Jump to content
Main menu Navigation ●Main page ●Contents ●Current events ●Random article ●About Wikipedia ●Contact us ●Donate Contribute ●Help ●Learn to edit ●Community portal ●Recent changes ●Upload file
●Create account ●Log in ●Create account ● Log in Pages for logged out editors learn more ●Contributions ●Talk
View source for Morocco

●Article ●Talk ●Read ●View source ●View history Tools Actions ●Read ●View source ●View history General ●What links here ●Related changes ●Upload file ●Special pages ●Page information ●Get shortened URL ●Download QR code ●Wikidata item Appearance ← Morocco You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reason:
This page is currently semi-protected so that only established, registered users can edit it.
Why is the page protected?

While most articles can be edited by anyone, semi-protection is sometimes necessary to prevent vandalism to popular pages.
The reason for protection can be found in the protection log. If there are no relevant entries in the protection log, the page may have been moved after being protected.
What can I do?

If you have a user account, log in first. If you do not yet have an account, you may create one; after 4 days and 10 edits, you will be able to edit semi-protected pages.
Discuss this page with others.
For move-protected pages, see requested moves.
Request that the page's protection level be reduced.
Find out more about how to get started editing Wikipedia.
If you have noticed an error or have a suggestion for a simple, non-controversial change, you can submit an edit request by clicking the button below and following the instructions. An established user may then make the change on your behalf. Please check the talk page first in case the issue is already being discussed.
Submit an edit request
If you wrote any text, please save it temporarily to your device until you can edit this page.
You can view and copy the source of this page:
{{Short description|Country in North Africa}}
{{About|the country in North Africa|the subregion|Maghreb|5=Morocco (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Monaco}}
{{Pp-semi-indef}}
{{Pp-move}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Morocco
| common_name            = Morocco
| native_name            = {{ubl|{{native name|ar|المملكة المغربية|italic=no}}<br />{{resize|80%|{{transliteration|ar|al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah}}}}|{{native name|ber|ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ|italic=no|paren=omit}} ([[Standard Moroccan Amazigh|Tamazight]])<br />{{resize|80%|{{transliteration|zgh|Tageldit n Lmeɣrib}}}}}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Morocco.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Morocco.svg
| national_motto         = {{native phrase|ar|{{lower|0.1em|ٱللَّٰه، ٱلْوَطَن، ٱلْمَلِك&nbsp;}}|italics=off|nolink=on|paren=omit}}<br />"Allāh, al-Waṭan, al-Malik"<br />"ⵕⴱⴱⵉ, ⴰⵎⵓⵔ, ⴰⴳⵍⵍⵉⴷ"<ref name=IRCAMConst>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ircam.ma/sites/default/files/Parutions/documents/%E2%B4%B0%E2%B4%B7%E2%B5%93%E2%B5%99%E2%B5%9C%E2%B5%93%E2%B5%94%20%E2%B5%8F%20%E2%B5%9C%E2%B4%B3%E2%B5%8D%E2%B4%B7%E2%B5%89%E2%B5%9C%20%E2%B5%8F%20%E2%B5%8D%E2%B5%8E%E2%B5%96%E2%B5%94%E2%B5%89%E2%B4%B1.pdf |title=ⴰⴷⵓⵙⵜⵓⵔ ⵏ ⵜⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ |publisher=[[Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture]] |year=2021 |isbn=978-9920-739-39-9 |translator-last=Ladimat |translator-first=Mohammed |trans-title=Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco}}</ref><br />"God, Country, King"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of Morocco |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Constitute |language=en |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006043401/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| national_anthem        = {{native phrase|ar|{{lower|0.1em|ٱلنَّشِيْد ٱلْوَطَنِي&nbsp;}}|italics=off|nolink=on|paren=omit}}<br />"an-Našīd al-Waṭanīy"<br />"[[Cherifian Anthem]]"<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:National Anthem of Morocco.ogg]]}}</div>
| image_map              = Morocco (orthographic projection, WS claimed).svg
| map_caption            = Location of Morocco in northwest [[Africa]]<br />Dark green: Undisputed territory of Morocco<br />Lighter green: [[Western Sahara]], a [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories|territory]] claimed and occupied mostly by Morocco {{nowrap|as its [[Southern Provinces]]}}{{efn|See [[Political status of Western Sahara]]}}
| capital                = [[Rabat]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|34|02|N|6|51|W|type:city(580,000)_region:MA-RAB}}
| largest_city           = [[Casablanca]]<br />{{coord|33|32|N|7|35|W|type:city(3,710,000)_region:MA-CAS|display=inline}}
| official_languages     = {{hlist |[[Modern Standard Arabic|Arabic]]|[[Standard Moroccan Tamazight|Tamazight]]}}
| languages_type         = Spoken languages
| languages              = {{ublist|class=nowrap |[[Moroccan Arabic]]|[[Hassaniya Arabic]]| [[Berber languages]]}}
