About Morocco

Ancient times and prehistory:
Since at least the Paleolithic period, which began between 190,000 and 90,000 BC, people have lived in the region that is now Morocco. According to a recent article, there is evidence for even older human settlement of the region: Homo sapiens bones that were found in Jebel Irhoud, close to the Atlantic coast, in the late 2000s have recently been dated to about 315,000 years ago. The Maghreb was more fruitful than it is now, resembling a savanna, as opposed to its present desert topography, during the Upper Paleolithic.The Iberomaurusian civilization replaced the earlier Aterian culture twenty two thousand years ago, and it was comparable to Iberian cultures. Human bones discovered in Iberomaurusian “Mechta-Afalou” burial sites have been compared skeletally to those from European Cro-Magnon sites. In Morocco, the Beaker civilization replaced the Iberomaurusian civilisation.Studies on mitochondrial DNA have revealed a close ancestry between the Saami of Scandinavia and the Berbers. This data lends credence to the hypothesis that some of the peoples who had been residing in the Franco-Cantabrian refuge region of southern Europe during the late glacial era moved to northern Europe and helped populate it after the previous ice age.The Phoenicians gradually drew Northwest Africa and Morocco into the larger, developing Mediterranean world during the early Classical Antiquity period by establishing commercial colonies and towns there, the most significant of which were Chellah, Lixus, and Mogador. As early as the sixth century BC, the Phoenicians founded a colony in Mogador.Later, Morocco joined the Carthaginian empire and was a region of the ancient Carthaginian civilization in Northwest Africa. The Berber kingdom of Mauretania, ruled by King Baga, was the first known autonomous Moroccan state. This ancient kingdom was prosperous circa 225 BC or before (not to be confused with the contemporary state of Mauritania).

In 33 BC, Mauretania joined the Roman Empire’s client kingdoms. In 44 AD, Emperor Claudius directly conquered Mauretania, establishing it as a Roman province under the control of an imperial governor (either a procurator Augusti, or a legatus Augusti pro praetore). During the so-called “crisis of the third century,” Berber tribes retook control of several areas of Mauretania. As a result, by the late third century, only a few coastal cities, like Septum (Ceuta) in Mauretania Tingitana and Cherchell in Mauretania Caesariensis, remained under direct Roman administration.

The Roman Empire lost its final holdings in Mauretania after the region was destroyed by the Vandals in 429 AD, and local Mauro-Roman monarchs took control of them. Under Byzantine domination, the Eastern Roman Empire restored direct imperial sovereignty over Septum and Tingi in the 530s, reinforced Tingis, and built a church.

Islamic era’s founding and early years:
The Umayyad Caliphate succeeded in completing the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb, which had begun in the middle of the 7th century. It introduced Islam and the Arabic language to the region. Despite being a part of the wider Islamic Empire, Ifriqiya’s subsidiary province of Morocco was first governed by local governors who were chosen by Kairouan’s Muslim ruler.

Although the native Berber tribes converted to Islam, they kept their traditional rules. They also contributed to the nascent Muslim government with taxes and tribute. The Kingdom of Nekor, an emirate in the Rif Mountains, was the first sovereign Muslim kingdom in what is now modern-day Morocco. Salih I ibn Mansur created it in 710 as a vassal kingdom of the Umayyad Caliphate. The Berbers established further autonomous nations when the Berber Revolt began in 739, including the Miknasa of Sijilmasa and the Barghawata.

According to a narrative from the Middle Ages, Idris ibn Abdallah escaped to Morocco after his clan in Iraq was massacred by the Abbasids. In 788, he established the Idrisid dynasty by persuading the Awraba Berber tribes to abandon their ties to the distant Abbasid caliphs in Baghdad. Morocco developed as a prominent regional power and a center of Islamic scholarship after the Idrisids made Fes the capital. The Fatimid Caliphate and their Miknasa allies drove out the Idrisids in 927. The Fatimids were overthrown by the Maghrawa of Sijilmasa in 980 after Miknasa severed ties with them in 932.

Kingdoms and dynasties of the Berbers:
A number of Berber dynasties emerged starting in the 11th century. Morocco ruled the Maghreb, al-Andalus in Iberia, and the western Mediterranean during the Sanhaja Almoravid and Masmuda Almohad dynasties. The land had a significant influx of the Banu Hilal Arab tribes beginning in the 13th century. The Zenata Berber Marinids, who controlled Morocco in the 13th and 14th centuries, waged war in Algeria and Spain in an effort to emulate the Almohads’ achievements. The Wattasids went after them. After the Reconquista ended Muslim dominance in Iberia in the fifteenth century, many Muslims and Jews migrated to Morocco. Portuguese attempts to dominate the Atlantic sea commerce in the 15th century had little impact on the interior of Morocco, despite their success in gaining control of a few territories along the country’s coast.

Earliest modern era:
The territory was conquered by consecutive Arab dynasties in 1549, the first of which was the Sharifian Saadi dynasty, which lasted from 1549 to 1659, and the second of which was the Alaouite dynasty, which has remained in power since the 17th century. Spain and its allies in the Ottoman Empire, who were moving west, attacked Morocco.

At the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in 1578, the Saadi dynasty brought an end to the Portuguese Aviz dynasty. Ahmad al-rule Mansur’s brought the Sultanate unprecedented riches and prestige, and in 1591, a sizable expedition to West Africa handed the Songhay Empire a humiliating defeat. But it was too difficult to control the regions over the Sahara. Morocco was partitioned among al-sons Mansur’s upon his passing.

Morocco was eventually unified by the ‘Alawi sultan al-Rashid in the late 1660s after a period of political fragmentation and strife after the fall of the Saadi dynasty. He captured Fez in 1666 and Marrakesh in 1668. Although the kingdom was smaller than earlier ones in the region, the ‘Alawis were successful in stabilizing their position, and it continued to be fairly prosperous. Ismail Ibn Sharif (1672–1727) started to establish a cohesive empire against resistance from regional tribes. He expelled the Spanish from Larache in 1689 and used his Riffian Army to retake Tangier from the English who had left it in 1684. In 1769, the Portuguese gave up control of Mazago, their final possession in Morocco. However, in 1775, the Spanish were victorious at the Siege of Melilla.

In 1777, Morocco became the first country to recognize the fledgling United States as a sovereign state. At the start of the American Revolution, Barbary pirates attacked American commerce ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Sultan Mohammed III of Morocco said on December 20 that American trade ships would be protected by the sultanate and may travel without risk. The oldest continuously in force friendship agreement in the United States is the 1786 Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship.

