Geography of Morocco

The Geography of Morocco

• Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara, slightly larger than California

• Area:
total: 446,550 sq km
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km

• Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

• Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering
plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

The High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

• Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Moroccan Lead

• Environment issues include: land degradation, soil erosion resulting from farming of
marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation. Water supplies were also
contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; and oil pollution of coastal waters.

• Population: 33,757,175 (July 2007 est.)

• Geographic Coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W

• Natural Hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

• Major Infectious Diseases: food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis

• Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

• Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

• Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

• National Holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

The Moroccan Flag

The Moroccan Coat of Arms

History of Morocco

Moroccan Timeline of Key Events

•7-17th Century: Arab invasion; Idris founds the first major Muslim dynasty. Dynasty’s and religious movements come and go.

•1860-1904: Dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave causes Spain to declare war. Spain wins a further enclave and an enlarged Ceuta in the settlement. Spain later creates a protectorate on Moroccan coasts. In 1904 France and Spain select zones of influence.

•1912 - Morocco becomes a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez. Spain continues to operate its coastal protectorate. The sultan has a largely figurehead role.

•1956 March - End of French protectorate due to unrest and strong nationalist sentiment. Spain keeps its two coastal enclaves. Sultan Mohammed becomes king in 1957.

• 1961: King Mohammed dies, King Hassan II comes to power.

•1973 - Polisario movement is formed. This movement is aimed to establish an independent state in Spanish Sahara, a territory south of Morocco controlled by Spain. The group has Algerian support.

• 1975: Spain leaves Spanish Sahara, and agrees to transfer to joint Moroccan/Mauritanian control. Algeria disagrees and threatens military intervention, Moroccan forces enter and control the territory.

• 1976: Moroccan and Algerian troops clash in Western Sahara. Algeria announces the formation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Western Sahara is divided. Fighting continues between Moroccan military and Polisario forces. War loses money for Morocco.

• 1988: Resumption of full diplomatic relations with Algeria.

• 1999: King Hassan II is succeeded by his son, Mohammed VI.

• 2002 December: Morocco and Spain talk for the first time since their conflict over Perejil. In January 2003 they agree to return ambassadors.

• 2004 July : Free trade agreement with the US comes into effect. It follows Washington's designation of Morocco as a major non-Nato ally.

Economy

The Moroccan Economy

• Morocco is a developing county and faces problems such as restraining government spending, reducing constraints on foreign trade, and sustaining economic growth.

• The dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions

• Moroccan agriculture was hindered due to droughts, attributing to a stagnant economy in 2002. However, Morocco received foreign exchange inflows due to the sale of cell phone licenses, and, "partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company and the state tobacco company."

• Favorable rainfall in 2003 led to a growth of 6%.

• Long-term challenges include: preparing the economy for freer trade with the European Union and US, improving education, and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Moroccans.

• Unemployment rate is 7.7%

• Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

• Agriculture (13% of GDP, 2005): Products--barley, citrus fruits, vegetables, olives, livestock, and fishing.
Barley Citrus Fruits Olives




•Trade: Exports--$14.037 billion (27% GDP, 2005). Major markets--EU 71.5%, India 4.1%, U.S. 2.6%, and Brazil 2.4%. Imports-- $17.68 billion (34% GDP, 2005). Major suppliers--EU 52.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Russia 6.7%, China 5.2%, U.S. 3.4%.

The Moroccan Government

The Moroccan Government

• Government type: constitutional monarchy

• Capital: Rabat

• Independence: gained on the 2nd of March, 1956 (from France)

• Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create
bicameral legislature) September 1996

• GDP - real growth rate: 6%

• composition by sector:
agriculture: 22.9%
industry: 35.5%
services: 41.5%

• Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)

• Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 9.5744

• Executive Branch: chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch.
>No elections, the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

• Legislative Branch:
-bicameral Parliament :holds an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; 295 by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

• Judicial Branch: consists of the Supreme Court. In the Supreme court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch.

• Major political parties: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Istiqlal (Independence) Party (PI), Party of Justice and Development (PJD), National Rally of Independents (RNI), Popular Movement (MP), National Popular Movement (MNP), Constitutional Union Party (UC), Democratic Forces Front, (FFD), National Democratic Party (PND), Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Democratic Union (UD), Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), Social Democratic Party (PSD), The Pact (AHD), Liberty Alliance (ADL), United Socialist Leftists (GSU), Moroccan Liberal Party (PML), Party of Reform and Development (PRD), Citizen Forces (FC), National Itihadi (Unity) Congress (CNI), Party of Action (PA), Social Center Party (PCS), Party of Environment and Development (PED), Citizens Initiative for Development (ICD), Party of Renewal and Equity (PRE), Consultation and Independence Party (PCI), Advancing Democratic and Social Party (PAGDS).