| languages2_type        = Foreign languages
| languages2             = {{hlist|[[French language|French]]{{efn|The [[French language in Morocco]] is also used in official government documents and by the business community, although it has no official status: "French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)..."<ref name=CIA>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ |title=Morocco |work=[[The World Factbook]] |date=12 January 2022 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=23 January 2021 |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202191738/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=FR>{{cite web |title = Présentation du Maroc |url = https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/maroc/presentation-du-maroc/ |publisher = Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères |language = fr |access-date = 20 December 2020 |archive-date = 7 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230207193614/https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/maroc/presentation-du-maroc/ |url-status = live }}</ref>}}|[[English language|English]]|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=The teaching of English in Morocco: the place of culture |last1=Hyde |first1=Martin |journal=ELT Journal |volume=48 |issue=4 |date=October 1994 |pages=295–305 |doi=10.1093/elt/48.4.295}}</ref>}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{Tree list}}
* 67% [[Arabs]]
* 31% [[Berbers]]
* 2% [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawis]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fs0Fog7XneUC&pg=PA11 |title=The Report: Morocco 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |isbn=978-1-907065-54-5 |language=en |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307021801/https://books.google.com/books?id=fs0Fog7XneUC&pg=PA11 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2012
| religion               = {{Tree list}}
* 99.6% [[Islam in Morocco|Islam]] ([[State religion|official]])
** 99.23% [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]
** 0.45% [[Shia Islam|Shia]]
* 0.3% [[Religion in Morocco|Others]]
** 0.13% [[Agnosticism|Agnostics]]
** 0.10% [[Baháʼí Faith in Morocco|Baháʼís]]
** 0.09% [[Christianity in Morocco|Christians]]
** 0.01% [[Moroccan Jews|Jews]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| religion_ref           = <ref name=CIA/><ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Profiles: Morocco |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=155c&u=23r |website=The Association of Religion Data Archives |publisher=World Religion Database |access-date=5 September 2022 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905001136/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=155c&u=23r |url-status=live }}</ref>
| demonym                = [[Moroccans|Moroccan]]
| government_type        = Unitary parliamentary [[Constitutional monarchy#Executive monarchy versus ceremonial monarchy|semi-constitutional monarchy]]<ref name="Const1">{{Cite book |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011 |title=Constitution of the Kingdom of Morocco |publisher=William S. Hein & Co., Inc. |quote=First published in the Official Bulletin on July 30, 2011 |year=2012 |location=Getzville |translator-last=Ruchti |translator-first=Jefri J. |language=en |access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006043401/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Morocco_2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| leader_title1          = [[King of Morocco|King]]
| leader_name1           = [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Morocco|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Aziz Akhannouch]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Morocco|Parliament]]
| upper_house            = [[House of Councillors (Morocco)|House of Councillors]]
| lower_house            = {{nowrap|[[House of Representatives (Morocco)|House of Representatives]]}}
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Morocco|Establishment]]
| established_event1     = [[Idrisid dynasty]]
| established_date1      = 788
| established_event2     = [['Alawi dynasty]] (current dynasty)
| established_date2      = 1631
| established_event3     = [[French protectorate in Morocco|Protectorate established]]
| established_date3      = 30 March 1912
| established_event4     = [[History of Morocco#Independent Morocco (since 1956)|Independence]]
| established_date4      = 7 April 1956
| area_km2               = 446,550
