Morocco (), officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to the east, and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the south. Mauritania lies to the south of Western Sahara. Morocco also claims the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta, Melilla and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, and several small Spanish-controlled islands off its coast. It spans an area of 446,300 km2 (172,300 sq mi) or 710,850 km2 (274,460 sq mi), with a population of roughly 37 million. Its official and predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Berber; the Moroccan dialect of Arabic and French are also widely spoken. Moroccan identity and culture is a mix of Arab, Berber, and European cultures. Its capital is Rabat, while its largest city is Casablanca.
In a region inhabited since the Paleolithic Era over 300,000 years ago, the first Moroccan state was established by Idris I in 788. It was subsequently ruled by a series of independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as a regional power in the 11th and 12th centuries, under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, when it controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, with Portugal seizing some territory and the Ottoman Empire encroaching from the east. The Marinid and Saadi dynasties 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 expanded diplomatic and commercial relations with the Western world. Morocco's strategic location near the mouth of the Mediterranean drew renewed European interest; in 1912, France and Spain divided the country into respective protectorates, reserving an international 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 the fifth-largest economy in Africa and wields significant influence in both Africa and the Arab world; it is considered a middle power in global affairs and holds membership in the Arab League, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the African Union. Morocco is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The executive branch is led by the King of Morocco and the prime minister, while legislative power is vested in the two chambers of parliament: the House of Representatives and the House 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 the military, foreign policy and religious affairs; he can issue decrees called dahirs, which have the force of law, and can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the prime minister and the president of the constitutional court.
Morocco claims ownership of the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, which it has designated its Southern Provinces. In 1975, after Spain agreed to decolonise the territory and cede its control to Morocco and Mauritania, a guerrilla war broke out between those powers and some of the local inhabitants. In 1979, Mauritania relinquished its claim to 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, and efforts to resolve the dispute have thus far failed to break the political deadlock. (Full article...)
The economy of Morocco is considered a relatively liberal economy, governed by the law of supply and demand. Since 1993, Morocco has followed a policy of privatization of certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of the government. Morocco has become a major player in African economic affairs, and is the 5th largest African economy by GDP (PPP). The World Economic Forum placed Morocco as the 1st most competitive economy in North Africa, in its African Competitiveness Report 2014–2015.
The services sector accounts for just over half of the GDP. The industry sector– consisting of mining, construction and manufacturing – is an additional quarter. The sectors that recorded the highest growth are the tourism, telecoms, and textile sectors. Morocco, however, still depends to an inordinate degree on agriculture, which accounts for around 14% of GDP but employs 40–45% of the Moroccan population. With a semi-arid climate, it is difficult to assure good rainfall and Morocco's GDP varies depending on the weather. Fiscal prudence has allowed for consolidation, with both the budget deficit and debt falling as a percentage of GDP.
The economic system of the country is characterized by a large opening towards the outside world. In the Arab world, Morocco has the second-largest non-oil GDP, behind Egypt, as of 2017. ( Full article...)
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The following are images from various Morocco-related articles on Wikipedia.
Image 1A group performing Gnawa in Zagora, South Eastern Morocco near the Algerian border (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 2Destruction of Casablanca caused by the 1907 French bombardment. (from History of Morocco)
Image 20Sultan Abd-el-Aziz with his bicycle in 1901. The young sultan was noted for his capricious spending habits, which exacerbated a major trade deficit. (from History of Morocco)
Image 22Couscous is traditionally enjoyed on Friday, the holy day in Islam. Garnished with vegetables and chickpeas, it is served communally. (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 25The Berber entrepot Sijilmassa along the trade routes of the Western Sahara, c. 1000–1500. Goldfields are indicated by light brown shading. (from History of Morocco)
Image 26The ancient harbor at the Bou Regreg, taken from Salé facing Rabat (from History of Morocco)
Image 33French artillery in Rabat in 1911. The dispatch of French forces to protect the sultan from a rebellion instigated the Agadir Crisis. (from History of Morocco)
Image 44A woman's hendira, woven out of wool in the early 20th century (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 47A window displaying a wrought iron window grill in Asila. The knots are tied with bent metal in the traditional way, rather than soldered. (from Culture of Morocco)
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This is a Good article, an article that meets a core set of high editorial standards.
The Bombardment of Salé was a French naval attack against the Moroccan city of Salé that took place between 26 and 27 November 1851. After seven hours of fighting, the Moroccan artillery suffered severe damage, and the French bombarded the city through the night, damaging the city's infrastructure and the Great Mosque of Salé.
During seven hours of clashes, the Moroccan artillery of Salé supported by that of Rabat and led by the Abdelhadi Zniber suffered significant damage. The French squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Louis Dubourdieu bombarded the city until the next day, seriously damaging the city's infrastructure, including the Great Mosque which was seriously affected. ( Full article...)