Culture

Moroccan Culture

Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups, with people coming from the East (Jews, Arabs), South (Africans), and North (Romans). The wide variety of people in Morocco brings along a number of different religions such as Paganism, Judaism, Chrisitanity and Islam. Berbers are an ethnic group of ancient ancestry living throughout Northwest Africa. Today, much of the population (30%) are of Berber origins.

Berber village in the high Atlas, Morocco (Imlil valley)

Morocco also has several local customs, such as;

• taking off shoes when entering a home,
• bringing a gift, such as sugar or pastries, or even a live chicken for a county household, when invited to a gathering,
• many Moroccan foods are eaten with the hands, but it is important to always eat with the right hand, as the left hand is considered dirty,
• Taking photographs of citizens without their permission is also viewed as disrespect,
• shorts and short skirts and low-cut dresses are considered provocative and should be avoided in towns or villages.
  
  

Moroccan Art

-Moroccan art is displayed at several museums, art galleries and souks in Morocco.
-there are many different forms of art created, such as: carpets, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, weapons, and calligraphy.
-there is also an annual international art festival to showcase Moroccan talent

Moroccan Rugs

Souks: or markets, there is a souk in every town in the kingdom. Souks are places to buy local products, settle disputes or debts, and even arrange marriages. Souks are an important form of income for citizens; you can find anything from rugs, souvenirs, ornaments, food, guides, spices, slippers, and traditional art at a souk.

Mosques: holy places that only Muslims are allowed into, the closest a tourist can get to a mosque would be ruins such as Tin Mal and Smara.

Hassan II Mosque in Morocco.

Moroccan Literature

• Moroccan literature is written in Arabic, Berber or French


• The Almohad built the exclusive Marrakech Koutoubia Mosque, famous for its selection of books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops.


• The Almohad Caliph Abu Yakub was a book collector and founded a library, which was eventually carries to the Casbah and turned into a public library.


• Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers such as Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, and William S. Burroughs.


• Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such as Mohamed Choukri, who wrote in Arabic, and Driss Chraibi who wrote in French.
  
• Other important Moroccan authors include Tahar ben Jelloun, Foad Laroui, Mohammed Berraha and Leia Abouzeid.
  

Moroccan Music

• Moroccan music is predominantly Arab, but is influenced by outside cultures. Rock influenced chaabi bands are popular, as well as trance music with historical origins in Muslim music.


• Morocco is home to Andalusion classical music, a style of arabic music found in North Africa.


• Berber folk music: Chaabi, originally performed in markets but now is found at any celebration or meeting, has many varieties and stems from the many forms of Moroccan folk music


• Popular Western forms of music are also becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such as rock, country, metal, and especially hip hop.
  Moroccan Folk Music

Moroccan Dancing

Moroccan Food

• The cuisine of Morocco is a mix of Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Portuguese, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and African foods.


• Moroccann food uses many spices; Morocco grows several spices and foods such as saffron, mint, olives, oranges and lemons.


• The most widely eaten meat in Morocco is Chicken. The most commonly eaten red meat is beef; lamb is preferred, but more expensive.
  
• Couscous, pastille, tanjine, and harira are several popular moroccan dishes. The most popular drink is green tea with mint.

Couscous with vegetables and chickpeas

Current Events and Issues

Recent Articles Relating to Morocco

•Property boom
-Property in Morocco has begun to skyrocket, due to its mention in recent Hollywood movies, such as Babel, and the attraction of the rich and famous to the Kingdom. Many investors are buying property along the coast; cities and towns that are currently hot on the market include Al Hoceima, Tetouan, and even cities near Oujda. Other popular cities in Morocco include Fez and Marrakesh. The rise in property sales contributes to the economy, helping this kingdom maintain a stable economy.

Al Hoceima

•Morocco building new port
- The Moroccan government has planned to build a new port in Tangier to supplement another new port opening up in July. The port will cost 14 billion dirham ($1.7 billion) and would have a capacity of five million containers. These ports will benefit a network of reads, highways and rail lines linking to a free-trade zone nearby and to the rest of the country. The two ports would have a combined capacity of up to 10 million containers, making the Tangier port complex one of the biggest in the world.

The Tangier Port

Bibliography

Works Cited

"Background Note: Morocco." US Department of State. US Dept of State. 13 May 2007 http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5431.htm.

"Morocco: History, Geography, Government and Culture." Infoplease.Com. 13 May 2007 http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107800.html.

"Morocco." CIA World Factbook. 17 Apr. 2007. CIA. 13 May 2007 https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mo.html.

"Morocco Tourism." Morocco. 13 May 2007 http://www.morocco.com/.

"Morocco Travel." Travel.State.Gov. US Department of State. 13 May 2007

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_975.html.