Protectorates ruled by France and Spain from 1912 until 1956:
Northwest Africa gained more value as Europe became more industrialized due to its potential for colonization. In addition to wanting to secure its border with Algeria, France was very interested in Morocco in the 1830s due to its strategic location with access to both the Mediterranean and the wide Atlantic. Spain declared war in 1860 as a result of a disagreement on the Ceuta enclave. The treaty included an expanded Ceuta and a new enclave for the victorious Spain. Spain established a protectorate in Morocco’s coastal regions in 1884.

France and Spain established spheres of influence in Morocco in 1904. The German Empire reacted strongly to the United Kingdom’s recognition of France’s area of influence, and a crisis loomed in 1905. The Algeciras Conference in 1906 saw a resolution to the issue. The 1911 Agadir Crisis heightened hostilities between European nations. The Fez Riots of 1912 were brought on by the 1912 Treaty of Fez, which declared Morocco a protectorate of France. Spain kept running its protectorate down the coast. Spain was granted protection authority over the northern coastline and southern Saharan zones by the same treaty.

Colonists arrived in large numbers in Morocco. Some organized the exploitation and modernization of mines and harbors, while others purchased substantial quantities of fertile agricultural land. Interest groups that developed among these components kept France under constant pressure to strengthen its authority over Morocco, which was also required due to ongoing conflicts amongst Moroccan tribes, some of which had sided with France since the start of the invasion.

Governor General Marshal Hubert Lyautey, a French colonial administrator who really respected Moroccan culture, was successful in imposing a mixed Moroccan-French government and establishing a cutting-edge educational system. In both World Wars I and II, the French army had many divisions of Moroccan soldiers (Goumiers or regular troops and commanders), as did the Spanish Nationalist Army during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter (Regulares). In 1925, the practice of slavery was outlawed.

The Republic of the Rif was founded as a result of a Berber revolt in the Rif Mountains between 1921 and 1926, which was headed by Abd el-Krim. In the months of July and August 1921, the Spanish lost about 13,000 men at Annual. French and Spanish forces finally put an end to the insurrection. With covert US assistance, the Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) was established in 1943 to advance independence. Later, the majority of the nationalist movement’s leadership came from that party.

Active resistance to the French and Spanish protectorates was triggered by France’s 1953 deportation of Sultan Mohammed V to Madagascar and his replacement by the unpopular Mohammed Ben Aarafa. In Oujda, where Moroccans attacked French and other European inhabitants in the streets, the most prominent violence took place. In 1955, France let Mohammed V to return, and the following year, discussions for Moroccan independence started. The French protectorate ended in March 1956, marking Morocco’s return to independence under the name “Kingdom of Morocco.” The two coastal enclaves (Ceuta and Melilla) on the Mediterranean coast, which date from previous invasions but over which Morocco still claims sovereignty today, were retained by Spain after it abandoned its protectorate in Northern Morocco to the new state a month later. In 1957, Sultan Mohammed was crowned king.

Morocco’s independence:
On March 3, 1961, Hassan II succeeded Mohammed V as ruler of Morocco. In 1963, Morocco held its first national elections. But in 1965, Hassan proclaimed a state of emergency and shut down the legislature. A unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the king and establish a republic occurred in 1971. Nearly 10,000 incidents, ranging from death in custody to forced exile, were validated by a truth commission established in 2005 to examine human rights violations committed under his rule. According to the truth commission, Hassan’s authority resulted in the deaths of 592 individuals.

In 1969, Morocco reclaimed the southern Spanish outpost of Ifni. In order to create a sovereign state in the Spanish Sahara, the Polisario movement was founded in 1973. King Hassan requested volunteers to enter the Spanish Sahara on November 6, 1975. The “Green March” reportedly involved about 350,000 citizens. A month later, despite Algeria’s protests and threats of military involvement, Spain decided to withdraw from the Spanish Sahara, which would soon become the Western Sahara, and to hand it up to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian sovereignty. The area was seized by Moroccan military.

Western Sahara quickly saw fighting between Moroccan and Algerian forces. Western Sahara was partitioned between Mauritania and Morocco. For many years, the Moroccan military and the Polisario troops engaged in combat. Morocco suffered a severe economic cost as a result of the protracted conflict. Amid political instability and an economic crisis in 1983, Hassan called off the elections. In protest at the SADR’s admittance to the Organization of African Unity, Morocco quit the organization in 1984. Between 1982 and 1985, according to Polisario, more than 5,000 Moroccan troops were slain.

Authorities in Algeria believe that there are 165,000 Sahrawi refugees living there. In 1988, diplomatic ties with Algeria were restored. A UN-monitored truce in Western Sahara started in 1991, although the status of the area is still up in the air, and there have been reports of ceasefire violations. The proposed vote on the future of the territory was the subject of much debate in the decade that followed, but little progress was made. A bicameral legislature was established in 1997 as a result of political reforms made in the 1990s, and the first opposition-led government in Morocco took office in 1998. Casablanca protesters demand that the government keep its word about political change. After the death of King Hassan II in 1999, his son Mohammed VI became the next monarch. He has enacted modest economic and social liberalization and is a cautious modernizer.

In 2002, Mohammed VI made a contentious trip to the Western Sahara. In 2007, Morocco presented the UN with a plan for Western Sahara’s autonomy. The Polisario rejected the idea and created a another one. UN-sponsored negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front in New York City ended in failure. Security personnel broke into a protest camp in the Western Sahara in 2010, setting off violent protests in the region’s capital, El Aain.

Regarding the disputed island of Perejil, Morocco and Spain accepted a compromise mediated by the US in 2002. The typically deserted island was captured by Spanish troops after Moroccan soldiers landed there and erected tents and a flag. As hundreds of African migrants attempted to breach the frontiers of the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in 2005, tensions flared out once more. Hundreds of the illegal immigrants were deported from Morocco. Spanish Premier Zapatero traveled to Spanish enclaves in 2006. He made the territories his formal home for the first time in 25 years as the head of state of Spain. The next year, Moroccan demands for sovereignty of the enclaves were exacerbated when Spanish King Juan Carlos I paid visits to Melilla and Ceuta.

Thousands of people protested in Rabat and other Moroccan towns in 2011–2012, demanding political reform and a new constitution that would limit the king’s authority. In a vote on a revised constitution he had offered to quell the Arab Spring demonstrations, the King triumphed handily in July 2011. Demonstrators persisted in demanding even more extensive reforms notwithstanding Mohammed VI’s concessions. A union rally with hundreds of attendees took place in Casablanca in May 2012. The administration was criticized by participants of neglecting to implement changes.

