Morocco

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa.

Politics

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy. The political powers are shared between the king Muhammad VI (the sixth) and the Head of the Government. The King is the head of state (Person in charge of the country) and the most important person.

The people of Morocco vote for Members of Parliament to speak for them and to help make laws for them. The Council of Ministers defines what must be done. He makes all the important decisions. Today, the Head of Government is Abdelilah Benkirane.

Geography

Morocco is next to the countries of Algeria to its east, Mauritania to its south and Spain and Portugal as well as the United Kingdom at Gibraltar. The Mediterranean Sea lies to the north of Morocco, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Morocco has a diverse geography from fertile plains, to forests, cold mountains, dry lands, and deserts. Most people live in areas close to the coast, or in fertile farms. Morocco has an area of 446,550 km². Morocco also controls most of the Western Sahara which is 266.000 km² big.

The capital of Morocco is Rabat. About 1.2 million people live in Rabat. The biggest city in Morocco is however Casablanca, with nearly 4 million people living there. Both Rabat and Casablanca have large ports and industrial zones. The third biggest city is Marrakesh from which the word “Morocco” is made.

People and culture

Islam in Morocco The population of Morocco is about 34 million. People from Morocco are called Moroccans. Moroccans are an Arabic speaking ethnic group of mixed Berber and European descent.

The culture of Morocco is a reflection of various cultures that have come into contact with the country throughout the centuries, including neighbouring Mediterranean cultures.

The official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Berber. French is also very used in companies, universities, and in some TV channels. Morocco was part of the French colonial empire for 44 years. Some people in the north (close to Spain) speak Spanish as well. Spain also occupied parts of Morocco before leaving them in 1956 and in 1975.

Most educated Moroccans do not speak English well, or do not know it at all. In the 21st century English is being taught to students in an increasing number of schools.

Most Moroccans follow Islam as their religion as a result of the Arab conquest in the 7th century. There are very small numbers of Christians, Jews, and non-believers. Morocco is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Karaouine.

Divisions

Morocco is divided into 12 regions. The regions are divided into 62 prefectures and provinces.

As of 2015 the regions are:

1. Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
1. Oriental
1. Fez-Meknes
1. Rabat-Sale-Kenitra
1. Beni Mellal-Khenifra
1. Casablanca-Settat
1. Marrakech-Safi
1. Draa-Tafilalet
1. Souss-Massa
1. Guelmim-Oued Noun
1. Laayoune-Sakia el Hamra
1. Dakhla-Oued ed Dahab

Provinces

Morocco is divided into 37 provinces and 2 wilayas : Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Benslimane, Boulemane, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa of Sraghna, Errachidia, Essaouira, Fez, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Rommani, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat, Sale, Settat, Safi, Sidi Kacem, Tangier, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudant, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit. Three additional provinces of Dakhla (Oued ed Dahab), Boujdour, and Es-Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara.

Economy

Mining, agriculture, fishing, and tourism are the 4 main parts of Morocco’s national economy. Also, Moroccans working in Europe (about 2 million) send billions of Euros of money home to their families every year.

Tourism is becoming very important too. Many Americans and Europeans come to see the historical places of Morocco, live the Berber countryside life, or enjoy the warm sun and the long and clean beaches. Marrakesh is the most liked city by tourists.

The currency of Morocco is called the Dirham, its code is MAD.

Morocco (المغرب in Arabic) is a country in northern Africa on the Mediterranean coast. The capital is Rabat and the currency is the Moroccan dirham. The current king of Morocco is Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Morocco shares borders with Spain along the coast with Spain’s exclaves: Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to the south. Western Sahara is claimed by Morocco as a part of the country so technically Morocco also shares a border with Mauritania in the south.

The highest mountain in Morocco is Toubkal at 4,167 m.

Arabic and Berber are the country’s official languages. Islam is the main religion in Morocco and is practised by almost all of the population.

Fast facts