Claim: Rabat is an African city.

Morocco -LRB- -LSB- məˈrɒkoʊ -RSB- المغرب , lit . `` The West '' ; ; Maroc -RRB- , officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco -LRB- المملكة المغربية , lit . `` The Western Kingdom '' ; ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ -RRB- , is a sovereign country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa . Geographically , Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior , large tracts of desert , and a lengthy coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea .   Morocco has a population of over 33.8 million and an area of 446,550 km2 . Its capital is Rabat , and the largest city is Casablanca . Other major cities include Marrakesh , Tangier , Tetouan , Salé , Fes , Agadir , Meknes , Oujda , Kenitra , and Nador . A historically prominent regional power , Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours . Since the foundation of the first Moroccan state by Idris I in 789 , the country has been ruled by a series of independent dynasties , reaching its zenith under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasty , spanning parts of Iberia and Northwestern Africa . Marinid and Saadi dynasties continued the struggle against foreign domination , and Morocco remained the only North African country to avoid Ottoman occupation . The Alaouite dynasty , the current ruling dynasty , seized power in 1666 . In 1912 Morocco was divided into French and Spanish protectorates , with an international zone in Tangier , and regained its independence in 1956 . Moroccan culture is a blend of Arab , indigenous Berber , Sub-Saharan African , and European influences .   Morocco claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces . Morocco annexed the territory in 1975 , leading to a guerrilla war with indigenous forces until a cease-fire in 1991 . Peace processes have thus far failed to break the political deadlock .   Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament . The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers , especially over the military , foreign policy and religious affairs . Executive power is exercised by the government , while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament , the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors . The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law . He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court .   Morocco 's predominant religion is Islam , and the official languages are Arabic and Tamazight . The Moroccan dialect , referred to as Darija , and French are also widely spoken . Morocco is a member of the Arab League , the Union for the Mediterranean , and the African Union . It has the fifth largest economy of Africa .