| area_footnote          = {{efn|The area {{convert|446,300|km2|abbr=on}} excludes all disputed territories, while {{convert|716550|km2|abbr=on}} includes the Moroccan-claimed and partially-controlled parts of [[Western Sahara]] (claimed as the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]] by the [[Polisario Front]]). Morocco also claims [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], making up about {{convert|22.8|km2|abbr=on}} more claimed territory.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Trinidad |first=Jamie |date=2012 |title=An Evaluation of Morocco's Claims to Spain's Remaining Territories in Africa |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23279813 |journal=The International and Comparative Law Quarterly |volume=61 |issue=4 |pages=961–975 |doi=10.1017/S0020589312000371 |jstor=23279813 |issn=0020-5893 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726061247/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23279813 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| area_rank              = 57th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 172,317
| percent_water          = {{nowrap|0.056 (250 km{{sup|2}})}}
| population_estimate    = 37,984,655<ref name=HCPclock>{{cite web | title = Horloge de la population | language = fr | url = https://www.hcp.ma/Horloge-de-la-population_a3531.html | year = 2022 | publisher = [[Haut Commissariat au Plan|HCP]] | access-date = 18 December 2022 | archive-date = 20 May 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230520093947/https://www.hcp.ma/Horloge-de-la-population_a3531.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
| population_census      = 33,848,242<ref name=HCP>{{cite web | title = Résultats RGPH 2014 | language = fr | url = http://rgphentableaux.hcp.ma/ | year = 2014 | publisher = [[Haut Commissariat au Plan|HCP]] | access-date = 17 October 2019 | archive-date = 9 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200509042714/http://rgphentableaux.hcp.ma/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 38th
| population_census_year = 2014
| population_density_km2 = 50.0
| population_density_sq_mi = 189.3 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $385.337 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.MA">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=686,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Morocco) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191205/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=686,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 56th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $10,408<ref name="IMFWEO.MA" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 120th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $147.343 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.MA" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 61st
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $3,979<ref name="IMFWEO.MA" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 124th
| Gini                   = 40.3 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2015
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite book |url=https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/africa-s-development-dynamics-2018_9789264302501-en#page18 |title=Africa's Development Dynamics 2018:Growth, Jobs and Inequalities |publisher=AUC/OECD |access-date=18 December 2020 |page=179 |year=2018 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114190613/https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/africa-s-development-dynamics-2018_9789264302501-en#page18 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| HDI                    = 0.698<!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 120th
| currency               = [[Moroccan dirham]]
| currency_code          = MAD
| time_zone              = <!--Morocco defines its time zone as Greenwich Mean Time + 1 hour, please do not add "Central European Time" or "West Africa Time" without an official source.-->
| utc_offset             = +1<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Décret royal n° 455-67 du 23 safar 1387 (2 juin 1967) portant loi relatif à l'heure légale |url=http://bdj.mmsp.gov.ma/Fr/Document/10117-D%C3%A9cret-royal-n-455-67-du-23-safar-1387-2-juin-19.aspx?KeyPath=594/596/608/714/10117 |journal=Bulletin Officiel du Royaume du Maroc |issue=2854 |via=Banque de Données Juridiques |access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113013757/http://bdj.mmsp.gov.ma/Fr/Document/10117-D%C3%A9cret-royal-n-455-67-du-23-safar-1387-2-juin-19.aspx?KeyPath=594/596/608/714/10117 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />UTC+0 (during [[Ramadan]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Changements d'heure pour ramadan, quels impacts ? |url=https://telquel.ma/2018/05/14/changements-dheure-pour-ramadan-quels-impacts_1593439?fbrefresh=7 |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=TelQuel |language=fr |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113013715/https://telquel.ma/2018/05/14/changements-dheure-pour-ramadan-quels-impacts_1593439?fbrefresh=7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Morocco|+212]]
| cctld                  = {{ublist |[[.ma]] |{{lang|ar|[[Internationalized country code top-level domain|.المغرب]]}}
<!--Unused: | footnote_? = {{note|French}} 13.5% fluent, 19.5% partially fluent.<ref>"[http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/La_francophonie_dans_le_monde_2006-2007.pdf La Francophonie dans le monde]": ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121224074425/http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/La_francophonie_dans_le_monde_2006-2007.pdf Archive]) [[Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie]]. p.&nbsp;16. Retrieved 15 October 2012.</ref>-->
