Morocco

Morocco,officially theKingdom of Morocco,is a country in theMaghrebregion ofNorth Africa. It overlooks theMediterranean Seato the north and theAtlantic Oceanto the west, and has land borders withAlgeriatothe east, and the disputed territory ofWestern Saharatothe south. Morocco also claims theSpanishexclavesofCeuta,MelillaandPeñón de Vélez de la Gomera, and several smallSpanish-controlled islandsoff its coast.It has a population of approximately 37 million. Islam is both the official and predominant religion, while Arabic and Berber are the official languages. Additionally, French and the Moroccan dialect of Arabic are widely spoken. Theculture of Moroccois a mix ofArab,Berber,AfricanandEuropeancultures. Its capital isRabat, while its largest city isCasablanca.
The region constituting Morocco has been inhabited since thePaleolithicera over 300,000 years ago. TheIdrisid dynastywas established byIdris Iin 788 and Morocco was subsequently ruled by a series of other independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as aregional powerin the 11th and 12th centuries, under theAlmoravidandAlmohaddynasties, when it controlled most of theIberian peninsulaand the Maghreb.Centuries ofArab migration to the Maghrebsince the 7th century shifted the demographic scope of the region. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, withPortugalseizing some territory and theOttoman Empireencroaching from the east. TheMarinidandSaadidynasties otherwise resisted foreign domination, and Morocco was the only North African nation to escape Ottoman dominion. The'Alawi dynasty, which rules the country to this day, seized power in 1631, and over the next two centuries expandeddiplomaticand commercial relations with theWestern world. Morocco's strategic location near the mouth of the Mediterranean drew renewed European interest; in 1912, France and Spain divided the country intorespective protectorates, reserving aninternational zone in Tangier. Following intermittent riots and revolts against colonial rule, in 1956, Morocco regained its independence and reunified.
Since independence, Morocco has remained relatively stable. It has thefifth-largest economyin Africa and wields significant influence in both Africa and theArab world; it is considered amiddle powerin global affairs and holds membership in theArab League, theArab Maghreb Union, theUnion for the Mediterranean, and theAfrican Union.Morocco is aunitarysemi-constitutional monarchywith an elected parliament. Theexecutive branchis led by theKing of Moroccoand theprime minister, whilelegislative poweris vested in the two chambers of parliament: theHouse of Representativesand theHouse of Councillors. Judicial power rests with the Constitutional Court, which may review the validity of laws, elections, and referendums.The king holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over themilitary, foreign policy and religious affairs; he can issue decrees calleddahirs, which have the force of law, and can also dissolve the parliament after consulting theprime ministerand the president of the constitutional court.
Morocco claims ownership of thenon-self-governing territoryofWestern Sahara, which it has designated itsSouthern Provinces. In 1975, after Spainagreed to decolonise the territoryand cede its control to Morocco andMauritania, aguerrilla warbroke out between those powers and some of thelocal inhabitants. In 1979, Mauritania relinquishedits claimto the area, but the war continued to rage. In 1991, a ceasefire agreement was reached, but the issue of sovereignty remained unresolved. Today, Morocco occupies two-thirds of the territory, andefforts to resolve the disputehave thus far failed to break the political deadlock.
TheEnglishMoroccois ananglicisationof theSpanishname for the country,Marruecos, derived from the name of the city ofMarrakesh, which was the capital of theAlmoravid dynasty, theAlmohad Caliphate, and theSaadian dynasty.During the Almoravid dynasty, the city of Marrakesh was established under the name ofTāmurākušt, derived from the city's ancientBerbername ofamūr n Yakuš(lit.'land/country of God').In English, the first vowel has been changed, likely influenced by the word "Moor".
Historically, the territory has been part of what Muslim geographers referred to asal-Maghrib al-Aqṣā[ar](المغرب الأقصى, 'the Farthest West [of the Islamic world]' designating roughly the area fromTiaretto theAtlantic) in contrast with neighbouring regions ofal-Maghrib al-Awsaṭ[ar](المغرب الأوسط, 'the Middle West':TripolitoBéjaïa) andal-Maghrib al-Adnā[ar](المغرب الأدنى, 'the Nearest West':AlexandriatoTripoli).
Morocco's modernArabicname isal-Maghrib(المغرب,transl.the land of the sunset; the west), with the Kingdom's official Arabic name beingal-Mamlakah al-Maghribīyah(المملكة المغربية;transl.the kingdom of sunset/the west).InTurkish, Morocco is known asFas, a name derived from its medieval capital ofFeswhich is derived from the Arabic wordFaʾs(فأس;transl.pickaxe), as the city's founderIdris I ibn Abd Allahreputedly used a silver and gold pickaxe to trace the outlines of the city.In other parts of the Islamic world, for example in Egyptian and Middle Eastern Arabic literature before the mid-20th century, Morocco was commonly referred to asMurrakush(مراكش).The term is still used to refer to Morocco today in severalIndo-Iranianlanguages, includingPersian,Urdu, andPunjabi.
Morocco has also been referred to politically by a variety of terms denoting theSharifi heritageof the 'Alawi dynasty, such asal-Mamlakah ash-Sharīfah(المملكة الشريفة),al-Iyālah ash-Sharīfah(الإيالة الشريفة) andal-Imbarāṭūriyyah ash-Sharīfah(الإمبراطورية الشريفة), rendered in French asl'Empire chérifienand in English as the 'Sharifian Empire'.
The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited since at leastPaleolithic times, beginning sometime between 190,000 and 90,000 BC.A recent publication has suggested that there is evidence for even earlier human habitation of the area:Homo sapiensfossils that had been discovered in the late 2000s near theAtlantic coastinJebel Irhoudwere recently dated to roughly 315,000 years ago.During theUpper Paleolithic, theMaghrebwas more fertile than it is today, resembling asavanna, in contrast to its modern arid landscape.
DNA studies ofIberomaurusianpeoples atTaforalt, Morocco dating to around 15,000 years ago have found them to have a distinctive Maghrebi ancestry formed from a mixture ofNear Easternand African ancestry, which is still found as a part of the genome of modern Northwest Africans.Later during theNeolithic, from around 7,500 years ago onwards, there was a migration into Northwest Africa ofEuropean Neolithic Farmersfrom the Iberian Peninsula (who had originated inAnatoliaseveral thousand years prior), as well as pastoralists from theLevant, both of whom also significantly contributed to the ancestry of modern Northwest Africans.Theproto-Berbertribes evolved from these prehistoric communities during the lateBronze- and earlyIronages.
In the early part ofClassical Antiquity, Northwest Africa and Morocco were slowly drawn into the wider emergingMediterraneanworld by thePhoenicians, who established trading colonies and settlements there, the most substantial of which wereChellah,Lixus, andMogador.Mogador was established as a Phoenician colony as early as the 6th century BC.
Morocco later became a realm of the Northwest African civilisation ofancient Carthage, and part of the Carthaginian empire. The earliest known independent Moroccan state was theBerber kingdom of Mauretania, under KingBaga.This ancient kingdom (not to be confused with the modern state ofMauritania) flourished around 225 BC or earlier.Mauretaniabecame aclientkingdom of theRoman Empirein 33 BC. EmperorClaudiusannexed Mauretania directly in 44 AD, making it aRoman provinceruled by an imperialgovernor(either aprocurator Augusti, or alegatus Augusti pro praetore).
Christianityin Morocco appeared during theRomantimes, when it was practiced byBerber Christiansin RomanMauretania Tingitana.During theCrisis of the Third Century, parts of Mauretania were reconquered by Berbers. By the late 3rd century, direct Roman rule had become confined to a few coastal cities, such as Septum (Ceuta) inMauretania TingitanaandCherchellinMauretania Caesariensis. When, in 429 AD, the area was devastated by theVandals, the Roman Empire lost its remaining possessions in Mauretania, and localMauro-Roman kingsassumed control of them. In the 530s, theEastern Roman Empire, under Byzantine control, re-established direct imperial rule of Septum andTingi, fortified Tingis and erected a church.
