Morocco’s strategic geographical location has determined its cultural identity. As a bridge between Africa and Europe, the Kingdom of Morocco has always been a crossroad between civilizations. As “a melting pot”, Morocco, throughout its history played a major role in creating cultural linkages which contributed in shaping its distinctive culture.
Geography
Photo Courtesy of www.un.org
Morocco is located at the northwest of Africa. It is bordered in the north by the strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean sea; to the south by Mauritania; to the east by Algeria and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Moroccan coast extends over 3,500 km.Covering an area of 710 850 sq.km, Morocco offers a tapestry of soil, mountains and vegetation. Landscapes vary from eternal snow peaks to shifting dunes, brooding forests to arid plains to rushing torrents. 3500 km of its coastline are bordered by the Atlantic to the West, and to the North the Rif Mountains overlook the Mediterranean beaches.
Like a veritable spine, the Middle Atlas Mountains with their ancient cedars have much to offer ramblers and winter sports enthusiasts. The landscape unfolds towards the sea, traversing the generous orchards of Saïss, the rich plains of the Rharb and the sheep covered hills of Zemmour.
Running parallel are the summits of the High Atlas which reach a height of 4 167m on Mount Toubkal. Oasises spring forth in this arid immensity; the untrammeled dunes of Merzouga reveal the splendor of the desert.
Morocco offers such a profusion of colors and sights that to the Greeks it was known as the "Garden of Hesperides". Legend has it that Hercules smote the Strait of Gibraltar to join his brother Atlas.
History
The Kingdom of Morocco ended its prehistoric age in 1100 BC with the Phoenicians installing their first trading post in Likus, Tingis, Tamuda and Mogador, the commercial center. Before Roman, Morocco was a federation of tribes’ this gave birth to the Kingdom of Mauritania. Rome’s influence in Morocco began to be felt in 146 BC after the fall of Carthage. The emperor Claudius created the Mauritania province which was annexed by the empire.
Today, however, there are little to no traces of Roman influence in Morocco. At the end of the III century, Rome’s presence went into decline in Morocco with cities evacuated one after the other. In 683 AD Muslim horsemen made their first voyages to Morocco. In 708 Moussa Ibnou Noussair conquered Morocco and Islam was established. The first Moroccan dynasty was installed by Idriss I who ruled from 686 to 917 AD. The Idrissides installed Morocco’s monarchy in Fez which is today the spiritual capital.
Marrakech was founded in 1062 by the Almohade Dynasty which understood commercial trade and was able to extend its influence abroad. In 1269, when the Merinides took control of Morocco, they pursued the unification of the country. Between 1510 and 1523, the Saadians were successful in putting an end to the Portuguese occupation. With the decline of the Saadian dynasty, the Alaouite dynasty took over, when Moulay Rachid, a descendant from the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him), unified the country under his leadership. During the reign of Moulay Abdelaziz from 1908 to 1912, Morocco became a European protectorate with Spain occupying the North and South of Morocco, while France took control of the rest of the Moroccan territory. The northern city of Tangiers became an international zone. In 1953, King Mohamed V and his family were deported to Madagascar. One year after his return to Morocco in 1956, the country obtained its independence: Spain gave up its control on the Northern provinces and France did the same with its zone of control. Tarfaya and Sidi Ifni in the South were retroceded by Spain respectively in 1958 and 1969.The other southern provinces remained under Spanish control until 1975.
After Mohamed V death in 1961; his son Hassan II became the new King of Morocco. Under his reign, Morocco embarked on political and social reforms and spearheaded the economic development. With the demise of His Majesty King Hassan II, His Majesty Mohamed VI ascended the throne on July 23, 1999. Leading the country into the III millennium, King Mohamed VI stresses on socio-economic policies focusing on the integration of women, transparency and the modernization of all sectors of the economy.
His Majesty King Mohamed VI consolidated the state of law and order based on the democratic values of transparency, respect of the Human Rights and solidarity taking the country into a flourishing millennium.
The country has hosted many international events such as: the Islamic Summit Meeting, Al Qods Committee sessions, the signing of the GATT agreement creating of the W.T.O…
Economy
The Moroccan government has pursued an economic reform programme supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank since the early 1980s. It has restrained government spending, revised the tax system, reformed the banking system, followed appropriate monetary policies, eased import restrictions, lowered tariffs, and liberalized the foreign exchange regime.
The reforms have contributed to rising per capita income, lower inflation, and narrow fiscal and current account deficits. In addition, the government of Morocco offers four literacy programs, which have enrolled more than 1 million adults aged sixteen and above since 1995.
In response to the increase in rural poverty, the government of Morocco adopted the 2020 rural development strategy- an ambitious plan that strives to eliminate rural poverty by 2020 by focusing on agricultural development, building the skills of local authorities and NGOs to oversee projects, tailoring solutions to local ecosystems and promoting decentralization by involving rural people in decision making.
Morocco has a number of features to attract foreign capital. The choice of Marrakech to hold the official ceremony for the signature of the final act of the Uruguay round recognised its effort towards liberalization of its commercial system and the integration of its economy into the structures of the world economy.
Political regime
Morocco is a social democratic and constitutional monarchy. The King is head of the state. His Majesty Mohammed VI has led the country since July 1999. The Royal family is directly descendant from the Alaouite Dynasty which has governed Morocco since 1640. The Government is headed by a prime minister appointed by the King. There is a bicameral parliament whose members are elected for 5 years (Deputies), and 9 years (Councillors): a third of the Councillors chamber is renewed each 3 years. The juridical authority is independent from both the executive and the legislative powers.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI
Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi
Quick Facts
Capital
Rabat
Location
At the Northwestern corner of Africa lies Morocco, also known as Al Maghrib or the country of "the Extreme Sun Set ", stretches from the strait of Gibraltar south into the Sahara covering an area of 710 850 sq.km
