An Introduction of Morocco

            Physical. Geography. Geographically, Morocco is divided into three regions: the Atlas mountain spire running diagonally through the country; the Atlantic coastal plains, northwest of the mountains; and the Sahara (desert) southeast of the mountain.

            History. Northern Morocco was part of ancient Mauritania, annexed by Rome in 42 A.D. The vandals invaded in 429 and were overthrown in 533. In 682 the Arabs began their conquest, and the native Berbers were converted to Islam. The Moors, as the Moslem Arab-Berbers were known, invaded Spain from Morocco in 711 (Hureau, 2006).

            In prehistoric times Morocco was overrun by the ancestors of the Berbers, who may have migrated from the Middle East. It entered recorded history about 1100 B.C. when the Phoenicians, and later the Carthaginians, established settlements there.

            Moroccan history was the product of conflict between forces from the north through Spain and forces from the east along the Mediterranean coast, with restive Berber tribes sometimes in the ascendant.

            In 1911 the German gunboat Panther appeared off Agadir to counter the French presence, but in the ensuing diplomatic crisis, Germany recognized French supremacy in Morocco in exchange for territory in central Africa. The way was now clear for the establishment of a French protectorate over Morocco, which was accomplished by the Treaty of Fez on March 30, 1912 (Hureau, 2006). During World War II, Morocco was ruled by Vichy France until Allied forces landed there in November 1942. In 1944, the Istiqlal (Independence) [arty was founded. In 1952 various nationalist leaders were deported or exiled, and in the following year the French deposed the nationalist sultan, Mohammad V, and placed his uncle, Moulay Arafa.

            Culture. Morocco has not yet succeeded in extending primary-school education to all school children. About 60% of those of primary-school age are enrolled in classes. The figure drops of 14% for those of secondary-school age, and to 3% for those of college age. Religious education is available at the mosque schools (Spencer, 2004).

            Economy and Agriculture. Morocco has had considerable economic growth gaining independence in 1956, but remains an underdeveloped nation with widespread poverty, Growth has come largely through five-year development plans and agricultural reforms, accompanied by increased involvement in the economy. Agriculture is the economic mainstay. It provides a livelihood for the majority of the people, though only a bare subsistence for many (Hureau, 2006). Nearly a fifth of the land is suitable for crops, with about 7 percent of the cropland under irrigation. Moreover, the Moroccan economy has been based for millennia on the raising of Mediterranean crops-grain, olives, citrus fruits, vegetables, and grapes. Grain and olives are run by the traditional method of dry farming but other crops require irrigation (Spencer, 2004). In addition, the livestock of the country includes sheep, cattle, camels, mules, burros, and donkeys. The goats are the major source of meat and milk. Poultry farming is widespread.

            Sport Stars. Morocco has many stars when it comes to sport. However, Morocco has found a new sport star in the name of Jawad Jairi, a striker. He became a representative for Morocco in at the Olympic Games held in Sydney in 2000.

Reference:

Hureau, Jean (2006). Morocco Today, (Hippocrene Books)

Spencer, William (2004).  Historical Dictionary of Morocco (Scarecrow Press)