TheMuslim conquest of the Maghrebthat had begun during the mid-7th century was completed under theUmayyad Caliphateby 709. The caliphate introduced bothIslamand the Arabic language to the area; this period also saw the beginning of a trend ofArab migration to the Maghrebwhich would last for centuries and effect a demographic shift in the region. While constituting part of the larger empire, Morocco was initially organised as a subsidiary province ofIfriqiya, with the local governors appointed by the Muslim governor inKairouan.
The indigenous Berber tribes adopted Islam, but retained theircustomary laws. They also paid taxes and tribute to the new Muslim administration.The first independent Muslim state in the area of modern Morocco was theKingdom of Nekor, an emirate in theRif Mountains. It was founded bySalih I ibn Mansurin 710, as a client state to the Umayyad Caliphate. After the outbreak of theBerber Revoltin 739, the Berbers formed other independent states such as theMiknasaofSijilmasaand theBarghawata.
The founder of theIdrisid dynastyand the great-grandson ofHasan ibn Ali,Idris ibn Abdallah, had fled to Morocco after the massacre of his family by theAbbasidsin theHejaz. He convinced the Awraba Berber tribes to break their allegiance to the distant Abbasid caliphs and he founded the Idrisid dynasty in 788. The Idrisids establishedFesas their capital and Morocco became a centre of Muslim learning and a majorregional power. The Idrisids were ousted in 927 by theFatimid Caliphateand their Miknasa allies. After Miknasa broke off relations with the Fatimids in 932, they were removed from power by theMaghrawaof Sijilmasa in 980.
From the 11th century onward, a series of Berber dynasties arose.Under theSanhajaAlmoravid dynastyand theMasmudaAlmohad dynasty,Morocco dominated the Maghreb,al-AndalusinIberia, and the western Mediterranean region. From the 13th century onward the country saw amassive migrationof theBanu HilalArab tribes. In the 13th and 14th centuries theZenataBerberMarinidsheld power in Morocco and strove to replicate the successes of the Almohads through military campaigns in Algeria and Spain. They were followed by theWattasids. In the 15th century, theReconquistaended Muslim rule in Iberia and many Muslims andJewsfled to Morocco.Portugueseefforts to control the Atlantic sea trade in the 15th century did not greatly affect the interior of Morocco even though they managed to control some possessions on the Moroccan coast but not venturing further afield inland.
In 1549, the region fell to successive Arab dynasties claiming descent from the Islamic prophetMuhammad: first theSaadi dynastywho ruled from 1549 to 1659, and then theAlawi dynasty, who have remained in power since the 17th century. Morocco faced aggression fromSpainin the north, and the Ottoman Empire's allies pressing westward.
Under the Saadis, the sultanateended the Portuguese Aviz dynastyin 1578 at theBattle of Alcácer Quibir. The reign ofAhmad al-Mansurbrought new wealth and prestige to the Sultanate, and alarge expeditionto West Africa inflicted a crushing defeat on theSonghay Empirein 1591. However, managing the territories across theSaharaproved too difficult.Upon the death of al-Mansur, the country was divided among his sons.
After a period of political fragmentation and conflict during the decline of the Saadi dynasty, Morocco was finally reunited by the Alawi sultanal-Rashidin the late 1660s, who took Fez in 1666 and Marrakesh in 1668.The 'Alawis succeeded in stabilising their position, and while the kingdom was smaller than previous ones in the region, it remained quite wealthy. Against the opposition of local tribesIsmail Ibn Sharif(1672–1727) began to create a unified state.With hisRiffianarmy, he re-occupiedTangierfrom the English who had abandoned it in 1684 and drove the Spanish fromLarachein 1689. The Portuguese abandonedMazagão, their last territory in Morocco, in 1769. However, thesiege of Melillaagainst the Spanish ended in defeat in 1775.
Morocco was the first nation to recognise the fledgling United States as an independent nation in 1777.In the beginning of theAmerican Revolution, American merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean were subject to attacks by other fleets. On 20 December 1777, Morocco's SultanMohammed IIIdeclared that American merchant ships would be under the protection of the sultanate and could thus enjoy safe passage. The 1786Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendshipstands as the United States' oldest unbroken friendship treaty.
As Europe industrialised, Northwest Africa was increasingly prized for its potential for colonisation. France showed a strong interest in Morocco as early as 1830, not only to protect the border of its Algerian territory, but also because of the strategic position of Morocco with coasts on the Mediterranean and the open Atlantic.In 1860, a dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave led Spain to declare war. Victorious Spain won a further enclave and an enlarged Ceuta in the settlement. In 1884, Spain created a protectorate in the coastal areas of Morocco.
In 1904, France and Spain carved out zones of influence in Morocco. Recognition by theUnited Kingdomof France'ssphere of influenceprovoked a strong reaction from theGerman Empire; and a crisis loomed in 1905. The matter was resolved at theAlgeciras Conferencein 1906. TheAgadir Crisisof 1911 increased tensions between European powers. The 1912Treaty of Fezmade Morocco aprotectorateof France, and triggered the1912 Fez riots.Spain continued to operate its coastal protectorate. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role ofprotecting powerover the northern coastal and southernSaharanzones.
Tens of thousands of colonists entered Morocco. Some bought up large amounts of rich agricultural land, while others organised the exploitation and modernisation of mines and harbours. Interest groups that formed among these elements continually pressured France to increase its control over Morocco – with some Moroccan tribes allying with the French against other competing tribes from early on in its conquest. The French colonial administrator, Governor general MarshalHubert Lyautey, sincerely admired Moroccan culture and succeeded in imposing a joint Moroccan-French administration, while creating a modern school system. Several divisions of Moroccan soldiers (Goumiersor regular troops and officers) served in theFrench armyin bothWorld War IandWorld War II, and in the SpanishNationalist Armyin theSpanish Civil Warand after (Regulares).The institution ofslaverywas abolished in 1925.
Between 1921 and 1926, anuprisingin theRifMountains, led byAbd el-Krim, led to the establishment of theRepublic of the Rif. The Spanish used anti-civilian bombing raids and mustard gas to prevent the Rif republic from gaining independence.They lost more than 13,000 soldiers atAnnualin July–August 1921 alone.The Riffi were eventually suppressed by 1927 by the Franco-Spanish military. The casualties on the Spanish-French side were 52,000 and from the Riffi 10,000 died.
In 1943, theIstiqlal Party(Independence Party) was founded to press for independence, with discreet US support. Moroccan nationalists drew heavily ontransnational activist networksfor lobbying to end colonial rule, primarily at the United Nations.The Istiqlal Party subsequently provided most of the leadership for the nationalist movement.
France's exile of SultanMohammed Vin 1953 toMadagascarand his replacement by the unpopularMohammed Ben Aarafasparked active opposition to the French and Spanish protectorates.The most notable violence occurred inOujdawhere Moroccans attacked French and other European residents in the streets.France allowed Mohammed V to return in 1955, and the negotiations that led to Moroccan independence began the following year.In March 1956 Morocco regained its independence from France as the Kingdom of Morocco. A month later Spain forsook its protectorate in Northern Morocco to the new state but kept its two coastal enclaves (CeutaandMelilla) on the Mediterranean coast which dated from earlier conquests, but over which Morocco still claimssovereigntyto this day.
Sultan Mohammed became King in 1957. Upon the death of Mohammed V,Hassan IIbecame King of Morocco on 3 March 1961. Morocco held its firstgeneral elections in 1963. However, Hassan declared a state of emergency and suspended parliament in 1965. In 1971 and 1972, there were two failed attempts to depose the king and establish a republic. A truth commission set up in 2005 to investigate human rights abuses during his reign confirmed nearly 10,000 cases, ranging from death in detention to forced exile. Some 592 people were recorded killed during Hassan's rule according to the truth commission.
