Morocco

Situated at the northwestern corner of Africa, Morocco is bordered on the North by the Mediterranean Sea and the two Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on the East and South East by Algeria, on the South by Western Sahara, and on the West by the Atlantic Ocean. Its political, economic, geographical and financial proximity of the European Union contributes to the dynamism of the economy.

The Moroccan economy is fast growing, due to several factors. Among Morocco’s assets count the low cost and the high quality of labour force. Morocco is a leader in turning its phosphate resources into chemicals and fertilizers that are in demand around the globe.

:: Background of Morocco ::

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa’adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco’s sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.

:: Geography of Morocco ::

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara.
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W

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

Area – comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,017.9 km. Border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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.

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 2%
other: 79% (2005)

Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts.
Environment – current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters.
Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling. Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification.

:: People of Morocco ::

Population: 34,343,220 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 5,337,322/female 5,136,156)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 11,015,409/female 11,069,038)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 765,882/female 1,019,412) (2008 est.)

Median age:
total: 24.7 years
male: 24.1 years
female: 25.2 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.505% (2008 est.)
Birth rate: 21.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 38.22 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 41.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 34.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.52 years
male: 69.16 years
female: 74 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.57 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS – adult prévalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS: 15,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS – deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan
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

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.3%
male: 65.7%
female: 39.6% (2004 census)

Geography of Morocco: Important Geographical Information about Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco boasts a great variation in terrain as well as in vegetation, with fertile plains near the Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and and vast stretches of the Sahara Desert. Morocco’s scenery is surprising and beautiful, surpassing all expectations.

The mountainous region of Morocco consists of the Atlas Mountains, high plateaus and valleys. The mountains are often heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter many of the mountains are covered in snow. Peaks reach a maximum elevation of 13,665 feet (4,165 m) in the High Atlas range which is divided into 5 regions stretching from Morocco, through northern Algeria and touching Tunisia. The High Atlas is the highest range, with Jabal Toubkal stretching to 4,165 m. Other spectacular mountains are: Chefchaouen Mountains, Oregano Mountains, Taliouine, Rif Mountains, Sarhro Mountains etc.

The Atlantic is a fairly broad region of low plateaus and level plains which are rich for agriculture, producing most of the country’s fruit and vegetables.Morocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa. Nearly all the permanently flowing rivers, including the Moulouya, Sebou, Oum er Rbia, Tensift, and Sous.

To the south and east lies the spectacular Sahara Desert, the world’s largest hot desert at over 9,000,000 square kilometers. There are streams in the hills and the desert oases support both human and animal life. Some of the sand dunes can reach 180 meters (600 ft) in height. Virtually no rain falls in the Sahar

Information about the Moroccan Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Morocco

:: Meaning of the Moroccan Flag ::

Morocco’s flag was adopted on November 17, 1915 and consists of a red overall background; in the center is a green, five-pointed star, he pentangle Seal of Solomon. The flag’s height is two-thirds of the width.

:: Meaning of the Moroccan Coat of Arms ::

The Moroccan coat of arms was introduced 14 August 1957 and was developed by the graphic artists Gauthier and Hainaut. It shows a green pentagram on a red background before the Atlas Mountains and a rising sun, symbol of the Divine. There is a royal crown on top. Two lions function as the holders of the shield. The ribbon underneath has an Arabic inscription: If you assist God, he will assist you (Quran, Verse 7, Sura 47)

Extensive List of Languages of Morocco: Spoken and Extinct Languages

:: List of Languages ::

Arabic, Hassaniyya [mey] 40,000 in Morocco (1995). Southern Morocco, from Laayoune on down. Alternate names: Sahrawi, Maure, Mauri, Moor, Sulaka, Hasanya, Hassani. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic Arabic, Judeo-Moroccan [aju] 8,925 in Morocco (2000 WCD). Casablanca. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken [ary] 18,800,000 in Morocco (1995). Population total all countries: 19,480,600. Northern Morocco and southern Morocco south of the Atlas Mountains, and including the port cities of the Sahara. Also spoken in Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Netherlands, United Kingdom. Alternate names: Moroccan Arabic, Moroccan Colloquial Arabic, Moroccan Darija, Maghrebi Arabic, Maghribi Colloquial Arabic. Dialects: Rabat-Casablanca Arabic, Fez. Meknes, Tangier, Oujda, Jebli (Jebelia, Jbala), Southern Morocco Arabic, Marrakech. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Arabic, Standard [arb] Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Moroccan Sign Language [xms] Used in Tetouan and other cities. Dialects: Algerian Sign Language has influenced the strong deaf community of 60 to 70 men in the city of Oujda in the north. Lexical similarity less than 50% with American Sign Language. Classification: Deaf sign language

Spanish [spa] 20,000 in Morocco (1993 Johnstone). Melilla and scattered across the north coast. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian

