid dynasty was established by Idris I in 788 and Morocco was subsequently ruled by a series of other independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as a regional power in the 11th and 12th centuries, under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, when it controlled most of the Iberian peninsula and the Maghreb. Centuries of Arab migration to the Maghreb since the 7th century shifted the demographic scope of the region. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, with Portugal seizing some territory and the Ottoman Empire encroaching from the east. The Marinid and Saadi dynasties otherwise resisted foreign domination, and Morocco was the only North African nation to escape Ottoman dominion. The 'Alawi dynasty, which rules the country to this day, seized power in 1631, and over the next two centuries expanded diplomatic and commercial relations with the Western world. Morocco's strategic location near the mouth of the Mediterranean drew renewed European interest; in 1912, France and Spain divided the country into respective protectorates, reserving an international zone in Tangier. Following intermittent riots and revolts against colonial rule, in 1956, Morocco regained its independence and reunified.
Since independence, Morocco has remained relatively stable. It has the fifth-largest economy in Africa and wields significant influence in both Africa and the Arab world; it is considered a middle power in global affairs and holds membership in the Arab League, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the African Union. Morocco is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The executive branch is led by the King of Morocco and the prime minister, while legislative power is vested in the two chambers of parliament: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Judicial power rests with the Constitutional Court, which may review the validity of laws, elections, and referendums. The king holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs; he can issue decrees called dahirs, which have the force of law, and can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the prime minister and the president of the constitutional court.
Morocco claims ownership of the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, which it has designated its Southern Provinces. In 1975, after Spain agreed to decolonise the territory and cede its control to Morocco and Mauritania, a guerrilla war broke out between those powers and some of the local inhabitants. In 1979, Mauritania relinquished its claim to the area, but the war continued to rage. In 1991, a ceasefire agreement was reached, but the issue of sovereignty remained unresolved. Today, Morocco occupies two-thirds of the territory, and efforts to resolve the dispute have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.
English
Etymology
From the country name of Morocco, from which this leather was originally imported. Compare maroquin.
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