In 1963, theSand Warwas fought between Algerian and Moroccan troops over Moroccan claims to parts of Algerian territory. A formal peace agreement was signed in February 1964; however, relations remained strained between the two countries following the conflict.The SpanishenclaveofIfniin the south was returned to Morocco in 1969.
ThePolisario movementwas formed in 1973, with the aim of establishing an independent state in the Spanish Sahara. On 6 November 1975, King Hassan asked for volunteers to cross into the Spanish Sahara. Some 350,000 civilians were reported as being involved in the "Green March".A month later, Spain agreed to leave the Spanish Sahara, soon to become Western Sahara, and to transfer it to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian control, despite the objections and threats of military intervention by Algeria. Moroccan forces occupied the territory.
Moroccan and Algerian troopssoon clashed in Western Sahara. Morocco and Mauritania divided up Western Sahara. Fighting between the Moroccan military and Polisario forces continued for many years. The prolonged war was a considerable financial drain on Morocco. In 1983, Hassan cancelled planned elections amid political unrest and economic crisis. In 1984, Morocco left the Organisation of African Unity in protest at theSADR's admission to the body. Polisario claimed to have killed more than 5,000 Moroccan soldiers between 1982 and 1985.Algerian authorities have estimated the number ofSahrawi refugeesin Algeria to be 165,000.Diplomatic relations with Algeria were restored in 1988. In 1991, a UN-monitored ceasefire began in Western Sahara, but the territory's status remains undecided and ceasefire violations are reported. The following decade saw much wrangling over aproposed referendumon the future of the territory but the deadlock was not broken.
Political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature with Morocco's first opposition-led government coming to power. King Hassan II died in 1999 and was succeeded by his son,Mohammed VI.He is a cautious moderniser who has introduced some economic and social liberalisation.Mohammed VI paid a controversial visit to the Western Sahara in 2002.Morocco unveiled an autonomy blueprint for Western Sahara to the United Nations in 2007.The Polisario rejected the plan and put forward its own proposal.Morocco and the Polisario Front held UN-sponsored talks in New York City but failed to come to any agreement.In 2010, security forces stormed a protest camp in the Western Sahara, triggering violent demonstrations in the regional capitalEl Aaiún.
In 2002, Morocco and Spain agreed to a US-brokered resolution over the disputed island ofPerejil. Spanish troops had taken the normally uninhabited island after Moroccan soldiers landed on it and set up tents and a flag.There were renewed tensions in 2005, as dozens of African migrants stormed the borders of the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. In response, Spain deported dozens of the illegal migrants to Morocco from Melilla.In 2006, the Spanish PremierZapaterovisited Spanish enclaves. He was the first Spanish leader in 25 years to make an official visit to the territories.The following year, Spanish KingJuan Carlos Ivisited Ceuta and Melilla, further angering Morocco which demanded control of the enclaves.
During the2011–2012 Moroccan protests, thousands of people rallied in Rabat and other cities calling for political reform and a new constitution curbing the powers of the king. In July 2011, the King won a landslide victory in areferendumon a reformed constitution he had proposed to placate theArab Springprotests.In the firstgeneral electionsthat followed, the moderate IslamistJustice and Development Partywon a plurality of seats, withAbdelilah Benkiranebeing designated as head of government per the new constitution.Despite the reforms made by Mohammed VI, demonstrators continued to call for deeper reforms. Hundreds took part in a trade union rally in Casablanca in May 2012. Participants accused the government of failing to deliver on reforms.
On 24 August 2021, neighbouring Algeria cut diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Morocco of supporting a separatist group and hostile actions against Algeria. Morocco called the decision unjustified. Foreign MinisterRamtane Lamamraaccused Morocco of usingPegasus spywareagainst its officials.Amnesty Internationalfound that two phones of Sahraoui human rights defenderAminatou Haidarwere infected in November 2021.
On 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitudeearthquakehit Morocco killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands. Theepicentreof the quake was around 70 km southwest of city of Marrakech.
On 10 December 2020, theIsrael–Morocco normalisation agreementwas announced, and Morocco announced its intention to resume diplomatic relations with Israel.Joint Declaration of the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel was signed on 22 December 2020.The agreement was met with criticism due to the October 2023Israel–Hamas war. Moroccan Foreign MinisterNasser Bouritaargues that maintaining relations does not signify endorsement of Israeli government actions.
Morocco has a coast by theAtlantic Oceanthat reaches past theStrait of Gibraltarinto theMediterranean Sea. It is bordered bySpainto the north (a water border through the Strait andland borderswith three small Spanish-controlledexclaves,Ceuta,MelillaandPeñón de Vélez de la Gomera),Algeriato the east, andWestern Saharato the south. Since Morocco controls most of Western Sahara, itsde factosouthern boundary is withMauritania.The geography of Morocco spans from the Atlantic Ocean, to mountainous areas, to the Sahara desert. Morocco is aNorthern Africancountry, bordering theNorth Atlantic Oceanand the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and the annexed Western Sahara. It is one of only three nations (along withSpainandFrance) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
A large part of Morocco is mountainous. TheAtlas Mountainsare located mainly in the centre and the south of the country. TheRif Mountainsare located in the north of the country. Both ranges are mainly inhabited by theBerber people.Its total area is about 446,300 km(172,317 sq mi).Algeria borders Morocco to the east and southeast, though the border between the two countries has been closed since 1994.The internationally recognised borders of the country lie between latitudes27°and 36°N, and longitudes 1° and14°W. Morocco's capital city isRabat, a city that is beside theOued Bou Regreg River; its largest city is its main port,Casablanca. Other cities recording a population over 500,000 in the2014 Moroccan censusareFes,Marrakesh,Meknes,SaléandTangier.
The Rif mountains stretch over the region bordering the Mediterranean from the northwest to the northeast. The Atlas Mountains run down the backbone of the country,from the northeast to the southwest. Most of the southeast portion of the country is in theSahara Desertand as such is generally sparsely populated and unproductive economically. Most of the population lives to the north of these mountains, with Morocco's largest cities encapsulated by theMiddle Atlasand theHigh Atlasmountain range, while to the south lies the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco in 1975 during theGreen March.Morocco claims that the Western Sahara is part of its territory and refers to that as itsSouthern Provinces.
Spanish territory in Northwest Africa neighbouring Morocco comprises five enclaves on the Mediterranean coast:Ceuta,Melilla,Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera,Peñón de Alhucemas, theChafarinasislands and the disputed isletPerejil. Off the Atlantic coast theCanary Islandsbelong to Spain, whereasMadeirato the north isPortuguese. To the north, Morocco is bordered by the Strait of Gibraltar, where international shipping has unimpededtransit passagebetween the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Morocco is represented in theISO 3166-1 alpha-2geographical encoding standard by the symbolMA.This code was used as the basis for Morocco's internet domain,.ma.
In area, Morocco's climate is mainly "hot summer Mediterranean" (Csa) and "hot desert" (BWh) zones.
Central mountain ranges and the effects of the coldCanary Current, off theAtlanticcoast, are significant factors in Morocco's relatively large variety of vegetation zones, ranging from lush forests in the northern and central mountains, giving way to steppe, semi-arid and desert areas in the eastern and southern regions. The Moroccan coastal plains experience moderate temperatures even in summer.
In the Rif, Middle and High Atlas Mountains, there exist several different types of climates: Mediterranean along the coastal lowlands, giving way to a humid temperate climate at higher elevations with sufficient moisture to allow for the growth of different species of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, and Atlantic fir which is a royal conifer treeendemicto Morocco.In the valleys, fertile soils and high precipitation allow for the growth of thick and lush forests. Cloud forests can be found in the west of the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas Mountains. At higher elevations, the climate becomes alpine in character, and can sustain ski resorts.
