About Morocco

Situated in North Africa at the western edge of the Islamic world and on the cusp of Western Europe, Morocco’s important strategic location at the southern shore of the Straits of Gibraltar has made the Kingdom a crucial connection between East and West since ancient times.

Around 1100 BC, the Phoenicians established trading settlements along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The territory was added to the Roman Empire after the fall of Carthage in 146 BC. During the 7th and 8th centuries AD, Morocco was conquered by Arab armies and converted to Islam. Gradually, Arabic replaced Berber as the primary spoken language.
By the 16th Century, Morocco had become an important Sultanate confronting Spanish expansion and establishing diplomatic ties with other European states. In 1777, Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, the most progressive of Morocco’s Barbary leaders, was one of the first foreign heads of state to grant diplomatic recognition to the newly independent United States of America.

Gradually, European colonial expansion threatened Moroccan independence. By 1912, the country was partitioned by Spain and France.  Morocco was granted independence in 1956 under King Mohamed V. The Spanish territories were soon incorporated, except for the port cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the Spanish Sahara, which was retained by Madrid until 1975.

The power of Morocco’s monarchy has remained remarkably resilient since independence. After the death of Mohamed V in 1961, the new King, Hassan II, deftly forged an alliance with rural leaders that would pave the way for a successful constitutional referendum in December 1962 and parliamentary elections in April 1963.  The death of Hassan II on July 29, 1999 ushered in an entirely new style of royal leadership. H.M. King Mohammed VI, the late king’s oldest son, implemented a sweeping agenda that sought to reduce social inequalities and implement democratic reforms.
In order to improve the overall living conditions of Morocco’s population and raise national social indicators, King Mohamed VI announced in a royal speech on May 18, 2005 the creation of The National Initiative for Human Development or the INDH. This initiative seeks to establish partnerships between central government institutions, local governments, NGO’s, and community groups. The goal of the INDH aims at creating jobs and activities that will generate income, sponsor cultural and recreational activities for those in need and expand infrastructure.
In an effort to solve the Sahara issue, King Mohammed VI reinvigorated CORCAS (the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs) in March 2005, which is an appointed body of advisors dedicated to the economic and social development of Morocco's southern provinces and to the safeguard of their cultural identity.  CORCAS will offer recommendations to King Mohammed VI in advance of Morocco’s presentation of an autonomy initiative for the disputed territory.

Geography and Tourism

The majority of Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber stock. Most of Morocco’s 32.2 million people live west of the Atlas Mountains, an Alps-like range that shelters the country’s fertile region from the Sahara Desert. Casablanca, an Atlantic seaport and the country’s largest city, is the focal point of business and industry. Rabat, the country’s second largest city, is the seat of government. Tangier, another major seaport, serves as the country’s gateway to Spain and Europe. The “Imperial Cities” of Fès, Marrakech, and Meknès are popular tourist destinations for Morocco’s 5 million annual visitors because of their handicrafts, shopping souks, and ancient architecture.

Morocco is similar in many respects to California; however it only boasts 2,000 miles of coastline. Morocco has some of the most varied geographical attributes of any country in North Africa. It offers deserts, four mountain ranges (winter sports are enjoyed in the Atlas Mountains), over a thousand miles of beaches, and vast expanses of cultivated land that supply Europe with much of its produce. The tremendous recreational and tourism opportunities are rapidly being recognized by Europeans.

Morocco’s climate, like its geography, is remarkably varied. Weather in the coastal regions is mild, but can be cool and wet in the northern areas. The average daily temperature in Tangier and Casablanca ranges from 54° in the winter, to 77° F in the summer. Summer temperatures in inland cities like Marrakech can climb as high as 115° F, while winter temperatures in the Atlas Mountains can fall below freezing.

Local Crafts and Cuisine

Moroccan handicrafts, particularly leatherwear, have been exported from the region since the 16th Century. In addition to leather, other goods include carpets, decorated pottery and ceramics, silver jewelry, embossed brass and copperware, sculpted wood, and basket ware.

Moroccan cuisine is a reflection of the country’s rich cultural history. Many traditional Moroccan dishes, such as couscous, tajine (a meat and vegetable stew) and harira (spicy lentil soup), originated with the Berbers. The Arabs, who invaded Morocco in the 7th Century, enlivened Moroccan cuisine with sweet and sour combinations of spices, nuts, dates, honey, and milk. The Moors of Andalusia offered their neighbors across the Straits of Gibraltar citrus fruit, olives, and olive oil. The Ottomans introduced grilled meat. French colonists left a lasting impression on Moroccan cuisine with gifts of wine and pastries.