Rank
|
City
|
Population (2014 census)
|
Region
|
1 |
Casablanca |
3,359,818 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
2 |
Fez |
1,112,072 |
Fès-Meknès
|
3 |
Tangier |
947,952 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
4 |
Marrakesh |
928,850 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
5 |
Salé |
890,403 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
6 |
Meknes |
632,079 |
Fès-Meknès
|
7 |
Rabat |
577,827 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
8 |
Oujda |
494,252 |
Oriental
|
9 |
Kenitra |
431,282 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
10 |
Agadir |
421,844 |
Souss-Massa
|
11 |
Tetouan |
380,787 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
12 |
Temara |
313,510 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
13 |
Safi |
308,508 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
14 |
Mohammedia |
208,612 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
15 |
Khouribga |
196,196 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
16 |
El Jadida |
194,934 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
17 |
Beni Mellal |
192,676 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
18 |
Aït Melloul |
171,847 |
Souss-Massa
|
19 |
Nador |
161,726 |
Oriental
|
20 |
Dar Bouazza |
151,373 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
21 |
Taza |
148,456 |
Fès-Meknès
|
22 |
Settat |
142,250 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
23 |
Berrechid |
136,634 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
24 |
Khemisset |
131,542 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
25 |
Inezgane |
130,333 |
Souss-Massa
|
26 |
Ksar El Kebir |
126,617 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
27 |
Larache |
125,008 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
28 |
Guelmim |
118,318 |
Guelmim-Oued Noun
|
29 |
Khenifra |
117,510 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
30 |
Berkane |
109,237 |
Oriental
|
31 |
Taourirt |
103,398 |
Oriental
|
32 |
Bouskoura |
103,026 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
33 |
Fquih Ben Salah |
102,019 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
34 |
Dcheira El Jihadia |
100,336 |
Souss-Massa
|
35 |
Oued Zem |
95,267 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
36 |
El Kelaa Des Sraghna |
95,224 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
37 |
Sidi Slimane |
92,989 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
38 |
Errachidia |
92,374 |
Drâa-Tafilalet
|
39 |
Guercif |
90,880 |
Oriental
|
40 |
Oulad Teima |
89,387 |
Souss-Massa
|
41 |
Ben Guerir |
88,626 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
42 |
Tifelt |
86,709 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
43 |
Lqliaa |
83,235 |
Souss-Massa
|
44 |
Taroudant |
80,149 |
Souss-Massa
|
45 |
Sefrou |
79,887 |
Fès-Meknès
|
46 |
Essaouira |
77,966 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
47 |
Fnideq |
77,436 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
48 |
Sidi Kacem |
75,672 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
49 |
Tiznit |
74,699 |
Souss-Massa
|
50 |
Tan-Tan |
73,209 |
Guelmim-Es Semara
|
51 |
Ouarzazate |
71,067 |
Drâa-Tafilalet
|
52 |
Souk El Arbaa |
69,265 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
53 |
Youssoufia |
67,628 |
Marrakesh-Safi
|
54 |
Lahraouyine |
64,821 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
55 |
Martil |
64,355 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
56 |
Ain Harrouda |
62,420 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
57 |
Suq as-Sabt Awlad an-Nama |
60,076 |
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
|
58 |
Skhirat |
59,775 |
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
|
59 |
Ouazzane |
59,606 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
60 |
Benslimane |
57,101 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
61 |
Al Hoceima |
56,716 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
62 |
Beni Ansar |
56,582 |
Oriental
|
63 |
M'diq |
56,227 |
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
|
64 |
Sidi Bennour |
55,815 |
Casablanca-Settat
|
65 |
Midelt |
55,304 |
Drâa-Tafilalet
|
66 |
Azrou |
54,350 |
Fès-Meknès
|
67 |
Drargua |
50,946 |
Souss-Massa
|
|
---|
Subdivisions | |
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History and archaeology | |
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Economy | |
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Transport | |
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Roads and streets | |
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Education |
- Colleges and universities
- Primary and secondary schools
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Sports | |
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Landmarks | |
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People | |
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Sources
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Casablanca as 3,359,818, which corresponds to the population of Casablanca Prefecture.
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Fez as 1,112,072, which corresponds to the combined population of those parts of Fez Prefecture not within the cercle of Fez Banlieue ("suburbs").
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Tangier as 947,952, which corresponds to the combined population of the four arrondissements of Bni Makada, Charf-Mghogha, Charf-Souani and Tanger-Médina.
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Marrakesh as 928,850, which corresponds to the combined population of the municipality of Méchouar-Kasba and the five arrondissements of Annakhil, Gueliz, Marrakech-Médina, Ménara and Sidi Youssef Ben Ali.
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Salé as 890,403, which corresponds to the combined population of the five arrondissements of Bab Lamrissa, Bettana, Hssaine, Layayda and Tabriquet.
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Meknes as 632,079, which corresponds to the combined population of the municipalities of Meknes, Al Machouar – Stinia, Toulal and Ouislane.
- ^ In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Rabat as 577,827, which corresponds to the population of Rabat Prefecture.
- ^ The population figure refers only to the urban centre (HCP geographic code [fr] 09.001.05.09.3) of the rural commune of Drargua.
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