The document provides an overview of Morocco, highlighting its population, capital, languages, and key historical events from the 7th century to modern times. It discusses current issues such as disputes over Western Sahara and economic factors, including main exports and currency. Additionally, it describes aspects of daily life, traditional foods, and significant cultural festivals.

1. Morocco
KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
KNOW YOUR WORLD
A PROGRAM OF GLOBAL TIES AKRON

2. Speaker Profile
(Basic Information…hometown, career, family, etc…)

3. Morocco on the map

4. Basic Information
Full Name: The Kingdom of Morocco
Population:37,457,971 (2022)
Capital: Rabat
Largest city: Casablanca
Major language: Arabic and French
Major religion: Muslim
Life expectancy: Male: 73 , Female:
79
Monetary unit: Moroccan Dirham
GPD per capita: 28,282 MAD
($7,700)
(Adapted from CIA World Factbook)

5. Significant Historic Events
• 7th and 8th centuries: Arab invasions lead to the creation of
the first Muslim Empire.
• 1860s-80s: Disputes arise over Spain’s claims on the northern
tip of Morocco. Spain establishes a protectorate along the
Moroccan coast.
• 1904: France also lays claim to regions of Morocco.
• 1912: France establishes an inland protectorate.
• 1921-26: French and Spanish troops suppress tribal
rebellions.
• 1956: French protectorate ends.
• 1975: Spain leaves what will become Western Sahara.
• 1976: Moroccan and Algerian troops clash over claims in
Western Sahara.
• 1988: Morocco and Algeria resume diplomatic relations.

6. Famous Landmarks

7. Language
Hello: (as-salām 'alaykum) ‫السالم‬
‫عليكم‬
Bye: m - (tosbeho ‘ala khair) ‫تصبح‬
‫على‬
‫خير‬ f - (tosbeheena
‘ala khair) ‫تصبحين‬
‫على‬
‫خير‬
My name is…: (... ismee) ... ‫اسمي‬
Thank you: (shukran) ‫شكرا‬
Please: (mīn fāḍlīkā) ‫من‬
‫فضلك‬
I love you: (uḥibbuk) ‫أحبك‬
How are you?: m - (kayfa ḥālak) ‫كيف‬
‫حالك؟‬ f - (kayfa ḥālik)
‫كيف‬
‫حالك؟‬

8. Government
Monarch:
Mohammed VI
Prime Minister:
Aziz Akhannouch (SINCE
2021)
Structure: Constitutional
Monarchy
In 2011, the King
revised the Constitution
in response to “Arab
Spring” protests and
appointed a new
government.

9. Current Issues and Events
• Disputes over Western Sahara
• Environment Issues (Erosion, desertification, water
contamination)
• Illiteracy
• Obesity
• Emigration
• Militant Groups
(Adapted from africaw. com and BBC News 2014)

10. Economics
Currency:
Moroccan Dirham
Main Exports:
• Clothing and textiles
• Transistors and Electric components
• Crude minerals and Inorganic
chemicals
• Petroleum products and Fertilizers
(including phosphates)
• Citrus fruits, Vegetables, Fish
(Adapted from economywatch.com)

11. Everyday Life
Daily life for a child:
Daily life for an adult:

12. Marriage and Gender

13. Traditional Costumes

14. National Festivals and
Holidays
• Eid El-Mawlid: Celebration of the prophet
Mohammad’s birth.
• Eid ul-Fitr: A feast celebrating the end of
Ramadan, a holy month of fasting.
• Eid Al Milad: The King’s Birthday
• Eid Al Massira Al Khadra: Anniversary
celebration of the Green March of November
6, 1975 when unarmed Moroccan troops
marched to Western Sahara to call for its
return to Moroccan control.
• Fatih Muharram: Islamic New Year
celebration

15. Traditional Foods
• Couscous
• Bisteeya (savory layered pastry)
• Tagine (meat or poultry cooked in special
pottery ware with vegetables)
• Harira (a tomato and lentil stew)
• Kafta (grilled ground beef)
• Rghaif
• Bghrir
• Spices

16. Sources and Links
• http://heymorocco.com/
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/mo.html
• http://www.morocco.com/
• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14121438