Morocco’s Atlantic Ocean coastline extends into the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar. Western Sahara borders it on the south, Algeria on the east, and Spain on the north (through the Strait and three minor exclaves under Spanish authority, Ceuta, Melilla, and Peón de Vélez de la Gomera). Morocco’s de facto southern border is with Mauritania because it governs the majority of Western Sahara.

The country’s internationally recognized borders are located between longitudes 1° and 14°W and latitudes 27° and 36°N. Morocco is largely located between 21° and 36°N and 1° and 17°W, including the Western Sahara (the Ras Nouadhibou peninsula is a little south of 21° and a little west of 17°).

Morocco’s geographical diversity includes the Sahara desert, mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean. Between Algeria and the occupied Western Sahara, Morocco is a country in Northern Africa that borders the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Along with Spain and France, it is one of only three countries possessing both Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.

Morocco has a lot of hilly terrain. The majority of the country’s Atlas Mountains are found in the south and the center. The country’s northern region is home to the Rif Mountains. The Berber people mostly occupy both ranges. Morocco, excluding Western Sahara, is the world’s fifty-seventh-largest country with 446,550 km2 (172,414 sq mi). Morocco and Algeria share a border to the east and southeast, although this border has been closed since 1994.

Five enclaves on the Mediterranean coast make up the Spanish territory in Northwest Africa bordering Morocco: Ceuta, Melilla, Peón de Vélez de la Gomera, Peón de Alhucemas, the Chafarinas islands, and the contentious islet Perejil. Spain owns the Canary Islands off the coast of the Atlantic, while Portugal owns Madeira to the north. The Strait of Gibraltar, which allows unhindered transportation between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, borders Morocco’s northern border.

From the north-west to the north-east, the Rif mountains cover the area surrounding the Mediterranean. From the northeast to the southwest, the Atlas Mountains form the spine of Morocco. Because the majority of the southeast of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert, it is often sparsely inhabited and economically unproductive. The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that Morocco acquired in 1975, is to the south of these mountains, where the majority of the people resides (see Green March). Morocco refers to the Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces and asserts that it is a part of its territory. Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, is also its principal port city. Rabat is the country’s capital. In the 2014 Moroccan census, Tangier, Fes, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Salé all had populations exceeding 500,000. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 geographical encoding standard uses the symbol MA to denote Morocco. This code served as the foundation for the.ma internet domain for Morocco.

One of the most significant areas of the Moroccan economy is tourism. It has a well-established tourism economy that is centered on the country’s coast, culture, and history. More than 13 million visitors visited Morocco in 2019. The phosphate industry generates the most foreign currency in Morocco, followed by the tourism sector. The Moroccan government is making significant investments in the growth of the tourism industry. In 2010, the government unveiled its Vision 2020 plan, which aims to make Morocco one of the top 30 travel destinations in the world and double the number of annual international arrivals to 20 million by 2020, with the goal of increasing tourism’s contribution to GDP to 20%.

Large-scale, government-sponsored marketing initiatives aimed at luring visitors promoted Morocco as an inexpensive, exotic, and secure destination. The majority of tourists to Morocco are still from Europe, with French citizens accounting for over 20% of all travelers. Between April and August, most Europeans travel there. Morocco’s proximity to Europe and the popularity of its beaches have contributed to the country’s comparatively large tourist influx. Tourists from southern Spain’s coastal regions frequently go on a short Morocco tour and Sahara desert trips for one to three days due to the country’s close proximity to Spain.

Many Algerians have traveled to Morocco for shopping and to see family and friends since since flight connections between the two countries were introduced. Because of the depreciation of the dirham and the rise in accommodation rates in Spain, Morocco is still comparatively affordable. Morocco boasts a first-rate rail and road network connecting its major cities, tourist hotspots, ports, and cities with international airports. Cheap flights are available from low-cost carriers to the nation.

Morocco’s culture, including its historic towns, is gaining more attention from tourists. Moroccan historical Berber, Roman, and Islamic landmarks, as well as the country’s scenery and cultural past, are all utilized by the current tourism sector. 60% of tourists visiting Morocco come for the country’s heritage and culture. A third of all Moroccan bed nights are spent in Agadir, a significant beach resort. The Atlas Mountains may be visited from here on excursions. There are several other attractive resorts in northern Morocco.

The main cruise port in Morocco is at Casablanca, which also boasts the country’s most established tourism industry. Although Marrakech in central Morocco is a well-liked tourist destination, one- and two-day tours that give visitors a sense of Moroccan history and culture are more popular there. A well-liked tourist destination in Marrakech is the Majorelle botanical garden. In 1980, Pierre Bergé and fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent purchased it. They contributed to the city’s increased visibility as a tourist attraction.

The fastest-growing segment of Moroccan tourism as of 2006 was activity and adventure tourism in the Atlas and Rif Mountains. From late March to mid-November, these places provide fantastic chances for walking and trekking. The government is making investments in hiking trails. In an effort to compete with Tunisia, they are also promoting desert tourism.

According to the 2014 Democracy Index, Morocco has an authoritarian government. It received the label “Not Free” in the 2014 Freedom of the Press report. This has changed, though, and Morocco has been classified by the Democracy Index as a “hybrid regime” since 2015. The Freedom of the Press report from 2017 found that the press in Morocco was still “not free,” but it gave “partly free” ratings for its “Net Freedom” and “Freedom in the World” more broadly.

Following the elections in March 1998, a coalition government led by Abderrahmane Youssoufi, the socialist leader of the opposition, and mostly made up of ministers from opposition parties was created. Up until October 2002, the coalition of socialist, left-of-center, and nationalist parties had no opportunity to join a government; Prime Minister Youssoufi’s was the first ever to be made up largely of opposition parties. Additionally, it marked the first time in the Arab world’s contemporary political history that the opposition came to power after a vote.

The Moroccan Constitution establishes a monarchy with a parliament and a separate judicial system. The Moroccan King now has less executive powers thanks to the 2011 constitutional changes, while the prime minister’s have increased. The king is both the secular political head of state and the “Commander of the Faithful” since he is a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, according to the constitution. He also has other rights. He oversees the Council of Ministers, selects the Prime Minister from the party that gained the most seats in the legislative elections, and names the members of the cabinet based on their recommendations.

The 1996 constitution theoretically gave the monarch the authority to dismiss any minister and, after consulting with the leaders of the upper and lower Assemblies, dissolve the Parliament, suspend the law, hold new elections, or impose a dictatorship. This only occurred once, in 1965. Traditionally, the King has served as the military’s top commander.

