Morocco gained independence from France in 1956. It has a population of over 37 million and its capital is Rabat. Morocco has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy government with King Mohammed VI as head of state. Islam is the dominant religion in Morocco and Arabic and Berber languages are most commonly spoken. Some famous landmarks include the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the Bahia Palace in Marrakech. Traditional Moroccan cuisine includes dishes like harira soup and couscous.
2. HISTORY AT A
GLANCE
MOROCCO
MAJOR HISTORICAL
DATES
A.D.
YEAR EVENT
1956
2011
2013
2017
End of French protectorate after unrest
and strong nationalist sentiment
Thousands of people rally calling for
political reform and a new constitution
King appoints new government following a
power-sharing deal
New wave of demonstrations in al-
Hoceima over long-standing economic
grievances.
YEAR EVENT
7th and 8th
Centuries
10-17th
Centuries
1860
1912
Arab invasion; Idris founds the first major
Muslim dynasty.
Dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave; Spain
declares war, wins a further enclave
Morocco becomes a French protectorate
under the Treaty of Fez
Dynasties and religious movements come
and go, including the Almoravid movement
3. MAP OF THE COUNTRY
MOROCCO LAND SIZE:
276,564 SQ MILES
5. MOROCCO
QUICK FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate:
Mediterranean in the north, in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air
currents produce fog and heavy dew
Terrain:
mountainous northern coast bordered by large plateaus. the south is mostly low, flat desert
with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces
Population:
37,067,420 (2023 est.)
Capital:
Rabat
6. MOROCCO
QUICK FACTS ECONOMIC DATA
CENTRAL BANK:
MONETARY UNIT:
MONETARY SYMBOL:
Bank Al-Maghrib
Moroccan dirham(MAD)
7. MOROCCO
QUICK FACTS ECONOMIC DATA
NATURAL RESOURCES:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, wheat, sugar beet
MAIN EXPORTS:
cars, fertilizers, insulated wiring, phosphoric acid,
clothing and apparel
MAIN IMPORTS:
refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, natural gas
AMOUNT: $47.078B
COUNTRIES (Top2):Spain, France
AMOUNT: $60.047B
COUNTRIES (Top2): Spain, France
8. MOROCCO
QUICK FACTS
LANGUAGES &
RELIGIONS
Language:Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit),
French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
Religion:Muslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes
Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i)
10. Hassan II Mosque: A mosque overlooking the ocean built to
honor King Mohammed V showcasing Moroccan artisanship.
FAMOUS
LANDMARKS
Chefchaouen Medina: A blue painted mountain village with
artisan shops
MOROCCO
Bahia Palace: A 20 acre palace from the 1860’s with gardens
and 150 rooms and decorated with stained glass windows,
intricate mosaic tiles, and stucco
11. MOROCCO
MODERN CULTURAL
PRACTICES
IMPACT OF THE WORLD
RELIGION OF ISLAM
Quran
Pray in mosques five
times a day (at dawn,
noon, afternoon, sunset,
and evening)
Believe in the All-Knowing God Allah
Believe that Allah’s word was revealed to the
prophet Muhammad
16. MOROCCO
NATIONAL FESTIVALS
& HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAY/FESTIVAL DATE
Anniversary of the
Independence Manifesto
Ramadan Start
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Adha
Hijra New Year
Feast of the Throne
Anniversary of the
Revolution of the King
and the People
The Prophet
Muhammad's Birthday
Jan 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
Jun 18
Jul 8
Jul 30
Aug 20
Sep 17