| population_rank        = 
| today                  = 
}}
| religion_year          = 2020
}}

'''Morocco''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Morocco.ogg|m|ə|ˈ|r|ɒ|k|oʊ}}<br>{{bulleted list|{{lang-ar|المغرب|al-Maghrib|the place where the sun sets; the west}}||{{lang-zgh|links=no|ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ|Lmeɣrib}}|{{lang-fr|Maroc}}, {{IPA-fr|maʁɔk|IPA}}}}}} officially the '''Kingdom of Morocco''',{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{lang-ar|links=no|المملكة المغربية|al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah|the Western kingdom}}|{{lang-zgh|links=no|ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ|Tageldit n Lmeɣrib}}<ref name=IRCAMConst></ref>|{{lang-fr|links=no|Royaume du Maroc}}}}}} is a country in the [[Maghreb]] region of [[North Africa]]. It overlooks the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the north and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the west, and has land borders with [[Algeria]] to [[Algeria–Morocco border|the east]], and the disputed territory of [[Western Sahara]] to [[Morocco–Western Sahara border|the south]]. Morocco also claims the [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Enclave and exclave|exclaves]] of [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]] and [[Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera]], and several small [[Plazas de soberanía|Spanish-controlled islands]] off its coast.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14114627 |title=Ceuta, Melilla profile |year=2018 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=13 November 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519055108/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14114627 |url-status=live }}</ref> It has a population of roughly 37 million, the official and predominant religion is [[Islam]], and the official languages are [[Arabic]] and [[Berber languages|Berber]];  [[French language|French]] and the [[Moroccan Arabic|Moroccan dialect of Arabic]] are also widely spoken. [[Culture of Morocco|Moroccan identity and culture]] is a mix of [[Arab culture|Arab]], [[Berbers|Berber]], [[Culture of Africa|African]] and [[Culture of Europe|European]] cultures. Its capital is [[Rabat]], while its largest city is [[Casablanca]].<ref name="Abun-Nasr1987">{{cite book |author = Jamil M. Abun-Nasr |title = A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jdlKbZ46YYkC |date = 20 August 1987 |publisher = Cambridge University Press |isbn = 978-0-521-33767-0 |access-date = 20 March 2018 |archive-date = 9 May 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240509023833/https://books.google.com/books?id=jdlKbZ46YYkC |url-status = live }}</ref>

The region constituting Morocco has been inhabited since the [[Paleolithic]] era over 300,000 years ago. The [[Idrisid dynasty]] was established by [[Idris I of Morocco|Idris I]] in 788 and was subsequently ruled by a series of other independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as a [[regional power]] in the 11th and 12th centuries, under the [[Almoravid dynasty|Almoravid]] and [[Almohad Caliphate|Almohad]] dynasties, when it controlled most of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] and the Maghreb.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Hall |first1 = John G. |author2 =  Chelsea Publishing House |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BhMuc6NacxgC&q=Since+the+foundation+of+the+first+Moroccan+state+by+Idris+I+in+788+AD,+the+country+has+been+ruled+by+a+series+of+independent+dynasties,+reaching+its+zenith+under+Almoravid+and+Almohad+rule,+when+it+spanned+parts+of+Iberia+and+northwestern+Africa.&pg=PA5 |title = North Africa |year = 2002 |publisher = Infobase Publishing |isbn = 978-0-7910-5746-9 }}</ref> Centuries of [[Arab migration to the Maghreb]] since the 7th century shifted the demographic scope of the region. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, with [[Portuguese Empire|Portugal]] seizing some territory and the [[Ottoman Empire]] encroaching from the east. The [[Marinid Sultanate|Marinid]] and [[Saadi Sultanate|Saadi]] dynasties otherwise resisted foreign domination, and Morocco was the only North African nation to escape Ottoman dominion. The [['Alawi dynasty]], which rules the country to this day, seized power in 1631, and over the next two centuries expanded [[diplomatic]] and commercial relations with the [[Western world]]. Morocco's strategic location near the mouth of the Mediterranean drew renewed European interest; in 1912, France and Spain divided the country into [[#French and Spanish protectorates|respective protectorates]], reserving an [[Tangier International Zone|international zone in Tangier]]. Following intermittent riots and revolts against colonial rule, in 1956, Morocco regained its independence and reunified.