Congressional branch:
Since the 1996 constitutional revision, there are now two chambers in the bicameral legislature. 325 people were elected to the Moroccan Assembly of Representatives (Majlis an-Nuwwâb/Assemblée des Répresentants) for a five-year term, including 295 in multi-seat constituencies and 30 on national lists made up entirely of women. The 270 members of the Assembly of Councillors (Majlis al-Mustasharin) are chosen by local councils (162 seats), professional chambers (91 seats), and wage workers for a nine-year tenure (27 seats).

Although still rather restricted, the Parliament’s authority was increased by the constitutional amendments of 1992, 1996, and 2011, and now includes the authority to approve laws, interrogate ministers, and create ad hoc commissions of inquiry to look into the activities of the government. A vote of no confidence in the government may lead to its dissolution by the lower house of Parliament. On September 8, 2021, the most recent parliamentary elections were conducted. An estimated 50.35 percent of registered voters participated in these elections.

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces:
The Royal Armed Forces of Morocco are made up of the Army, which is the main component, as well as the Navy, the Air Force, the Royal Guard, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Auxiliary Forces. The majority of the time, internal security is effective, and political violence is uncommon (with one exception, the 2003 Casablanca bombings which killed 45 people). In the Western Sahara, where a sizable number of Moroccan forces are deployed, the UN has a small observation force. Since the 1970s, the Sahrawi Polisario Front has intermittently fought against Moroccan forces while maintaining an active militia in Western Sahara with an estimated 5,000 members.

Foreign relations of Morocco:
The African Union (AU), Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement, and Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN SAD) are all organizations that Morocco is a member of in addition to the United Nations. Morocco has a wide range of ties with African, Arab, and Western countries. Morocco has maintained close connections with the West to benefit politically and economically. France and Spain continue to be Morocco’s key trading partners, as well as its principal debtors and foreign investors. The European Union accounts for around 73.5 percent of all foreign investments in Morocco, compared to the Arab world’s 19.3 percent. Large-scale development projects in Morocco are involving additional nations from the Persian Gulf and the Maghreb.

Due to its unilateral withdrawal from the African Union on November 12, 1984, over the organization’s admission of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as a full member in 1982 without the organization of a referendum on self-determination in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, Morocco was the only African nation that was not a member. The AU welcomed Morocco back on January 30, 2017. Algeria has off diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021.

The sovereignty of Melilla and Ceuta was once again in question in 2002 as a result of a dispute with Spain over the little island of Perejil. These little islands off the coast of the Mediterranean are encircled by Morocco and have been governed by Spain for centuries. The George W. Bush administration designated Morocco as a strong non-NATO ally in 2004. The first country to recognize US sovereignty was Morocco (in 1777). The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), which attempts to strengthen ties between the EU and its neighbors, includes Morocco.

Human rights in Morocco:
Under Hassan II’s administration from the early 1960s through the late 1980s, Morocco had one of the worst records for human rights in Africa and the whole globe. Prior to a significant decline in the mid-1990s, political opposition was routinely suppressed by the government when Hassan II was in power. The abusive decades are known as the Years of Lead (Les Années de Plomb), and they included secret incarceration camps like Tazmamart, killings of political opponents, and forced disappearances. An Equity and Reconciliation Commission was established by the administration of King Mohammed to investigate the wrongdoings done under King Hassan II (1961–1999). (IER).

Through a number of regulations, Moroccan authorities allegedly limited the rights to peaceful assembly, association, and speech in 2016, according to a Human Rights Watch annual report. The authorities continue to pursue printed and online media outlets that oppose the monarch or the administration in court (or the royal family). In Western Sahara, a disputed region that Morocco occupies and regards as a part of its Southern Provinces, there are recurrent claims of violence against both Sahrawi pro-independence and pro-Polisario protesters. Activists for Sahrawi independence have said that Morocco is imprisoning them as prisoners of conscience.

Pre-marital sex and homosexual actions are both prohibited in Morocco, and they carry sentences of up to three years in jail. Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code states that proselytizing for any other faith but Islam is prohibited and carries a maximum 15-year jail sentence. Sexual harassment and violence against women are now considered crimes. The sentence may include a fine of $200 to $1,000 and a term of imprisonment of one month to five years.

Hundreds of Moroccan migrant workers were left stranded in Spain in May 2020 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-related limitations. The migrant workers eventually returned home when the Spanish government said that it was in talks with the Moroccan authorities about repatriating them through a “humanitarian corridor.”

The economy of Morocco is seen as being reasonably open and subject to the rule of supply and demand. Morocco has adopted a policy of privatizing various economic sectors that were formerly controlled by the government since 1993. The fifth-largest economy in Africa by GDP, Morocco has emerged as a key actor in African economic affairs (PPP). The Economist Intelligence Unit’s quality-of-life ranking placed Morocco ahead of South Africa as the top African nation. Morocco has now dropped to fourth position, behind Egypt, in the years following the awarding of its first-place classification.

The Moroccan economy has grown significantly more strong in comparison to a few years ago because to government reforms and consistent annual growth in the range of 4-5 percent from 2000 to 2007, notably 4.9 percent year-over-year growth in 2003-2007. The World Bank predicted that Morocco will have growth of 4% in 2012 and 4.2 % in 2013.

Just over half of the GDP is made up of the services sector, while the remaining quarter is made up of industry, which includes mining, building, and manufacturing. Tourism, telephony, information technology, and textiles all experienced significant development.

The two official tongues of Morocco are Arabic and Berber. Darija is the name given to the peculiar collection of Moroccan Arabic dialects spoken throughout the country. 89.8% of the populace as a whole can communicate in Moroccan Arabic to some extent. Three dialects of Berber are used today (Tarifit, Tashelhit and Central Atlas Tamazight). According to Frédéric Deroche’s 2008 estimate, 12 million Berber speakers—or nearly 40% of the population—live in the world. 28.1 percent of the population, according to the 2004 census, spoke Berber

Governmental organizations, the media, major and mid-sized businesses, international trade with French-speaking nations, and international diplomacy frequently employ French. In all schools, French is a required language to learn. 10,366,000 people in Morocco, or around 32 percent of the population, were French speakers in 2010.

2.19 million Moroccans spoke a language other than French, according to the 2004 census. Despite having fewer speakers than French, English is the most popular foreign language among educated youth and professionals since French is required.