Southeast of the Atlas mountains, near the Algerian borders, the climate becomes very dry, with long and hot summers. Extreme heat and low moisture levels are especially pronounced in the lowland regions east of the Atlas range due to the rain shadow effect of the mountain system. The southeasternmost portions of Morocco are very hot, and include portions of theSaharadesert, where vast swathes of sand dunes and rocky plains are dotted with lushoases.
In contrast to the Sahara region in the south, coastalplainsare fertile in the central and northern regions of the country, and comprise the backbone of the country's agriculture, in which 95% of the population live. The direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean, the proximity to mainland Europe and the long stretched Rif and Atlas mountains are the factors of the rather European-like climate in the northern half of the country. That makes Morocco a country of contrasts.Forested areascover about 12% of the country while arable land accounts for 18%. Approximately 5% of Moroccan land is irrigated for agricultural use.
In general, apart from the southeast regions (pre-Saharan and desert areas), Morocco's climate and geography are very similar to the Iberian peninsula. Thus Morocco has the following climate zones:
South of Agadir and east of Jerada near the Algerian borders, arid and desert climate starts to prevail.
Due to Morocco's proximity to the Sahara desert and the North Sea of the Atlantic Ocean, two phenomena occur to influence the regional seasonal temperatures, either by raising temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius whensiroccoblows from the east creating heatwaves, or by lowering temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius when cold damp air blows from the northwest, creating a coldwave or cold spell. However, these phenomena do not last for more than two to five days on average.
Climate changeis expected to significantly impact Morocco on multiple dimensions. As a coastal country with hot and arid climates, environmental impacts are likely to be wide and varied. As of the 2019Climate Change Performance Index, Morocco was ranked second inpreparedness behind Sweden.
Morocco has a wide range ofbiodiversity. It is part of theMediterranean basin, an area with exceptional concentrations of endemic species undergoing rapid rates of habitat loss, and is therefore considered to be a hotspot for conservation priority.Avifaunaare notably variant.The avifauna of Morocco includes a total of 454 species, five of which have beenintroducedby humans, and 156 are rarely or accidentally seen.Morocco is home to six terrestrial ecoregions:Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests,Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe,Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets,Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe,Mediterranean woodlands and forestsandNorth Saharan steppe and woodlands.
TheBarbary lion, hunted to extinction in the wild, was a subspecies native to Morocco and is a national emblem.The last Barbary lion in the wild was shot in the Atlas Mountains in 1922.The other two primary predators of northern Africa, theAtlas bearandBarbary leopard, are now extinct and critically endangered, respectively. Relic populations of theWest African crocodilepersisted in theDraa riveruntil the 20th century.The Barbary macaque, a primate endemic to Morocco and Algeria, is also facing extinction due to offtake for tradehuman interruption, urbanisation, wood and real estate expansion that diminish forested area—the macaque's habitat.
Trade of animals and plants for food, pets, medicinal purposes, souvenirs and photo props is common across Morocco, despite laws making much of it illegal.This trade is unregulated and causing unknown reductions of wild populations of native Moroccan wildlife. Because of the proximity of northern Morocco to Europe, species such as cacti, tortoises, mammal skins, and high-value birds (falcons and bustards) are harvested in various parts of the country and exported in appreciable quantities, with especially large volumes of eel harvested – 60 tons exported to the Far East in the period 2009‒2011.
According to the 2022Economist Democracy Index, Morocco is ruled under ahybrid regime, scoring #3 in theMiddle East and North Africa, and #95 in the world.Morocco has a "difficult" ranking on the 2023World Press Freedom Index.
Following the March 1998 elections, a coalition government headed by oppositionsocialistleaderAbderrahmane Youssoufiand composed largely of ministers drawn from opposition parties, was formed. Prime Minister Youssoufi's government was the first ever government drawn primarily from opposition parties, and also represents the first opportunity for a coalition of socialists, left-of-centre, and nationalist parties to be included in the government until October 2002. It was also the first time in the modern political history of the Arab world that the opposition assumed power following an election. The current government is headed byAziz Akhannouch.
TheConstitution of Moroccoprovides for a monarchy with aParliamentand an independentjudiciary. With the2011 constitutional reforms, the King of Morocco retains less executive powers whereas those of the prime minister have been enlarged.The constitution grants the king honorific powers (among other powers); he is both the secular political leader and the "Commander of the Faithful" as a direct descendant of the ProphetMohammed. He presides over the Council of Ministers; appoints the Prime Minister from the political party that has won the most seats in the parliamentary elections, and on recommendations from the latter, appoints the members of the government.
The constitution of 1996 theoretically allowed the king to terminate the tenure of any minister, and after consultation with the heads of the higher and lower Assemblies, to dissolve the Parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree. The only time this happened was in 1965. The King is formally the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Since the constitutional reform of 1996, the bicameral legislature consists of two chambers. TheAssembly of Representatives of Morocco(Majlis an-Nuwwâb/Assemblée des Répresentants) has 395 members elected for a five-year term, 305 elected in multi-seatconstituenciesand 90 in national lists consisting of women and youth.
TheAssembly of Councillors(Majlis al-Mustasharin) has 120 members, elected for a six-year term. 72 members are elected at the regional level, 20 members are elected from trade unions, 8 seats from professional organisations and 20 from wage-earners.
The Parliament's powers, though still relatively limited, were expanded under the 1992 and 1996 and even further in the 2011 constitutional revisions and includebudgetarymatters, approvingbills, questioning ministers, and establishing ad hoc commissions of inquiry to investigate the government's actions. The lower chamber of Parliament may dissolve the government through avote of no confidence.
The latest parliamentary elections were held on8 September 2021. Voter turnout in these elections was estimated to be 50.35% of registered voters.
Morocco is officially divided into 12regions,which, in turn, are subdivided into62 provinces and 13 prefectures.
Regions
Morocco is a member of theUnited Nationsand belongs to theAfrican Union(AU),Arab League,Arab Maghreb Union(UMA),Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC), theNon-Aligned Movementand theCommunity of Sahel–Saharan States(CEN–SAD). Morocco's relationships vary greatly between African, Arab and Western states. Morocco has had strong ties to the West in order to gain economic and political benefits.France and Spain remain the primary trade partners, as well as the primary creditors and foreign investors in Morocco. From the total foreign investments in Morocco, theEuropean Unioninvests approximately 73.5%, whereas the Arab world invests only 19.3%. Many countries from thePersian GulfandMaghrebregions are getting more involved in large-scale development projects in Morocco.
In 2002, adispute with Spain in 2002 over the small island of Perejilarose, which brought attention to the issue of the sovereignty ofMelillaandCeuta.These small enclaves on the Mediterranean coast are surrounded by Morocco and have been under Spanish administration for centuries.
In 2004, theGeorge W. Bush administrationgranted Morocco the status ofmajor non-NATO ally.Morocco was the first country in the world to recognise US sovereignty, in 1777. After gaining independence,Morocco established strong ties with the United States, receiving significant economic and military aid.This partnership flourished during theCold War, with Morocco becoming a key ally against communist expansion inNorth Africa. In return, the US supported Morocco's territorial ambitions and efforts to modernise its economy. Morocco received more than $400 million in American aid between 1957 and 1963, which elevated it to the fifth-largest recipient of US agricultural assistance by 1966. The long-lasting relationship between the two nations has endured, with the US remaining one of Morocco's top allies. Additionally, Morocco is included in the European Union'sEuropean Neighbourhood Policy(ENP), which aims at bringing theEUand its neighbours closer.
