Morocco

Morocco is located in North Africa and is bordered to the south by Mauritania, to the East by Algeria, to the North by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the West by the Atlantic Ocean respectively. The Western Sahara and the Atlas and Rif mountain ranges are a part of Morocco. Its capital city is Rabat and its largest city is Casablanca. It has a constitutional monarchy type of government and gained Independence in 1956 from France and Spain

Climate

Morocco's climate is moderate and subtropical with a Mediterranean climate in Morocco's interior and south. It is cooled by breezes off the two seas. The temperature can reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) in the Sahara desert while it can drop below 0 Celsius (32 F) at night.

Religion

The main religion in Morocco is Islam, others include Christianity and Judaism.

Languages

Arabic is the official language; French serves as a language of business and government people. Spanish is used in the northern part of the country. Other languages include English and Moroccan Amazigh dialects. Languages of original people of Morocco include Tarifit, Tashelhit, and Tamazight. Darija is a mixture of all languages present in Morocco and it is spoken by all people in Morocco.

History

The Amazigh (also known as Berbers) are the original people of Morocco. Morocco was ruled by the Phoenicians in 12^th century BC, Romans in 13^th century BC, Visigoths, Vandals in the 5^th century, Byzantine Greeks, Arabs in the 7^th century, Portuguese and Spanish in the 15^th century, and the French.

Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956. Arabs introduced Islam along with the Arabic language and culture. Sultan Mohammed became King during the French regime and was succeeded in 1961 by his son Hassan II who ruled for 38 years. Hassan died in 1999 and was succeeded by his son King Mohammed VI.

Economy

Morocco's economy mainly depends on fishing, tourism, citrus fruits, and mining phosphates. Other economic activities include mining of manganese, lead, silver, copper and other metals. Other agriculture products include barley, vegetables, olives, and livestock. Other industries include manufacturing and handicrafts.

Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Morocco.

Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL.

If you are from Morocco, your feedback is much appreciated.

Sources

BBC News

2009 Country Profile: Morocco. Electronic Document, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791867.stm,

accessed March 25, 2009.

Geographia

1997 An introduction to Morocco. Electronic Document, http://www.geographia.com/morocco/, accessed March 20, 2009.

Infoplease

2000 Morocco: History, Geography, Government, and Culture. Electronic Document, http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107800.html,

accessed March 20, 2009.

The Magic Morocco

2007 Welcome to Morocco. Electronic Document, http://www.magicmorocco.com/welcome_to_morocco.html,

accessed March 22, 2009.

2009 Background Notes: Morocco Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Electronic Document, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5431.htm,

accessed March 19, 2009.

Written by Esther Nalubwama, 2009