Ethnologue estimates that 1,536,590 people, or about 4.5 percent of the population, in Morocco speak Spanish as of 2016. Due to the fact that Spain once controlled these regions, Spanish is mostly spoken throughout northern Morocco and the former Spanish Sahara. In contrast, 1.7 million Moroccans, according to a 2018 research by the Instituto Cervantes, were at least fluent in Spanish, making Morocco a country with the greatest number of Spanish speakers outside of the Hispanophone world (unless the United States is also excluded from Spanish-speaking countries). Spanish-language television, radio, and other media are broadcast to a sizeable area of northern Morocco, which is said to help people there become more fluent in the language.

Following Morocco’s 1956 declaration of independence, French and Arabic replaced Spanish as the primary administrative and educational tongues. The enormous diaspora of Moroccans in the Netherlands or in the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, who frequently hold dual citizenship, prefer to use the Dutch language either as a joint mother tongue or second language, despite its rarity in Morocco itself.

In 2010, the Pew Forum reported that 99 percent of the population was Muslim, with the remaining religious groups making up less than 1 percent of the total population. Shia Muslims make up fewer than 0.1 percent of persons who identify as Muslim, with Sunni Muslims making up the majority. According to a 2019 study performed for the BBC by the research network Arab Barometer, despite Moroccans’ affiliation with Islam, approximately 15% still identify as atheist.

There may be up to 8,000 Christians in the entire country, according to some local Christian leaders, although many are said to avoid gathering frequently out of concern for social persecution and government monitoring. Between 8,000 and 50,000 Moroccans are said to have converted to Christianity, the majority of whom were covert worshipers.

According to the most current estimates, there are roughly 2,500 Jews living in Casablanca, while there are 100 Jews each in Rabat and Marrakesh. The remaining Jews are distributed over the rest of the country. There are fewer young individuals in this demographic, which is primarily composed of seniors. There are 350 to 400 members of the Bahá’ Faith community in metropolitan areas.

Primary school education in Morocco is both free and required. According to estimates, 72 percent of the population was literate in 2012. Morocco received the “UNESCO 2006 Literacy Prize” in September 2006, together with Cuba, Pakistan, India, and Turkey.

More than 40 higher education institutions, including universities and polytechnics, are spread out across Morocco’s metropolitan centers. The Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, which in addition to its agricultural specialties also conducts important social science research, is one of its leading institutions. Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa, was founded in 1995 with funding from Saudi Arabia and the United States. Mohammed V University, Morocco’s largest university, with branches in Casablanca and Fès, is another.

Some sources, including UNESCO, claim that the al-Qarawiyin University, which Fatima al-Fihri founded in the city of Fez in 859 as a madrasa, is the “oldest university in the world.” The National School of Mineral Industry, École Hassania des Travaux Publics, Les Écoles nationales de commerce et de gestion, l’Institut National des Postes et Télécommunication (INPT), École Nationale Supérieure d’Électricité et de Mécanique (ENSEM), EMI, ISCAE, INSEA, and the École Supérieure de Technologie de Casablanca are just a few of Morocco’s.

Morocco is mostly made up of “hot desert climate” (BWh) and “hot summer Mediterranean climate” (Csa) zones. Morocco has a relatively wide range of vegetation zones, with lush forests in the northern and central mountains giving way to steppe, semi-arid, and desert regions in the eastern and southern regions. Central mountain ranges and the effects of the cold Canary Current, off the Atlantic coast, are also important determinants. Even in the height of summer, the coastal plains of Morocco have unusually mild temperatures. This variety of climates is comparable to Southern California’s in general.

There are a variety of climates in the Rif, Middle, and High Atlas Mountains: A humid temperate environment with enough moisture to support the growth of several types of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, and Atlantic fir, a royal conifer tree native to Morocco, replaces the Mediterranean climate along the coastal lowlands. Rich soils and abundant precipitation in the valleys promote the development of dense, luxuriant woods. West of the Middle Atlas Mountains and Rif Mountains are where cloud forests may be found. Ski resorts may be supported by the alpine environment that develops at higher elevations.

The climate changes to become very dry with long, scorching summers in the southeast of the Atlas mountains, close to the Algerian borders. Due to the rain shadow effect of the mountain system, extreme temperatures and low moisture levels are particularly noticeable in lowland areas east of the Atlas range. The hottest areas of Morocco are found there, including parts of the Sahara Desert (Merzouga, Zagora, M’hamid), which is characterized by huge expanses of sand dunes and stony plains studded with beautiful oasis.

Contrary to the Sahara area in the south, the country’s middle and northern regions have lush coastal plains that are the foundation of the agricultural that sustains 95 percent of the country’s inhabitants. The northern part of Morocco has a climate more akin to mainland Europe because of the direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean, closeness to Europe, and the long-stretching Rif and Atlas mountains. As a result, Morocco is a country of opposites. About 12 percent of Morocco is made up of forested regions, while 18 percent is made up of arable land. The percentage of Moroccan land that is irrigated for agricultural purposes is around 5%.

In general, apart from the southeast regions (pre-Saharan and desert areas), Morocco’s climate and geography are very similar to the Iberian peninsula. Thus Morocco has the following climate zones:

Mediterranean:
Dominates the country’s coastline Mediterranean areas over a (500 km) stretch, as well as small stretches of the Atlantic coast. Average highs in the summer range from hot to fairly hot and dry, between 29 °C (84.2 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F). Winters in the west Mediterranean coast are often moderate and wet, with daily average highs of 9 °C (48.2 °F) to 11 °C (51.8 °F) and average lows of 5 °C (41.0 °F) to 8 °C (46.4 °F). In this region, annual precipitation ranges from 350 to 500 mm in the east to 600 to 800 mm in the west. Tangier, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Nador, and Safi are notable cities that are located within this region.

Sub-Mediterranean:
Cities that exhibit Mediterranean traits but are nevertheless heavily influenced by other climates because of their height or direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean are affected by it. So, our two key impacting climates are as follows: Oceanic: determined by the milder summers, with average high temperatures in the Essaouira region of approximately 21 °C (69.8 °F) and roughly 27 °C (80.6 °F) respectively. Winters are cool to moderate and damp, with average daily temperatures that can drop as low as 19 °C (66.2 °F). The range of annual precipitation is 400 to 700 mm. Rabat, Casablanca, Kénitra, Salé, and Essaouira are notable cities that are located in this region.

Since the highs and lows are further apart, there are hotter summers and colder winters than in normal Mediterranean regions. Daily highs in the summer range from 32 °C (89.6 °F) to 36 °C (96.8 °F), but they can go as high as 40 °C (104.0 °F) during heat waves. However, when the sun sets, the temperature drops. In the middle of summer, nighttime lows can go as low as 10 °C (50.0 °F) and are typically below 20 °C (68.0 °F). Between December and February, the winters are colder and can occasionally dip below freezing. Occasionally, snow may also fall. For instance, Fès recorded 8 °C (17.6 °F) during the winter of 2005. The range of annual precipitation is 500 to 900 mm.

