Morocco
sovereign state in North Africa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kingdom of Morocco, or simply known as Morocco (Arabic: المملكة المغربية al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah, lit. "The Western Kingdom"; Berber: ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⴰⵖⵔⵉⴱTageldit n Lmaɣrib), is a sovereign country 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.
Kingdom of Morocco | |
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Motto: الله، الوطن، الملك (Arabic)
Allāh, al-Waṭan, al-Malik ⴰⴽⵓⵛ, ⴰⵎⵓⵔ, ⴰⴳⵍⵍⵉⴷ (Tamazight)
"God, Homeland, King"Akuc, Amur, Agllid | |
Anthem: النشيد الوطني المغربي (Arabic) Cherifian Anthem | |
Capital | Rabat 34°2′N 6°51′W |
Largest city | Casablanca |
Official languages | Arabic and Berber |
National languages |
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Other languages |
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Ethnic groups | 1% Other |
Demonym(s) | Moroccan |
Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy[1] |
• King | Mohammed VI |
Aziz Akhannouch | |
Legislature | Parliament |
House of Councillors | |
House of Representatives | |
Independence | |
• from France | March 2, 1956 |
• from Spain | April 7, 1956 |
Area | |
• Total | 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi)[f] or 710,850 km2 [f] (58th or 40th) |
• Water (%) | 0.056 (250 km2) |
Population | |
• 2013 estimate | 32,878,400 (38th) |
• Density | 73.1/km2 (189.3/sq mi) (122nd) |
GDP (PPP) | 2013 estimate |
• Total | $181.9 billion[2] (56th) |
• Per capita | $5,537[2] (114th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2013 estimate |
• Total | $107.1 billion[2] (59th) |
• Per capita | $3,260[2] (117th) |
Gini (2007) | 40.9[3] medium |
HDI (2013) | 0.591 medium · 130th |
Currency | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
UTC+1 (GMT) | |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +212 |
ISO 3166 code | MA |
Internet TLD | .ma, المغرب. |
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Morocco has a population of over 37 million and an area of 710,850 km2(274,460 sq mi). Its capital is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca. Other major cities include Laayoune, 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 liberated the territory in 1975, leading to a guerrilla war with the Polisario Front 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.