Country Report
The enchanting land of Morocco is a country full of wonders. It is located in North Africa. It spans from the Mediterranean Sea and across it Spain as well as the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the west. In the center of the nation are the Atlas Mountains that stretch from the central north to southwest. To the north of the Atlas Mountains, there are the Rif Mountains; it is also the highest mountain in North Africa and to the south the Sahara Desert. Morocco’s bordering country is Algeria to the east and south by the Western Sahara, which is a territory, claimed by Morocco. The cities and villages include some of the oldest Moorish architecture and are abundant with rich history, in terms of traditions, culture, religion, and geography. Most Moroccans are of Arab and Spanish ancestry. Spaniards lived in what is now known as Morocco around 3,000 years ago. Arabs began to move into the area in the 600's. Over the years, the two groups intermarried. The culture of Morocco mirrors Berber and Arab influences represented by its population. A third of the population speaks in Amazigh language following Arabic and French. Morocco’s two official languages are Modern Standard Arabic and Amazigh. French is Morocco’s unofficial second language. Morocco’s culture is very similar to Jordan’s both being monarchs and progressive Sunni Muslim countries.
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy headed by a king. Its Constitution gives the king broad powers. Members of the Alaouite dynasty have ruled Morocco monarchy. Morocco’s system it is an ancient one that dates back to the 17thcentury. It is believed that the royal family is direct descents of the Prophet Muhammad. For centuries, Islam has been a major force that Moroccan monarchs have used to legitimize their authority. Mohammed VI the current monarch continues to modernize the country while preserving its heritage. The government also consists of a Prime Minister and Cabinet, which are officially appointed by the King, but the government’s program must be approved by a majority vote of the Chamber of Deputies. The Moroccan political arrangement places the king above all other branches of government, with unlimited political powers anchored in Islam. Rabat is the capital of Morocco, it rests along the shores of the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, Morocco has a large number of important cities such as Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier. The Atlantic port of Casablanca is the largest one in the country.Morocco’s rich history dates back to 2001 BC when Neolithic hunters and herders occupied the region. The most significant moments in history happened in7thand 8thCentury AD when the Arab invasion of North Africa took place and the foundation of the first major Muslim dynasty. In 1904 zones of influence were carved out between France and Spain. By 1912Treaty of Fez established Morocco as a French colony and by 1956 Morocco gained its independence from France, while Spain still maintains two coastal areas.In1961 King Hassan II came to power, following the death of King Mohammed. 1963 Morocco held its first general elections in a failed attempt to depose of a monarchy and establish a republic. In 1976 Moroccan and Algerian troops clashed in Western Sahara causing a full-blown war. Algeria formed the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a government-in-exile. Morocco and Mauritania divide-up Western Sahara.By 1991The UN stepped in and declared a cease-fire. In 2003 more than 40 were killed when suicide bombers attacked multiple sites across Casablanca. In 2004 more than 500 were killed in a shattering earthquake in Northern Morocco. 2011Arab Spring protests spread across major cities in Morocco, finally causing King Mohammed to reform the constitution. Morocco’s rich history is visible through their architecture which is heavily is influenced by Islam, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, a combination of these two influencers and can found throughout the country. Islam influence can be seen in the elaborate geometric patterns, ornamental Islamic calligraphy, and colorful ceramic tile mosaic. Hispano-Moorish North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula can be seen in their sharp white walls, stucco roofs among the arches and large domes. A blend of these two has created exceptional architecture.
Islam is Morocco's official religion. Morocco being a predominantly Muslim country the gender roles are very evident. The father traditionally heads the family whose decisions are indisputable and, in the case of his absence, the elder son is always there to take over. Islamic teachings regulate family and community life. Morocco is a very conservative culture this is evident in the way Moroccans greet each other.Moroccans typically greet with a handshake and sometimes two kisses (starting with the left cheek) but this only occurs when the two people greeting are of the same sex. All gestures should be done with your right hand. The left hand is considered impure and is saved for bathroom duties and cleaning chores. The dress code is also conservative. The traditional clothing is an aspect that has been influenced by the diverse cultural heritage. Traditional clothing for women and men consists of long flowing robes or headscarves and traditional slippers. Moroccan Cuisine is a mix of Arabic, Andalusia, Berber, and Mediterranean cuisine making it some of the most unique and diverse in the world due to its extremely rich flavors. The basis of Moroccans’ diet consists of barley and wheat form. The national dish is couscous. It consists of steamed wheat served with vegetables, fish or meat, and sauce.
Moroccans take pride in their film industry as they have an abundance of well-mastered movies. One of the most famous films is Wechma. Directed by a Moroccan. Wechmatranslates to Traces in English. The movie is a sad tale of Messaoud, a young rebellious troubled boy. He leads a life of crime that eventually ends in disaster. Critics agree that this important film marks the beginning of a modern cinematography in Morocco. In addition to the film industry, Morocco owns many key media outlets, including radio and television. Their most popular television stations are Medi 1 TV and 2M TV. As for radio stations, Aswat and Chada FM both play a variety of Arabic hits. Newspapers are primarily published in Arabic and French; the most known one is Al Maghrib, which was established in 1886.
The information I have learned from studying this fascinating country has inspired me to visit this country is its unique architecture and charming beauty. Along with its diverse culture and welcoming people. The media I have gathered has informed me that women are expected to dress conservatively, being it is a predominantly Muslim country it is important to respect their culture. Fridays are their holy days so a majority of shops and business will be closed on Friday. It is essential to carry cash very few places aside from larger supermarkets accept cards. I plan to research more on the country. There is still so much to be known about the place. I would like to watch more documentaries and informative videos to better prepare me for the journey ahead