Continental:
mostly found in the country’s hilly north and center, where summers are hot to very hot and highs range from 32 °C (89.6 °F) to 36 °C (96.8 °F). On the other side, winters are harsh with lows that frequently fall below freezing. Temperatures can occasionally drop below 5 °C (23.0 °F) when cold, wet air from the northwest enters Morocco for a few days. In this area of the country, it snows a lot frequently. The range of precipitation is 400 to 800 mm. Khenifra, Imilchil, Midelt, and Azilal are notable cities.

Alpine:
both the eastern portion of the High Atlas Mountain range and some areas of the Middle Atlas Mountain range contain this region. Winters are longer, colder, and snowier, with summers that range from extremely mild to very warm. The range of precipitation is 400 to 1200 mm. Lows average around 15 °C (59.0 °F) while highs in the summer hardly get over 30 °C (86.0 °F). Wintertime highs are typically about 8 °C (46.4 °F), although freezing point-below lows are common. There are several ski resorts in this region of the country, including Oukaimeden and Mischliefen. Ifrane, Azrou, and Boulmane are notable cities.

Semi-arid:
In the south and certain areas of the east of Morocco, where annual precipitation ranges between 200 and 350 mm, this kind of climate can be found. However, those areas typically exhibit Mediterranean traits, such as the pattern of precipitation and the features of the climate. Cities like Agadir, Marrakesh, and Oujda are notable.

Arid and desert conditions start to predominate near the Algerian borders to the south and to the east of Jerada. Due to Morocco’s proximity to the North Sea of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert, two phenomena occur that affect the regional seasonal temperatures: either by raising temperatures by 7-8 degrees Celsius when sirocco blows from the east, creating heatwaves, or by lowering temperatures by 7-8 degrees Celsius when cold, damp air blows from the northwest, creating a coldwave or cold spell. The typical duration of these events is between two and five days.

Portugal, Spain, Algeria, and California are all nations or areas that have climates that are similar to those of Morocco. On a number of fronts, Morocco is anticipated to be strongly impacted by climate change. As a coastal country with hot and dry weather, there will probably be a wide range of environmental effects. Morocco came in behind Sweden in the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index’s readiness rankings.

Morocco is home to a diverse range of biomes. It is a component of the Mediterranean basin, which is known for its high concentrations of unique species that are losing their habitat at rapid rates. As a result, this region is prioritized for conservation efforts. The avifauna is remarkably diverse. There are 454 species of avifauna in Morocco, five of which have been introduced by people, and 156 of them are seldom or accidental sightings.

The Barbary lion, a subspecies that was indigenous to Morocco and was driven to extinction in the wild, serves as the country’s symbol. In the Atlas Mountains in 1922, a Barbary lion that was still roaming free was killed. The Atlas bear and Barbary leopard, the other two main predators of northern Africa, are now extinct and seriously endangered, respectively. Up to the 20th century, remnant populations of West African crocodiles could still be found in the Draa River.

The Barbary macaque, a monkey that is native to Morocco and Algeria, is likewise in danger of going extinct because of human interference, urbanization, the logging industry, and real estate development that destroys the macaque’s habitat in the form of wooded areas. Despite the fact that most of it is prohibited by law, trade in animals and plants for food, pets, medicines, souvenirs, and picture props is widespread across Morocco. This uncontrolled commerce is said to be harming local animal populations in wild Morocco. Due to northern Morocco’s close proximity to Europe, species including cactus, tortoises, animal skins, and high-value birds are collected throughout Morocco and exported in significant amounts, with eel exports to the Far East reaching 60 tons between 2009 and 2011.

Six terrestrial ecoregions can be found in Morocco: the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests, the Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe, the Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets, the Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe, the Mediterranean woodlands and forests, and the North Saharan steppe and woodlands. With a mean score of 6.74/10 on the 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index, it came in 66th place overall out of 172 nations.

Morocco is one of several countries making efforts to solve health concerns and eradicate illness. Diseases, maternal health, and children’s health are all aspects of overall health and well-being. Morocco has achieved significant progress in several areas. Moroccan health, however, still has to be improved on in many ways. Only 16% of Moroccan people, according to published studies, had health insurance or coverage in 2005. According to World Bank data, Morocco has high infant mortality rates (20 per 1,000 live births) and high maternal mortality rates (121 per 100,000 live births) (2015).

Within the previously established healthcare system in Morocco, the government installs surveillance equipment to keep an eye on things and gather information. The primary education system, which is free for Moroccan citizens, includes widespread hygiene instruction. The Moroccan government passed two amendments to increase access to health insurance in 2005.

The first change was requiring health insurance for all public and private sector workers, increasing coverage from 16 to 30 percent of the population. A fund to pay for services for the needy was established under the second reform. In both cases, access to high-quality treatment was enhanced. Since 1960, when there were 144 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, to the present, when there are 20 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality has drastically decreased. Between 1990 and 2011, Morocco’s mortality rate for children under five decreased by 60%.

The current death rate is still extraordinarily high, more than seven times higher than in the country’s neighbor, Spain, according to data from the World Bank. Morocco launched a national strategy in 2014 to advance maternal and child health. Dr. El Houssaine Louardi, the Moroccan Minister of Health, and Dr. Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, launched the Moroccan Plan on November 13, 2013, in Rabat.

Morocco has made considerable strides in lowering the number of maternal and infant fatalities. According to data from the World Bank, between 1990 and 2010, the country’s maternal death rate decreased by 67%. In 2014, 5.9 percent of the Morocco’s GDP was spent on healthcare. The GDP’s share of healthcare spending has fallen since 2014. However, since 2000, the amount spent on healthcare per person (PPP) has grown consistently. The cost of healthcare in Morocco was $435.29 per person in 2015. In 2016, there were 6.3 doctors, 8.9 nurses, and midwives for every 10,000 people, and the life expectancy at birth was 74.3, or 73.3 for males and 75.4 for women. Morocco placed 16th out of 29 nations in 2017 according to the Global Youth Wellbeing Index. Moroccan teens suffer self-harm at a rate that is on average 4 encounters per year lower than the global index.

Moroccan architecture describes the styles of buildings that have been prevalent in Morocco throughout its history and into the present. The architecture of Morocco reflects both the geography’s varied history and the waves of successive immigrants brought in via migration and military conquest. From prehistoric Roman and Berber (Amazigh) structures to colonial and contemporary buildings from the 20th century, this architectural legacy is diverse.

