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Morocco

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Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is a nation in North Africa.

It sits in a region called the Maghreb. To the north, it meets the Mediterranean Sea. To the west, it faces the Atlantic Ocean.

Merzouga sahara
Merzouga sahara

The country shares land borders with Algeria to the east. To the south, it borders the territory of Western Sahara. Morocco also claims the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The nation has a population of about 37 million people.

Africa (orthographic projection)
Africa (orthographic projection)

Morocco has a very deep history of human life. Evidence shows humans lived there over 300,000 years ago.

In the ancient past, the land was much greener. It looked more like a savanna than a desert.

Djebel Toubkal 01
Djebel Toubkal 01

Over time, different groups moved through the region. The Phoenicians established trading colonies like Mogador. Later, the Roman Empire ruled parts of the area. The Berber kingdom of Mauretania was also an early independent state.

Bab Bou Jeloud (Fes, Marocco)
Bab Bou Jeloud (Fes, Marocco)

Islam and the Arabic language arrived in the 7th century. This period changed the culture and the people of the region. The Idrisid dynasty was founded in 788 by Idris I.

This dynasty made Fes a major center for learning. Later, the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties became very powerful. During the 11th and 12th centuries, they reached their peak. These dynasties controlled much of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula.

Couscous of Fes
Couscous of Fes

The Alawi dynasty has ruled Morocco since 1631.

Coat of arms of Morocco
Coat of arms of Morocco

This dynasty helped expand relations with the Western world. In 1912, France and Spain established protectorates over the country. This meant they controlled much of the government. The Sultan remained the formal ruler but had limited power. After fighting against colonial rule, Morocco regained independence in 1956. Sultan Mohammed V led the country during this time.

Flag of Morocco
Flag of Morocco

Today, Morocco is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy. This means it has a king and an elected parliament. The king holds significant power over the military and foreign policy. He can also issue dahirs, which are decrees that act as law. The legislative power is split between two groups. These are the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Constitutional Court handles judicial power and reviews the validity of laws.

Morocco is a major economic and political force. It has the fifth-largest economy in Africa.

Casablanca Finance City 37
Casablanca Finance City 37

The country is a member of many international groups. These include the African Union and the Arab League. It also belongs to the Union for the Mediterranean. This helps Morocco influence both Africa and the Arab world. The nation is considered a middle power in global affairs.

Al Boraq RGV2N2 at Tanger Ville
Al Boraq RGV2N2 at Tanger Ville

There is still a political dispute regarding Western Sahara. Morocco claims this territory as its own Southern Provinces. Spain agreed to decolonize the area in 1975. This led to a guerrilla war between local inhabitants and other powers. Mauritania gave up its claim to the area in 1979. A ceasefire was reached in 1991, but the issue remains unresolved. Morocco currently occupies about two-thirds of the territory.

Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
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File:Flag of Libya.svg
Flag of Libya.svg
File:Flag of Algeria.svg
Flag of Algeria.svg
File:Flag of Egypt.svg
Flag of Egypt.svg
File:Flag of Morocco.svg
Flag of Morocco.svg
File:Coat of arms of Morocco.svg
Coat of arms of Morocco.svg
File:Morocco Köppen.svg
Morocco Köppen.svg
File:Africa (orthographic projection).svg
Africa (orthographic projection).svg
File:Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg
Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg
File:Morocco (orthographic projection, WS claimed).svg
Morocco (orthographic projection, WS claimed).svg
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