Tachelhit [shi] 3,000,000 in Morocco (1998). Southwestern Morocco, from coast south to Ifni and north to near Agadir, northeast to outskirts of Marrakech, and east to Draa, including the valley of the Sous, and south near the border. Also spoken in Algeria, France. Alternate names: Tashilheet, Tashelheyt, Tachilhit, Tashelhit, Tasoussit, Shilha, Susiua, Southern Shilha. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Atlas

Tamazight, Central Atlas [tzm] 3,000,000 in Morocco (1998). Population total all countries: 3,150,000. Middle Atlas, High Atlas, eastern High Atlas Mountains. 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area. Also spoken in Algeria, France. Alternate names: Central Shilha, Middle Atlas Berber, Shilha. Dialects: Central Atlas, South Oran. Much variety in dialects. May be more than one language. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Atlas

Tarifit [rif] 1,500,000 in Morocco (1991). Population total all countries: 1,700,000. Northern Morocco. The dialects listed are near Al Hoceima. Also spoken in Algeria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain. Alternate names: Rifi, Rifia, Northern Shilha, Shilha. Dialects: Urrighel, Beni Iznassen (Beni Snassen). There may be other dialects. Beni Snassen may be a separate language. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Riff

:: Extinct Languages ::

Ghomara [gho] Extinct. North and west of Tamazight, a small region near Chechaouen, western Rif mountains, Oued Laou Valley. Dialects: Coon says Ghomara is intelligible with Tarifit. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Ghomara

Senhaja de Srair [sjs] Extinct. Northern, west of Tarifit. Alternate names: Sanhaja of Srair, Sinhaja Srir. Dialects: Coon (1939) says it was a separate language from Tarifit. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Riff

:: Reference ::
Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/

Famous Moroccan People: Moroccan Artists, Scientists, Leaders, Musicians, Politicians and Athletes

The magic Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups with a rich culture and civilization. Under the distinguished people who are honored not only in Morocco, but around the globe, count brilliant leaders in different disciplines, heroes of wars, outstanding writers and poets, high-placed officials, legendary figures, artists. They are simply remarkable individuals who have one thing in common: are not easy to stereotype.

:: List of Famous People from Morocco ::

Mohammed Khair Eddine
Mohammed Khair-Eddine is one the most famous Moroccan literary figures of the 20th century. In 1964 Khair-Eddir founded the “Poésie Toute” movement. He was a leader among postindependence Moroccan writers, being a controversial writer who defied conventionalism by raising pertinent sociological and political questions, drawing his inspiration from the people and life around him. Some of his famous works are: Légende et vie d’ Agoun’ chich (Le Seuil, 1984), Résurrection des fleurs sauvages (Éditions Stouky, Rabat, 1981) and many others.

‘Abd al-Karim
Muhammad ‘Abd al-Karim al-Khattabi, 1882?–196), was a hero, a famous fighter for Moroccan independence who led a long campaign in the 1920s against French and Spanish forces. Abd al-Karim has been described by both French colonialist and modern Moroccan nationalist writers as a typical example of Berber resistance to outside authority.

Fatima Al Fihria
Fatima Al Fihria is an example of women who played a very significant in the history of Morocco. She founded the University of Al Karaouine in Fez which is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest university in the world.. Fatima AL Fihria marked the period of islamization and arabization.

Nawal El-Moutawakil
Nawal is one of the most famous sportswomen around the globe, because she won the inaugural women’s 400 m hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, thereby becoming the first Muslim and African female Olympic champion and her medal meant the breakthrough for sporting women in Morocco and other Muslim countries. Nawal El Moutawakel was president of the International Olympic Committee’s evaluation commission for the selection of the town which will hold the Olympic games of 2012.

Mohammed Berrada (Beradah)
Is a Moroccan novelist, literary critic and translator writing in Arabic who is considered to be one of Morocco’s finest modern authors. Qissat al-Ra?s al-Maqtu?a”, The story of the cut-off head, is an excellent illustration of his technique: to rely on symbols for convey the ideas. The absence of free expression in Morocco is portrayed through the surrealistic journey of a cutoff head. Berrada also can be extremely realistic and direct, as in his short story “Dolarat” (Dollars).

Maryam Hassouni
Is a famous Moroccan television and film actress. Maryam won the International Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress (2006) for her role Laila al Gatawi in Offers. The thriller film is a personal drama about suicide bombers and counter-terrorism in Western Europe.

Najib Amhali
Najib Amhali is a Moroccan-born Dutch stand-up comedian and actor. He is considered the number 1 stand-up comedian. In May 2006 Amhali hosted a show about the 2006 FIFA World Cup in which he discussed all aspects of the Dutch team and collected money for charity.

Aziz Bekkaoui
World famous fashion designer, Aziz Bekkaoui, presents his collections on the Paris catwalks since some years and the fashion world is very enthusiastic about his hip, beautiful and unique designs.

Sanaa Hamri
Sanaa Hamri is is one of the few prominent female music video directors and the first Moroccan woman to direct a Hollywood movie. Sting, Destiny’s Child, Lenny Kravitz. Mariah Carey were among other artists to have chosen Sanaa Hamri to direct their video clips for her unique way of capturing scenes