The traditional architecture that emerged during the Islamic period (7th century and beyond), which predominates most of Morocco’s recorded history and its current legacy, is what is most recognizable as “Moroccan” architecture. This Moroccan “Islamic architecture” was a component of a larger cultural and aesthetic ensemble known as “Moorish” art, which was prevalent across Morocco, al-Andalus (Muslim Spain and Portugal), and even in some regions of Algeria and Tunisia.

It incorporated elements of pre-Islamic Spain’s Roman, Byzantine, and Visigothic cultures, as well as contemporary artistic movements in the Islamic Middle East, to create a distinctive aesthetic over many centuries that is recognizable for its “Moorish” arch, riad gardens (courtyard gardens divided symmetrically into four parts), and intricate geometric and arabesque motifs in wood, stucco, and tilework (notably zellij).

Despite the fact that Moroccan Berber architecture is not strictly distinct from the rest of Moroccan architecture, many buildings and architectural styles are distinctly connected to traditionally Berber or Berber-dominated regions of Morocco, such as the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara and pre-Sahara regions. These primarily rural areas are distinguished by a large number of kasbahs (fortresses) and ksour (fortified villages) that were moulded by the local terrain and social institutions, with Ait Benhaddou being one of the most well-known. They are primarily constructed from rammed earth and embellished with distinctive geometric patterns.

The Berbers of Morocco (and all of North Africa) did not live in isolation from other historical artistic currents; rather, they adapted Islamic architectural forms and concepts to their own circumstances, which helped shape Western Islamic art. This was especially true during the centuries of Almoravid, Almohad, and Marinid rule, when they exercised political dominance over the area.

Moroccan contemporary architecture is dominated by early 20th-century Art Deco and regional neo-Moorish (or Mauresque) buildings constructed between 1912 and 1956 under the country’s colonial rule by France (and Spain) (or until 1958 for Spain). The expansive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the King Mohammed V Mausoleum, both of which were completed in 1971, are two instances of new construction from the latter half of the 20th century that upheld traditional Moroccan iconography and design (completed in 1993). Even now, major prestige projects and everyday buildings alike still feature elements of modernist design.

The main literary languages used in Morocco are Arabic, Berber, Hebrew, and French. Moroccan literature and that of al-Andalus were closely intertwined, especially during the Almoravid and Almohad empires. They both used significant lyrical and literary forms including the zajal, the muwashshah, and the maqama. Islamic literature, including Quranic exegesis and other religious writings like Al-Shifa by Qadi Ayyad, had a significant impact. Maimonides, Ibn al-Khatib, and Ibn Khaldun were among the foreign academics who came to study at the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, which was a significant center for literature.

Morocco had a time of affluence and intellectual genius during the Almohad kingdom. The Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakesh was erected by the Almohad, who were also known for creating the first book mart in history. It could hold up to 25,000 people and was known for its libraries, bookshops, and manuscripts. Abu Yakub, the Caliph of the Almohads, loved to collect books. He established an outstanding library, which was later moved to the Casbah and transformed into a public library.

In the 1930s, modern Moroccan literature first appeared. Morocco was influenced by two primary elements to see the emergence of contemporary literature. Morocco’s status as a protectorate of France and Spain gave Moroccan intellectuals the freedom to interact with writers from other Arabic cultures as well as writers from Europe. Moroccan literature of the 20th century was mainly influenced by three generations of writers. The first was the Protectorate generation (1912–1956), whose most significant representative was Mohammed Ben Brahim (1897–1955).

The second generation, which included writers like Abdelkrim Ghallab (1919–2006), Allal al–Fassi (1910–1974), and Mohammed al–Mokhtar Soussi (1900–1963), was crucial in the transition to independence. The writers from the 1960s comprise the third generation. Then, with authors like Mohamed Choukri, Driss Chrabi, Mohamed Zafzaf, and Driss El Khouri, Moroccan literature grew and prospered. The numerous Moroccan authors, poets, and playwrights that would follow were greatly influenced by these writers.

Morocco served as a haven and a hub for the arts during the 1950s and 1960s, drawing authors like Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, and William S. Burroughs. Arabic-language writers Mohamed Zafzaf and Mohamed Choukri, as well as French-language authors Driss Chrabi and Tahar Ben Jelloun, contributed to the flourishing of Moroccan writing. Abdellatif Laabi, Abdelkrim Ghallab, Fouad Laroui, Mohammed Berrada, and Leila Abouzeid are a few other notable Moroccan writers. Whether it is written in Moroccan Arabic or Berber, orature (oral literature) is an essential component of Moroccan culture.

Morocco’s culture reflects and is influenced by a synthesis of historical influences. The disciplines of individual or social conduct, language, conventions, knowledge, beliefs, the arts, law, gastronomy, music, poetry, architecture, etc. may all fall under this category. While Morocco began to steadily shift toward Sunni Islam in the ninth and tenth centuries AD, under the reign of the Almoravids, a sizeable ancient Jewish community played an important role in influencing Moroccan culture. A rural Donatist Christianity and a still-developing Roman Catholicism were both existent in ancient times, from the second century A.D. through the seventh. A multi-millennia old, still firmly existent, prehistoric Berber substratum serves as the foundation for all of the cultural super layers.

Moroccan language diversity is intricate. In general, it has a tendency to be both vertically and horizontally stratified. However, it may be largely divided into two groups: Semitic (Arabic) and Berber. As Berber languages may be traced back to low antiquity and prehistoric eras, it is difficult to make any educated guesses regarding their origins. On the other hand, archaeological data fairly supports the Semitic impact. It arrived in two waves: the Punic, Carthaginian, and Hebrew historic forms of Canaanite from the ninth century B.C. through high antiquity, and Arabic during the low Middle Ages beginning in the seventh century A.D. Given the similarity of the two Semitic languages’ grammar and lexicon, it is difficult to determine which one contributed more to the development of the present Maghrebi Arabic dialect. As they expanded, the Arab invaders undoubtedly came upon a sizable Romanized Punic population in urban areas. In any event, the interaction of three major circles—Arab, Berber, and Western Mediterranean European—has contributed to Morocco’s linguistic and cultural identity, as its location would anticipate.

According to the general census of 2014, the majority of Moroccans speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija) as their mother tongue, despite the fact that Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber are the country’s two official languages. Tarifit, Tamazight, or Tashelhit are three of the Berber languages that around 26% of the population speaks.

