Morocco

Morocco

Country statistics

area:	446,550sq km (172,413sq mi) 28,705,000
capital (population):	Rabat (658,000)
government:	Constitutional monarchy
ethnic groups:	Berber 59%, Arab 40%
languages:	Arabic (official), French
religions:	Sunni Muslim 99%, Christian 1%
currency:	Moroccan dirham = 100 centimes

Kingdom in nw Africa. The narrow Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Europe. The majority of Moroccans live on the narrow w coastal plain, which includes the capital Rabat, the largest city and port Casablanca, and the cities of Tangier and Agadir. The Atlas mountains dominate central Morocco, and Djebel Toubkal (in the Haut Atlas) is the highest peak in North Africa, at 4165m (13,665ft). The Rif Atlas lie in the far n. Between the Atlas mountains and the coastal plain lies a plateau, which includes the cities of Fez and Marrakech. Southern Morocco forms part of the Sahara Desert, which continues into the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Climate

The Canaries Current cools the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Inland, summers are hot and dry. During the mild winters (October to April), sw winds from the Atlantic bring moderate rainfall and snow on the Haut Atlas.

Vegetation

The Sahara is barren. Forests of cedar, fir and juniper swathe the mountain slopes. The coastal plain is a fertile region.

History

Berbers settled in the area c.3000 years ago. Jewish colonies were established under Roman rule. In c.ad 685, Arab armies invaded Morocco, introducing Islam and Arabic. In 711, Moroccan Muslims (Moors) invaded Spain. In 788, Berbers and Arabs united in an independent Moroccan state. Fez became a major religious and cultural centre. In the mid-11th century, the Almoravids conquered Morocco, and established a vast Muslim empire. The Almohad dynasty succeeded the Almoravids. In the 15th century, the Moors retreated from Spain, and Spain and Portugal made advances into Morocco. The present ruling dynasty, the Alawite, came to power in 1660, and soon reclaimed most of the European-held territory.

In the mid-19th century, Morocco's strategic and economic potential began to attract European imperial interest, especially France and Spain. In 1912, Morocco divided into French Morocco, and the smaller protectorate of Spanish Morocco. Nationalist resistance was strong. Abd al-Krim led a revolt (1921–26) against European rule. In 1942, Allied forces invaded Morocco and removed the pro-Vichy colonial government. In 1947, the Sultan, Sidi Muhammad, called for the reunification of French and Spanish Morocco, but France refused and exiled the Sultan in 1953. Continuing civil unrest forced the French to accede to the return of the Sultan in 1955.

In 1956 Morocco gained independence, although Spain retained control of two small enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. In 1957, Morocco became an independent monarchy when Sidi Muhammad changed his title to King Muhammad V. In 1961, Muhammad's son succeeded as King Hassan II. During the 1960s, Morocco faced external territorial disputes (especially with Algeria) and internal political dissent. In 1965, Hassan II declared a state of emergency and assumed extraordinary powers. While the 1972 constitution reduced royal influence, Morocco remains only nominally a constitutional monarchy, and effectively the King wields all political power.

In 1976, Spain finally relinquished its claim to Spanish Sahara, and the region became known as Western Sahara. Western Sahara divided between Morocco and Mauritania. In 1979, Mauritania withdrew from Western Sahara, and Morocco assumed control of the phosphate-rich region. It met fierce resistance from independence movements.

Politics

The collapse of several coalition governments in 1993 led to King Hassan's appointment of an administration. In 1994, Morocco restored diplomatic links with Israel. In 1995, Hassan formed a new government of technocrats and members of the Entente National. In 1996, a referendum approved the establishment of a bicameral legislature, with a directly elected lower chamber. A new coalition government emerged from elections in 1997. In 1999 Hassan died, and his son succeeded as Muhammad VI.

Economy

Morocco is a lower-middle-income developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$3500). The post-independence exodus of Europeans and Jews from Morocco created an economic vacuum. The cost of war in Western Sahara further strained Morocco's scant resources. Its main resource is phosphate rock, which is used to make fertilizers. Morocco is the world's fourth-largest phosphate producer and processes 75% of the world's reserves. The principal mines are near Khouribga.

Agriculture employs 46% of the workforce. In the mountains, peasant farmers or nomadic pastoralists undertake most agriculture. The chief commercial farming areas are the Atlantic coastal plains and the inland plateaux, where extensive irrigation makes farming possible. The main crops include barley, beans, citrus fruits, grapes, maize, olives, sugar beet, and wheat. Fishing is also an important activity. In May 2003, a series of suicide bombings in Casablanca killed 41 people. The bombings were linked to al-Qaeda.

Casablanca, the chief manufacturing city and largest port, is a thriving tourist centre. Morocco is a popular tourist destination; the annual number of visitors exceeds 4 million (2000), and contributes more than US$2000 million in annual receipts (2000). Tourist areas include the Atlantic Coast resorts, the Atlas Mountains, and the historic cities of Marrakech, Fez, and Rabat. In 1996, as part of a rapidly improving infrastructure, Morocco and Spain agreed to build a tunnel linking the two countries. Morocco applied for membership of the European Union (EU).

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.mincom.gov.ma/english/e_page.html