Since independence, Morocco has remained relatively stable. It has the [[List of African countries by GDP (nominal)|fifth-largest economy]] in Africa and wields significant influence in both Africa and the [[Arab world]]; it is considered a [[middle power]] in global affairs and holds membership in the [[Arab League]], the [[Arab Maghreb Union]], the [[Union for the Mediterranean]], and the [[African Union]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Balfour |first=Rosa |date = March 2009 |title = The Transformation of the Union for the Mediterranean |journal = Mediterranean Politics |volume=14 |issue=1|pages=99–105 |doi = 10.1080/13629390902747491 |issn=1362-9395 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Morocco is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] semi-[[constitutional monarchy]] with an elected parliament. The [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] is led by the [[King of Morocco]] and the [[Prime Minister of Morocco|prime minister]], while [[Legislature|legislative power]] is vested in the two chambers of parliament: the [[House of Representatives (Morocco)|House of Representatives]] and the [[House of Councillors (Morocco)|House of Councillors]]. Judicial power rests with the Constitutional Court, which may review the validity of laws, elections, and referendums.<ref>[https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morocco-Access-Const-Ct-Advocacy-Position-paper-2018-ENG.pdf Morocco: Remove Obstacles to Access to the Constitutional Court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721222938/https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morocco-Access-Const-Ct-Advocacy-Position-paper-2018-ENG.pdf |date=21 July 2021 }}. International Commission of Jurists.</ref> The king holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the [[Royal Moroccan Armed Forces|military]], foreign policy and religious affairs; he can issue decrees called [[Moroccan Dahir|''dahirs'']], which have the force of law, and can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the [[List of heads of government of Morocco|prime minister]] and the president of the constitutional court.

Morocco claims ownership of the [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories|non-self-governing territory]] of [[Western Sahara]], which it has designated its [[Southern Provinces]]. In 1975, after Spain [[Madrid Accords|agreed to decolonise the territory]] and cede its control to Morocco and [[Mauritania]], a [[Western Sahara War|guerrilla war]] broke out between those powers and some of the [[Sahrawi people|local inhabitants]]. In 1979, Mauritania relinquished [[Tiris al-Gharbiyya|its claim]] to the area, but the war continued to rage. In 1991, a ceasefire agreement was reached, but the issue of sovereignty remained unresolved. Today, Morocco occupies two-thirds of the territory, and [[Western Sahara peace process|efforts to resolve the dispute]] have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.