Music of Morocco:
Moroccan music is distinguished by its enormous regional variation. It comprises Arabic musical styles such chaâbi and aita from the Atlantic lowlands (Doukkala-Abda, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Rehamna), melhoun from the cities connected to al-Andalus (Meknes, Fes, Salé, Tetouan, Oujda, etc.), and Hassani from the Moroccan Sahara. Additionally, there is Berber music like the Rif reggada, the Middle Atlas ahidus, and the Souss ahwash. There are also deqqa Marrakshia and gnawa in the South. Additionally, youth combine Moroccan culture with influences from around the world (blues, rock, metal, reggae, Moroccan rap, etc.).

The Moroccan musical genre known as Tarab al-la, or “joy of the instrument,” was created as a result of a significant Muslim migration from Valencia to Moroccan towns, particularly Fes. The Moroccan variations of the Andalusi nubah melodic arrangements are used in the Fessi la style. [18] Although this musical genre is occasionally referred to as “Andalusi music” among the general public, professionals prefer the label “la” (which means “instrument”) to distinguish it from the Sufi tradition of sam, which is exclusively vocal, and to downplay its connection to Europe. Kunnash al-Haik, a song collection written by Mohammed al-Haik in the 18th century, is a key work in the la tradition.

At festivities and formal ceremonies, old songs like “Shams al-‘Ashiya” are still played. The museum and conservatory Dar ul-Aala in Casablanca is devoted to preserving this musical legacy. Gharnati music is another genre that sprang from the musical traditions of al-Andalus. Tarik Banzi, a composer, oud player, and visual artist from Morisco who founded the Al-Andalus Ensemble, created a style of music and art known as Contemporary Andalusian.

The term “chaabi” (Moroccan for “popular”) refers to a wide range of musical styles that have their roots in Moroccan folk music. Originally done in markets, chaabi is now present at any gathering or celebration. Popular Western music genres including fusion, rock, country, metal, and especially hip hop are growing more and more well-liked in Morocco. Morocco competed in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, where it placed sixth overall.

Media of Morocco
Le chevrier Marocain (“The Moroccan Goatherd”), which Louis Lumière filmed in 1897, is credited with launching Moroccan cinema’s lengthy history. Many foreign films were filmed in the country between then and 1944, particularly in the Ouarzazate region. The Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), which oversees the country’s film industry, was founded in 1944. In Rabat, studios also opened.

In 1952, Orson Welles’ Othello won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film The Moroccan flag was flown when Orson Welles’ Othello won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1952. The Moroccan national anthem, however, was not played by the Festival’s musicians since nobody in attendance was familiar with it. Mohammed Ousfour would make the first Moroccan movie, Le fils maudit, six years later (“The Damned Son”).

The inaugural Mediterranean Film Festival took place in Tangier in 1968. The tournament is held in Tetouan in its present form. The first national film festival, which was held in Rabat in 1982, came after that. The inaugural International Film Festival of Marrakech (FIFM) took place in Marrakech in 2001.

Moroccan cuisine
One of the world’s cuisines with the most variety is Moroccan. This is the outcome of Morocco’s lengthy history of contact with the outside world. The primary influences on Moroccan cuisine include Moorish, European, and Mediterranean. Moroccan cuisine makes significant use of spices. Although Morocco has long imported spices, several components, like saffron from Tiliouine, mint and olives from Meknes, and oranges and lemons from Fez, are indigenous to the country. In Morocco, chicken is the most popular meat. Beef is the red meat most frequently consumed in Morocco; lamb is favored but is more costly. The traditional national cuisine of Morocco and the one that most people are familiar with is couscous.

The most popular red meat in Morocco is beef, which is typically consumed in a Tagine along with vegetables or lentils. Given that the Tagine of Chicken, Potatoes, and Olives is one of the most well-known tagines, chicken is also frequently included in tagines. Although lamb is enjoyed as well, Moroccan lamb lacks the strong flavor of Western lamb and mutton because Northwest African sheep breeds preserve the majority of their fat in their tails. Additionally, poultry is used often, and Moroccan cuisine is using more seafood. A folded savory Moroccan pancake called “el ghraif” uses salted dried meats and salted preserved meats like “g’did” and “kliia/khlia” to enhance tagines.

Couscous, Pastilla (sometimes written Bsteeya or Bestilla), Tajine, Tanjia, and Harira are some of the most well-known Moroccan delicacies. Despite being a soup, the latter is eaten as a meal on its own or with dates, especially during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic law known as Sharia, it is unlawful to eat pork.

Bread plays a significant role in every meal. In Morocco, khobz, a durum wheat semolina, is mostly used to make bread. Fresh bread is a mainstay in every city, town, and hamlet in Morocco, and bakeries are widely distributed across the country. White flour or coarsely ground whole grain bread is the most popular. Numerous flat breads and pulled unleavened pan-fried breads are also available.

The most popular beverage is “atai,” a blend of green tea, mint, and other flavors. Moroccan culture places a high value on tea, which is also regarded as an art form. It is frequently provided anytime there are guests and is particularly a drink of hospitality. It is not just served at mealtimes but also throughout the day. It is offered to visitors and it is rude to decline.

Sport in Morocco
The most popular sport in Morocco, particularly among urban youngsters, is football. Morocco was the first Arab or African country to get to the second stage of the FIFA World Cup in 1986. Because of worries about the ebola outbreak on the continent, Morocco initially agreed to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations but declined to do so on the scheduled dates. The United States, France, Germany, South Africa, and a joint bid from Canada, Mexico, and the United States defeated Morocco in all five of its bids to host the FIFA World Cup.

Two Moroccans won gold medals in track and field at the 1984 Olympics. Nawal El Moutawakel became the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal when she triumphed in the 400-meter hurdles. At the same competitions, Sa’d Aouita won the 5000-meter race. Hicham El Guerrouj, who owns multiple world records in the mile run, won gold medals for Morocco in the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 1500 and 5000 meters.

Before European sports like football, polo, swimming, and tennis were introduced at the end of the 19th century, spectator sports in Morocco had historically focused on the skill of riding. Golf and tennis have gained popularity. In 1999, Morocco fielded its first Davis Cup squad and many of its professional athletes participated in international competition. One of Africa’s earliest professional basketball leagues was founded by Morocco, one of the continent’s basketball pioneers. Early in the 20th century, the French who were in charge of the country brought rugby to Morocco. Because many Moroccan players enlisted in the military, Moroccan rugby’s fortunes during the first and second World Wars were closely related to those of France.

Moroccan rugby, like that of many other Maghreb countries, frequently looked to Europe rather than the rest of Africa for inspiration. In Morocco, kickboxing is also well-liked. Former K-1 heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix finalist Badr Hari is a Moroccan-Dutch heavyweight kickboxer and martial artist.

Tours and Excursions