Morocco's membership in theAfrican Unionhas been marked by significant events. In 1984, Morocco withdrew from the organisation after it admitted theSahrawi Arab Democratic Republicin 1982 without conducting a referendum of self-determination in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.This decision was made unilaterally by Morocco. However, in 2017, Morocco rejoined the AU, signaling a shift in its diplomatic stance. In November 2020,Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front and the Sahrawi president, unilaterally ended a 29-year-old ceasefire agreement with Morocco overseen by the United Nations.In December 2020, Morocco had started to pursue military cooperation with Israel from a normalization agreement. Algeria backs the Polisario Front of Morocco's breakaway state, theWestern Sahara.In August 2021, Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco.Algerian authorities have accused Rabat of supporting theMovement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie(MAK), which it classifies as a terrorist organisation.
The status of theSaguia el-HamraandRío de Ororegions is disputed. TheWestern Sahara Warsaw thePolisario Front, the Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement, battling both Morocco and Mauritania between 1976 and a ceasefire in 1991. The Moroccan government has stated that their claimed area of Western Sahara is referred to as the "Southern Provinces".A United Nations mission,MINURSO, is tasked with organising a referendum on whether the territory should become independent or recognised as a part of Morocco.
Part of the territory, theFree Zone, is a mostly uninhabited area that the Polisario Front controls as theSahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Its administrative headquarters are located inTindouf, Algeria. As of 2006, noUN member statehad recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.In 2006, the government of Morocco suggestedautonomousstatus for the region through the MoroccanRoyal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs(CORCAS). The project was presented to theUnited Nations Security Councilin mid-April 2007. The proposal was encouraged by Moroccan allies such as the United States, France, and Spain.The Security Council has called upon the parties to enter into direct and unconditional negotiations to reach a mutually accepted political solution.
In 2020, the United States under theTrump administrationbecame the first Western country to back Morocco's contested sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, on the agreement that Morocco would simultaneously normaliserelations with Israel.The Polisario later declared an end to the ceasefire; this led to occasional clashes between the two.TheGuergueratclasheshad led to Morocco launching a military operation inGuerguerat, Western Sahara. Germany's request for consultations has led to Rabat suspending diplomatic ties in retaliation.
Morocco's military consists of the Royal Armed Forces—this includes theArmy(the largest branch), theNavy, theAir Force, theRoyal Guard, theRoyal Gendarmerieand theAuxiliary Forces. Internal security is generally effective, and acts of political violence are rare (with one exception, the2003 Casablanca bombingswhich killed 45 people).
The UN maintains a small observer force in Western Sahara, where a large number of Moroccan troops are stationed. The SahrawiPolisario Frontmaintains an active militia of an estimated 5,000 fighters in Western Sahara and has engaged in intermittent warfare with Moroccan forces since the 1970s.
During the early 1960s to the late 1980s, under the leadership ofHassan II, Morocco had one of the worst human rights records in both Africa and the world. Government repression of political dissent was widespread during Hassan II's leadership, until it dropped sharply in the mid-1990s. The decades during which abuses were committed are referred to as theYears of Lead(les années de plomb), and includedforced disappearances, assassinations of government opponents and protesters, and secret internment camps such asTazmamart. To examine abuses committed during the reign ofKing Hassan II(1961–1999), the government under King Mohammed  set up anEquity and Reconciliation Commission(IER).
According to aHuman Rights Watchannual report in 2016, Moroccan authorities restricted the rights to peaceful expression, association and assembly through several laws. The authorities continue to prosecute both printed and online media which criticises the government or theking(or the royal family).There are also persistent allegations of violence against bothSahrawipro-independenceand pro-Polisariodemonstratorsin Western Sahara; a disputed territory which is occupied by and considered by Morocco as part of itsSouthern Provinces. Morocco has been accused of detaining Sahrawi pro-independence activists as prisoners of conscience.
Homosexual actsas well as pre-marital sex are illegal in Morocco, and can be punishable by six months to three years of imprisonment.It is illegal toproselytisefor any religion other thanIslam(article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code), and that crime is punishable by a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment.Violence against women and sexual harassment have been criminalised. The penalty can be from one month to five years, with fines ranging from $200 to $1,000.It is also a criminal offence in Morocco to undermine the monarchy; in August 2023, a Moroccan resident of Qatar was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for criticising the King's policy decisions on Facebook.
Morocco's economy is considered a relativelyliberal economygoverned by thelaw of supply and demand. Since 1993, the country has followed a policy ofprivatisationof certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of thegovernment.Morocco has become a major player in African economic affairs,and is thesixth largest economy in Africaby GDP (PPP). Morocco was ranked as the first African country by theEconomist Intelligence Unit'squality-of-life index, ahead ofSouth Africa.However, in the years since that first-place ranking was given, Morocco has slipped into fourth place behindEgypt.
Government reforms and steady yearly growth in the region of 4–5% from 2000 to 2007, including 4.9% year-on-year growth in 2003–2007 helped the Moroccan economy to become much more robust compared to a few years earlier. For 2012, the World Bank forecast a rate of 4% growth for Morocco and 4.2% for following year, 2013.Between 2000 and 2019, the share of Moroccan workers in agriculture declined, while those that are in industry increased.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in the Moroccan economy.It is a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. In 2022, tourism in Morocco had surpassed the average number of visitors in the 2010s, while setting an all-time high in 2023 with 14.5 million international tourist arrivals and MAD 104.7 billion in receipts.In 2010, the government launched its Vision 2020, which plans to make Morocco one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world and to double the annual number of international arrivals to 20 million by 2020.In November 2024, Morocco had nearly 16 million tourists visiting that contributed to 7% of its GDP.
Tourism is increasingly focused on Morocco's culture, such as its ancient cities. The modern tourist industry capitalises on Morocco's ancient and Islamic sites and on its landscape and cultural history. 60% of Morocco's tourists visit for its culture and heritage. Agadir is a major coastal resort and has a third of all Moroccan bed nights.It is a base for tours to the Atlas Mountains.Other resorts in northern Morocco are also very popular.
Large government sponsored marketing campaigns to attract tourists advertised Morocco as an inexpensive and exotic, yet safe, place for tourists. Most of the visitors to Morocco continue to be European, with French nationals making up almost 20% of all visitors. Most Europeans visit between April and August.Casablanca is the major cruise port in Morocco, and has a developed market for tourists in Morocco. The Majorelle botanical garden in Marrakech is a popular tourist attraction. It was bought by the fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980.As of 2006, activity and adventure tourism in the Atlas and Rif Mountains are the fastest growth area in Moroccan tourism. These locations have walking and trekking opportunities from late March to mid-November. The government is investing in trekking circuits. They are also developing desert tourism in competition withTunisia.
According to theGlobal Competitiveness Reportof 2019, Morocco Ranked 32nd in the world in terms of Roads, 16th in Sea, 45th in Air and 64th in Railways. This gives Morocco the best infrastructure rankings in the African continent.To meet the growing domestic demand, the Moroccan government invested more than $15 billion from 2010 to 2015 in upgrading its basic infrastructure.Morocco also has the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean,Tanger-Med, which is ranked the 18th in the world with a handling capacity of over 9 million containers. It is situated in the Tangier free economic zone and serves as a logistics hub for Africa and the world.
In 2014, Morocco began the construction of the firsthigh-speed railway system in Africa linking the cities of Tangier and Casablanca. It was inaugurated in 2018 by the King following over a decade of planning and construction by Moroccan national railway companyOffice National des Chemins de Fer(ONCF).It is the first phase of what is planned to eventually be a 1,500 kilometeres (930 mi) high-speed rail network in Morocco. An extension of the line to Marrakesh is already being planned. TheMoroccan Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logisticsaims to build an additional 3,380 kilometers of expressway and 2,100 kilometers of highway by 2030 withSNCF; the project came at an expected cost of US$9.6 billion. The project also involved purchasing 18 high-speed trains and 150 multi-service trains.
In 2008, about 56% of Morocco's electricity supply was provided by coal.However, as forecasts indicate that energy requirements in Morocco will rise 6% per year between 2012 and 2050,a new law passed encouraging Moroccans to look for ways to diversify the energy supply, including morerenewable resources. The Moroccan government has launched a project to build asolar thermal energypower plantand is also looking into the use of natural gas as a potential source of revenue for Morocco's government.
