| A Look at Morocco Today Cool Facts About Morocco! |
| Geography : Morocco is a North African coastal country aout the size of California. The geography of the country includes a great expanse of Atlantic coastline as well as desert, mountains and plains. The scenery of Morocco is a blend of the African continent, while its monuments reflect the rich and varied traditions of the Islamic civilization which began its influence in the year 710. The land was named "el maghreb" by the Arabs which means "the farthest land of the setting sun", or the far west. Morocco is bounded by two seas, a mountain chain, and the immensity of the Sahara Desert, yet it is Europe's nearest neighbor and the most accessible of the Maghreb countries to visit. Throughout its three-thousand year history, Morocco has been the most open to the crosscurrents of other civilizations from the North to the South. Morocco presents a wonderful variety of geological wonders. The countryside is beautiful, running along both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Just eight miles from Spain, Morocco might have lost its soul to Europe - but refused. Though conquered by Rome and colonized by Spain and France, Moroccans held fast to their Berber culture, while adopting the Islam religion brought by the Arabs from the East. Climate : The geological variety of Morocco also gives it a wide range of climate conditions. The weather in the coastal regions is generally mild but it can become cool and wet in the north, about 12 C (54° F) in winter, to 25 C (77° F) in the summer (sometimes higher). In the desert, temperatures can swing wildly from day to night. This is due to the dryness of the atmosphere, which has almost no humidity. History : Morocco is an ancient country molded by three thousand years of history. As a result of its unique geographical position, Morocco has been exposed to the religious, artistic and economic cross currents of the East, Europe and the depths of Africa. Many countries have, at various times, attempted to take over Morocco for their own interests. I will mention the most recent colonization in Morocco's history which covers the period of the French presence from 1912 to 1956. The French built roads and railways, developed the port of Casablanca and moved the political capitol to Rabat. During that era, many Europeans settled in Morocco. By the end of World War II, strong nationalist sentiment grew and was supported by the Sultan. In 1955 the French withdrew from Morocco and the Sultan's son, Hassan II, became King. A constitution was established in 1972, which allows the many regional areas of the country to represent the interests of the people. The King, however, remains the ultimate authority in all matters. People : Many peoples ~ one nation. From earliest historical time, Morocco's population has been essentially Berber; Nomads, semi nomads, and settled farmers. Later other peoples arrived; the Arabs (who brought the religion of Islam with them), Andalusians from southern Spain, Jews, Europeans and Black Africans who intermixed or coexisted with the original Berber inhabitants. The Berbers inhabit the mountain regions and parts of the desert. There are roughly three main Berber tribes which are separated by different dialects. Mohamed is from the High Atlas and speaks Tachalhit. Little is known of the racial origins of the Berbers. The word "Berber" comes from an Arabic word possibly borrowed from the Latin (and ultimately ancient Greek), barbari, signifying the non-Latin speaking peoples of the Maghreb. The most widely used languages currently are Arabic, French, Spanish and English. Customs and Traditions : The Berbers have many different traditions from one to the other. As in most villages, weddings are looked forward to, but the most famous wedding tradition takes place in Mohamed's home village of Imilchil. All the young people who live in the High Atlas mountains come to participate in the "Moussem". . . a kind of tribal marriage where the brides get to choose their groom. Other traditions include folkloric festivals and music performances. Culture : Morocco has a rich and varied culture. One can find different lifestyles, crafts, architecture and dress, all depending on which part of the country you are in. Soccer is very popular and the national team was good enough to qualify for the World Cup staged in the U.S.A. in 1994. Government : Currently Morocco is ruled by King Hassan II and has a democratic parliamentary government. King Hassan II has taken many steps to modernize Morocco. Life in the cities is a harmonious combination of the old and new ways of life. It is common to see both Western dress and native djellabas as people go about their daily routines. Many Moroccan women are employed or attend school. In southern Morocco the lifestyle is more traditional and employment is generally agricultural. |
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