Morocco has embarked upon the construction of largesolar energyfarms to lessen dependence on fossil fuels, and to eventually export electricity toEurope.On 17 April 2022, Rabat-Moroccan agency for solar energy (Masen) and the ministry of energy transition and sustainable development announced the launch of phase one of the mega project Nor II solar energy plant which is a multi-site solar energy project with a total capacity set at 400megawatts(MN).
Since the 7th century,cannabishas been cultivated in theRifregion.In 2004, according to the UN World Drugs Report, cultivation and transformation of cannabis represents 0.57% of the national GDP of Morocco in 2002.According to a French Ministry of the Interior 2006 report, 80% of the cannabis resin (hashish) consumed in Europe comes from the Rif region in Morocco, which is mostly mountainous terrain in the north of Morocco, also hosting plains that are very fertile and expanding from Melwiyya River andRas Kebdanain the East to Tangier andCape Spartelin the West. Also, the region extends from the Mediterranean in the south, home of the Wergha River, to the north.In addition to that, Morocco is a transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe.
Water supply and sanitation in Morocco are provided by a wide array of utilities. They range from private companies in the largest city—Casablanca, Rabat, and two other cities—to public municipal utilities in 13 other cities, as well as a national electricity and water company.Morocco's Office National de l’Eau Potable (ONEP) is in charge of bulk water supply in about 500 towns.According to a study by the National Liquid Sanitation Master Plan (SNDAL) that started in 1994, only 15 of their 63 treatment plants are operational, and out of approximately 500million cubic meters of wastewater generated annually, 95% is discharged untreated into natural water bodies.
There have been substantial improvements in access to water supply, and to a lesser extent to sanitation, over the past fifteen years. Remaining challenges include a low level of wastewater treatment (only 13% of collected wastewater is being treated), lack of house connections in the poorest urban neighbourhoods and limited sustainability of rural systems (20% of rural systems are estimated not to function). In 2005, a National Sanitation Programme was approved that aims at treating 60% of collected wastewater and connecting 80% of urban households to sewers by 2020.The issue of lack of water connections for some of the urban poor is being addressed as part of theNational Human Development Initiative, under which residents of informal settlements have received land titles and have fees waived that are normally paid to utilities in order to connect to the water and sewer network. An investment programme of about MAD 15 billion was made to cover the centres managed by ONEP from 2003–2017.Japanese and Canadian cooperators andAFESDhave also financed several projects for ONEP.
Though, between 1960 and 2020, the per capita availability ofrenewablewater resources went from 2,560mto about 620mper person annually. The World Bank has reported that they have supported theNoorSolar Powerproject in Morocco with US$700 million in financing the project "To address water scarcity and its impacts on agriculture".
TheMoroccan governmenthas been implementing reforms to improve the quality of education and make research more responsive to socio-economic needs. In May 2009, Morocco's prime minister,Abbas El Fassi, announced that investment in science and technology would rise from US$620,000 in 2008 to US$8.5 million (69 million Moroccan dirhams) in 2009 to finance the laboratories construction, training courses for researchers and a scholarship programme for science during a meeting at the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research.Morocco was ranked 66th in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024,an increase in ranking from 2020 at 75th.
TheMoroccan Innovation Strategywas launched at the country's first National Innovation Summit in June 2009 by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Investment and the Digital Economy. TheMoroccan Innovation Strategyfixed the target of producing 1,000 Moroccan patents and creating 200 innovative start-ups by 2014. In 2012, Moroccan inventors applied for 197 patents, up from 152 two years earlier. In 2011, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and New Technologies created a Moroccan Club of Innovation, in partnership with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property. The idea is to create a network of players in innovation to help them develop innovative projects.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is supporting research in advanced technologies. TheMoroccan Phosphate Office(Office chérifien des phosphates) has invested in a project to develop asmart city, King Mohammed VI Green City, around Mohammed VI University located between Casablanca and Marrakesh,at a cost of DH 4.7 billion (circa US$479 million).In 2012, theHassan II Academy of Sciences and Technologiesidentified a number of sectors where Morocco has a comparative advantage and skilled human capital, including mining, fisheries, food chemistry and new technologies. It also identified a number of strategic sectors, such as renewable energies, health sectors, the environment and geosciences.
On 20 May 2015, less than a year after its inception, the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research presented a report to the king offering aVision for Education in Morocco 2015–2030. The report advocated making education egalitarian and, thus, accessible to the greatest number. The report also recommended developing an integrated national innovation system which would be financed by gradually increasing the share of GDP devoted to research and development (R&D) from 0.73% of GDP in 2010 to '1% in the short term, 1.5% by 2025 and 2% by 2030'.As of 2015, Morocco had three technoparks. Since the first technopark was established in Rabat in 2005, a second has been set up in Casablanca, followed, in 2015, by a third in Tangers. The technoparks host start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises specialising ininformation and communication technologies(ICTs), 'green' technologies (namely,environmentally friendly technologies) and cultural industries.According to Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale,patent filingin Morocco grew by 167% during the period 2015–2019.
In 2024, Morocco is among the top four most-connected populations of a country to the Internet in Africa by number of population.In 2022, the number of internet users in Morocco reached around 31.6 million.Later, as of January 2024, Morocco had approximately 34.5 million internet users; it has apenetration rateof about 90.7%.Morocco has several Internet-related projects; an example of such is the National Digital Development Strategy 2030.In 2024, as part of another program called the Connected Campus, the American wireless network providerCambium Networksdeployed 18,000Wi-Fi access pointsfor public universities in Morocco.
Morocco has a population of around 37,076,584 inhabitants (2021 estimate).Morocco's population was 11.6 million in 1960.In 2024, 49.7% of the population is female, while 50.3% of it is male.According to the 2014 Morocco population census, there were around 84,000 immigrants in the country. Of these foreign-born residents, most were ofFrenchorigin, followed by individuals mainly from various nations in West Africa and Algeria.There are also a number of foreign residents ofSpanishorigin. Some of them are descendants of colonial settlers, who primarily work for European multinational companies, while others are married to Moroccans or are retirees. Prior to independence, Morocco was home to half a millionEuropeans, most of whom wereChristians.Also, prior to independence, Morocco was home to 250,000 Spaniards.Morocco's once prominentJewishminority has decreased significantly since its peak of 265,000 in 1948, declining to around 3,500 in 2022.
Morocco has a largediaspora, most of which is located in France, which has reportedly over one million Moroccans of up to the third generation. There are also large Moroccan communities in Spain (about 700,000 Moroccans),the Netherlands (360,000), and Belgium (300,000).Other large communities can be found in Italy, Canada, the United States and Israel, whereMoroccan Jewsare thought to constitute the second biggest Jewish ethnic subgroup.Morocco is also the country with the largest Berber population in the world,with estimates typically ranging between 40–60% of the population.
In Morocco,ethnic identityis deeply intertwined with language and culture, with the population primarily comprising two major groups:ArabsandBerbers.However, theHigher Planning Commission, the country’s state statistics bureau, does not collect data on ethnic demographics, citing the historical difficulty of distinguishing between Arabs and Berbers, even among Berber speakers.
Arabsform the largest and majorityethnic group,making up between 65%and 80%of the Moroccan population. It is estimated that the indigenousBerbersconstitute between 30%and 35% of the population.Berbers, who are also known as Amazigh, are typically divided into three main groups with varying dialects who live spread out in rural mountain areas, namely theRifiansin theRif, theZayanesin theMiddle Atlas, and theShilha peoplein theAnti-Atlas.Since the 7th century, theinflux of Arab migrantsfrom theArabian Peninsulahas contributed to shaping Morocco’s demographic, cultural, and genetic landscape.Additionally, a considerable portion of the population includesHaratin,Sahrawis, andGnawa, descendants of West African or mixed-raceenslaved peoples, as well asMoriscos, European Muslims expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 17th century.
According toEncyclopædia Britannica, 44% of Moroccans are Arab, 24% areArabized Berbers, 21% are Berbers and 10% are Mauritanian Moors.Additionally,Minority Rights Group Internationalestimates that around 90,000Sahrawisreside in internationally recognized Morocco, compared to approximately 190,000 in the disputed Western Sahara.
The religious affiliation in the country was estimated by thePew Forumin 2010 as 99%Muslim, with all remaining groups accounting for less than 1% of the population.Of those affiliated with Islam, virtually all areSunni Muslims, withShia Muslimsaccounting for less than 0.1%.However, nearly 15% of Moroccans nonetheless describe themselves as non religious according to a 2018 survey conducted by the research network Arab Barometer; the same survey saw nearly 100 percent of respondents identify as Muslims.Another 2021 Arab Barometer survey found that 67.8% of Moroccans identified as religious, 29.1% as somewhat religious, and 3.1% as non religious.The 2015Gallup Internationalpoll reported that 93% of Moroccans considered themselves to be religious.
Prior to Morocco's independence in 1956, the country was home to a significantChristian community, numbering over500,000 Christians, predominantly of Spanish and French ancestry.These Catholic settlers had a historic legacy and a powerful presence.However, following Morocco's independence, many of these Christian settlers left to Spain or France.The predominantlyCatholicandProtestantforeign-residentChristiancommunity consists of approximately 40,000 practising members. Most foreign residentChristiansreside in theCasablanca,Tangier,MarrakeshandRabaturban areas.Meanwhile, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimates there are 25,000 Christian citizens.
Before thefoundingof theState of Israelin 1948, there were about265,000 Jewsin the country, which gave Morocco the largest Jewish community in theMuslim world. The most recent estimates put the size of the historic Casablanca Jewish community at about 2,500,and the Rabat and Marrakesh Jewish communities at about 100 members each. The remainder of the Jewish population is dispersed throughout the country. This population is mostly elderly, with a decreasing number of young people.TheBaháʼí Faithcommunity, located in urban areas, numbers 350 to 400 persons.
Morocco's official languages areArabicandBerber.The country's distinctive group of Moroccan Arabic dialects is referred to asDarija.Approximately 92.7% of the whole population can speak Arabic. Berber languages are spoken by 24.8% of the population in three dialects (Tarifitspoken by 3.2%,Tashelhitspoken by 14.2% andCentral Atlas Tamazightspoken by 7.4%).According to the2024 census, 99.2%, or almost the entire literate population of Morocco, could read and write in Arabic, whereas 1.5% of the population could read and write in Berber. The census also reported that 80.6% of Moroccans consider Arabic to be their native language, while 18.9% regard any of the various Berber languages as their mother tongue.After Morocco declared independence in 1956, French and Arabic became the main languages of administration and education.
Frenchis widely used in governmental institutions, media, mid-size and large companies, international commerce with French-speaking countries and often in international diplomacy.French is taught as an obligatory language in all schools. According to the 2004 census, 2.19 million Moroccans spoke a foreign language other than French.English, while far behind French in terms of number of speakers, is the first foreign language of choice, since French is obligatory, among educated youth and professionals. In 2010, there were 10,366,000 French-speakers in Morocco, or about 32% of the population.
According toEthnologue, as of 2016, there are 1,536,590 individuals (or approximately 4.5% of the population) in Morocco who speakSpanish.Spanish is mostly spoken in northern Morocco and the formerSpanish Saharabecause Spain had previously occupied those areas.Meanwhile, a 2018 study by theInstituto Cervantesfound 1.7 million Moroccans who were at least proficient in Spanish, placing Morocco as the country with the most Spanish speakers outside the Hispanophone world (unless the United States is also excluded from Spanish-speaking countries).A significant portion of northern Morocco receives Spanish media, television signal and radio airwaves, which reportedly facilitate competence in the language in the region.
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school. The estimatedliteracyrate for the country in 2012 was 72%.In September 2006, UNESCO awarded Morocco, amongst other countries such asCuba,Pakistan,IndiaandTurkey, the "UNESCO 2006 Literacy Prize".
Morocco has more thanfour dozen universities, institutes of higher learning and polytechnics dispersed at urban centres throughout the country. Its leading institutions includeMohammed V Universityin Rabat, the country's largest university, with branches in Casablanca and Fès; the Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, which conducts leading social science research in addition to its agricultural specialties; andAl-Akhawayn Universityin Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa,inaugurated in 1995 with contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Theal-Qarawiyin University, founded byFatima al-Fihriin the city of Fez in 859 as amadrasa,is considered by some sources, includingUNESCO, to be the "oldest university of the world".Morocco has also some of prestigious postgraduate schools, including:Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, l'Institut national des postes et télécommunications[fr;ar],École Nationale Supérieure d'Électricité et de Mecanique(ENSEM),EMI,ISCAE,INSEA,National School of Mineral Industry,École Hassania des Travaux Publics, Les Écoles nationales de commerce et de gestion and École supérieure de technologie de Casablanca.
Many efforts are made by countries around the world to address health issues and eradicate disease, Morocco included. Morocco is a developing country that has made many strides to improve these categories. According to research published, in 2005, only 16% of citizens in Morocco had health insurance or coverage.In data from the World Bank, Morocco experiences high infant mortality rates at 20 deaths per 1,000 births (2017)and high maternal mortality rates at 121 deaths per 100,000 births (2015).
The government of Morocco sets up surveillance systems within the already existing healthcare system to monitor and collect data. Mass education in hygiene is implemented in primary education schools which are free for residents of Morocco. In 2005, the government of Morocco approved two reforms to expand health insurance coverage.The first reform was a mandatory health insurance plan for public and private sector employees to expand coverage from 16 percent of the population to 30 percent. The second reform created a fund to cover services for the poor. Both reforms improved access to high-quality care. Infant mortality has improved significantly since 1960 when there were 144 deaths per 1,000 live births, in 2000, 42 per 1,000 live births, and it is 15 per 1,000 live births in 2022.The country's under-five mortality rate dropped by 60% between 1990 and 2011.
According to data from the World Bank,the present mortality rate is still very high, over seven times higher than in neighbouring country Spain. In 2014, Morocco adopted a national plan to increase progress on maternal and child health.The Moroccan Plan was started by the Moroccan Minister of Health, El Houssaine Louardi and Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, on 13 November 2013 in Rabat.Morocco has made significant progress in reducing deaths among both children and mothers. Based on World Bank data, the nation's maternal mortality ratio fell by 67% between 1990 and 2010.
In 2014, spending on healthcare accounted for 5.9% of the country's GDP.Since 2014, spending on healthcare as part of the GDP has decreased. However, health expenditure per capita (PPP) has steadily increased since 2000. In 2015, the Moroccan health expenditure was $435.29 per capita.In 2016, the life expectancy at birth was 74.3, or 73.3 for men and 75.4 for women, and there were 6.3 physicians and 8.9 nurses and midwives per 10,000 inhabitants.In 2024, according to theWorld Factbook, life expectancy for Morocco is 74.2 years.
Morocco is a country with a richcultureandcivilisation.ThroughMoroccan history, it has hosted many people. Culturally speaking, Morocco has combined its Arabic, Berber and Jewish cultural heritage with external influences such as the French and the Spanish and, during the last decades, the Anglo-American lifestyles.Since independence, painting and sculpture, music, amateur theatre and filmmaking have developed.The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works. Art and music festivals take place throughout the country during the summer months, among them theWorld Sacred Music Festival at Fès.
Moroccan literatureis written mostly in Arabic, Berber, Hebrew and French. Particularly under theAlmoravidandAlmohadempires, Moroccan literature was closely related to theliterature of al-Andalus, and shared important poetic and literary forms such aszajal, themuwashshahand themaqama. Islamic literature, such asQuranic exegesesand other religious works such asQadi Ayyad'sAl-Shifa, were influential. TheUniversity of al-Qarawiyyinin Fes was an important literary centre attracting scholars from abroad, includingMaimonides,Ibn al-Khatib, andIbn Khaldun.
Under theAlmohaddynasty Morocco experienced a period of prosperity and brilliance of learning. The Almohad built theKutubiyya Mosquein Marrakesh, which accommodated no fewer than 25,000 people, but was also famed for its books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops, which gave it its name; the first bookbazaarin history. The Almohad CaliphAbu Yakubhad a great love for collecting books. He founded a great library, which was eventually carried to theCasbahand turned into apublic library.
Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. Two main factors gave Morocco a pulse toward witnessing the birth of modern literature. Morocco, as aFrenchandSpanish protectorateleft Moroccan intellectuals the opportunity to exchange and to produce literary works freely with the contact of otherArabic literatureand Europe. Three generations of writers especially shaped 20th century Moroccan literature.The first was the generation that lived and wrote during theProtectorate(1912–1956), its most important representative beingMohammed Ben Brahim(1897–1955). The second generation played an important role in the transition to independence, with writers likeAbdelkrim Ghallab(1919–2006),Allal al-Fassi(1910–1974) andMohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi(1900–1963). The third generation is that of writers of the sixties. Moroccan literature had writers such asMohamed Choukri,Driss Chraïbi,Mohamed ZafzafandDriss El Khouri.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers asPaul Bowles,Tennessee WilliamsandWilliam S. Burroughs. Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such asMohamed ZafzafandMohamed Choukri, who wrote in Arabic, andDriss ChraïbiandTahar Ben Jellounwho wrote in French. Other important Moroccan authors include:Abdellatif Laabi,Abdelkrim Ghallab,Fouad Laroui,Mohammed BerradaandLeila Abouzeid. Orature (oral literature) is also an integral part of Moroccan culture, be it in Moroccan Arabic or Berber.
Moroccan music is of Arabic, Berber and sub-Saharan origins. Rock-influencedchaabibands are widespread, as istrance musicwith historical origins inIslamic music. Amazigh people have also played music using alotar, a type of lute from the Rwais tribe in the High Atlas mountains. The lotar is usually played by a duo, which may also include arebab.The Berber music is usuallymonodicwith a pentatonic scale system.Malḥūnpoetry in oral form is also accompanied by traditional instruments, such as lutes, violins, rebabs and small drums.
Aitais aBedouinmusical style sung in the countryside.Chaabi("popular") is music consisting of numerous varieties that are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting. Morocco is also home toAndalusian classical musicthat is found throughout Northwest Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors inCordoba, and the Persian-born musicianZiryabis usually credited with its invention.A genre known as Contemporary Andalusian music is the brainchild ofMoriscovisual artist, composer andoudistTarik Banzi, founder of the Al-Andalus Ensemble. Artists likeNass El GhiwaneandJil Jilalamix traditional styles with modern influences. Popular Western forms of music are also becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such asfusion, rock,country,metaland, in particular,hip hop.Arabic popartists such asHatim AmmorandElGrandeTotoare well-known.
Cinema in Morocco has a long history, stretching back over a century to the filming ofLe chevrier Marocain("The Moroccan Goatherd") byLouis Lumièrein 1897. Between that time and 1944, many foreign movies were shot in the country, especially in theOuarzazatearea. In 1944, theMoroccan Cinematographic Centre[fr](CCM), the nation's filmregulatory agency, was established. Studios were also opened in Rabat.
In 1952,Orson Welles'Othellowon thePalme d'Orat theCannes Film Festivalunder the Moroccan flag. However, the Festival's musicians did not play theMoroccan national anthem, as no one in attendance knew what it was.Six years later, Mohammed Ousfour would create the first Moroccan movie,Le fils maudit("The Damned Son"). In 1968, the first Mediterranean Film Festival was held in Tangier. In its current incarnation, the event is held inTetouan. This was followed in 1982 with the first national festival of cinema, which was held in Rabat. In 2001, the firstInternational Film Festival of Marrakech(FIFM) was held inMarrakech. Some of Moroccan television channels include2M,Al Aoula(Societe Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Television) andMedi 1 TV.
Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. This is a result of the centuries-long interaction of Morocco with the outside world.The cuisine of Morocco is mainly a fusion of Moorish, European and Mediterranean cuisines. Spices are used extensively in Moroccan cuisine. While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many ingredients such assaffronfromTiliouine,mintandolivesfromMeknes, and oranges and lemons from Fez, are home-grown.
Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Morocco. The most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco is beef;lambis preferred but is relatively expensive.The main Moroccan dish most people are familiar with iscouscous,the old national delicacy. Beef is the most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco, usually eaten in a tagine with vegetables or legumes. Chicken is also very commonly used in tagines; one of the most famous tagine is the tagine of chicken, potatoes and olives.Lambis also consumed, but as Northwest African sheep breeds store most of their fat in their tails, Moroccan lamb does not have the pungent flavour that Westernlamb and muttonhave. Poultry is also very common, and the use of seafood is increasing in Moroccan food. In addition, there are dried salted meats and salted preserved meats such as kliia/khliaand "g'did" which are used to flavor tagines or used in "el ghraif", a folded savory Moroccan pancake.
Among the most famous Moroccan dishes areCouscous,Pastilla(also spelled Bsteeya or Bestilla),Tajine,TanjiaandHarira. Although the latter is asoup, it is considered a dish in itself and is served as such or withdatesespecially during the month ofRamadan. Pork consumption is forbidden in accordance withSharia, religious laws of Islam.
A big part of the daily meal is bread. Bread in Morocco is principally from durum wheat semolina known askhobz. Bakeries are very common throughout Morocco and fresh bread is a staple in every city, town and village. The most common is whole grain coarse ground or white flour bread. There are also a number of flat breads and pulled unleavened pan-fried breads. The most popular drink is "atai",green teawith mint leaves and other ingredients.
Football is the country's most popular sport, popular among the urban youth in particular. In 1986, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to qualify for the second round of theFIFA World Cup. Morocco hosted theAfrica Cup of Nationsin1988and will host it again in2025after original host Guinea was stripped from hosting rights due to inadequacy of hosting preparations. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the2015 Africa Cup of Nations,but refused to host the tournament on the scheduled dates because of fears over theEbola outbreakon the continent.Morocco made six attempts to host the FIFA World Cup but lost five times to the United States, France, Germany, South Africa and a Canada–Mexico–United States joint bid, however Morocco will co-host it in2030along withPortugalandSpainhaving finally won the bid in their sixth attempt. In2022, Morocco became the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals and finished 4th in the tournament.
At the1984 Olympic Games, two Moroccans won gold medals in track and field.Nawal El Moutawakelwon in the400 metres hurdles; she was the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal.Saïd Aouitawon the5000 metresat the same games.Hicham El Guerroujwon gold medals for Morocco at the2004 Summer Olympicsin the1500 metresand 5000 metres and holds severalworld recordsin themile run.
Spectator sportsin Morocco traditionally centred on the art ofhorsemanshipuntil European sports—football,polo,swimmingandtennis—were introduced at the end of the 19th century. Tennis andgolfhave become popular.Several Moroccan professional players have competed in international competition, and the country fielded its firstDavis Cupteam in 1999. Morocco established one of Africa's first competitive leagues in basketball.Rugbycame to Morocco in the early 20th century, mainly by the French who occupied the country.As a result,Moroccan rugbywas tied to the fortunes of France, during the first and secondWorld War, with many Moroccan players going away to fight.Like many other Maghreb nations, Moroccan rugby tended to look to Europe for inspiration, rather than to the rest of Africa.Kickboxingis also popular in Morocco.The Moroccan-DutchBadr Hari, heavyweight kickboxer and martial artist, is a former K-1 heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 and 2009 finalist.
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