== Etymology and name ==
The [[English language|English]] ''Morocco'' is an [[anglicisation]] of the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] name for the country, {{lang|es|Marruecos}}, derived from the name of the city of [[Marrakesh]], which was the capital of the [[Almoravid dynasty]], the [[Almohad Caliphate]], and the [[Saadian dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Country names |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/country-name#morocco |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The CIA World Factbook |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207212750/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/country-name#morocco |url-status=live }}</ref> During the Almoravid dynasty, the city of Marrakesh was established under the name of {{lang|tzm-Latn|Tāmurākušt}}, derived from the city's ancient [[Berber languages|Berber]] name of {{lang|tzm-Latn|amūr n Yakuš}} ({{Literally|land/country of God}}).<ref>{{Citation |last=Ghouirgate |first=Mehdi |title=Chapitre VIII. Le calife en son palais : maintenir son rang |date=2020-02-27 |url=http://books.openedition.org/pumi/12060 |work=L’Ordre almohade (1120-1269) : Une nouvelle lecture anthropologique |pages=357–402 |access-date=2023-12-09 |series=Tempus |place=Toulouse |publisher=Presses universitaires du Midi |language=fr |isbn=978-2-8107-0867-3 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002162449/https://books.openedition.org/pumi/12060 |url-status=live }}</ref> In English, the first vowel has been changed, likely influenced by the word "Moor".<ref>{{Cite web |title=morocco {{!}} Etymology of morocco by etymonline |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/morocco |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=www.etymonline.com |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203085844/https://www.etymonline.com/word/morocco |url-status=live }}</ref>

Historically, the territory has been part of what Muslim geographers referred to as {{Ill|al-Maghrib al-Aqṣā|ar|المغرب الأقصى|italic=y}} ({{lang|ar|المغرب الأقصى}}, 'the Farthest West [of the Islamic world]' designating roughly the area from [[Tiaret]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]) in contrast with neighbouring regions of {{Ill|al-Maghrib al-Awsaṭ|ar|المغرب الأوسط|italic=y}} ({{lang|ar|المغرب الأوسط}}, 'the Middle West': [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] to [[Béjaïa]]) and {{Ill|al-Maghrib al-Adnā|ar|المغرب الأدنى|italic=y}} ({{lang|ar|المغرب الأدنى}}, 'the Nearest West': [[Alexandria]] to [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hareir |first1=Idris El |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYT4Kraym0C&pg=PA375 |title=The Spread of Islam Throughout the World |last2=Mbaye |first2=Ravane |date=1 January 2011 |publisher=UNESCO |isbn=978-92-3-104153-2 |language=en}}</ref>

Morocco's modern [[Arabic language|Arabic]] name is {{transliteration|ar|al-Maghrib}} ({{lang|ar|المغرب}}, {{Translation|the land of the sunset; the west}}), with the Kingdom's official Arabic name being {{transliteration|ar|al-Mamlakah al-Maghribīyah}} ({{lang|ar|المملكة المغربية}}; {{Translation|the kingdom of sunset/the west}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Maghreb, en arabe Maghrib ou Marhrib (" le Couchant ") |url=https://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/autre-region/Maghreb/131068 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Encyclopédie Larousse |language=fr |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122095454/https://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/autre-region/Maghreb/131068 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Introduction |date=1987 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/history-of-the-maghrib-in-the-islamic-period/introduction/0A276AD37271D71955A8C28E6578F617 |work=A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period |pages=1–25 |editor-last=Abun-Nasr |editor-first=Jamil M. |access-date=2023-12-09 |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/cbo9780511608100.003 |isbn=978-0-521-33767-0 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616132301/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/history-of-the-maghrib-in-the-islamic-period/introduction/0A276AD37271D71955A8C28E6578F617 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maghreb |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Maghreb |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913035240/https://www.britannica.com/place/Maghreb |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], Morocco is known as {{lang|tr|Fas}}, a name derived from its medieval capital of [[Fes]] which is derived from the Arabic word ''Faʾs'' ({{lang|ar|فأس}}; {{Translation|[[pickaxe]]}}), as the city's founder [[Idris I of Morocco|Idris I ibn Abd Allah]] reputedly used a silver and gold pickaxe to trace the outlines of the city.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC |title=Cities of the Middle East and North Africa: A Historical Encyclopedia |date=2007 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-919-5 |editor-last=Dumper |editor-first=Michael R. T. |page=151 |editor-last2=Stanley |editor-first2=Bruce E. |access-date=10 March 2024 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316174542/https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bressolette-2016">{{Cite book |last=Bressolette |first=Henri |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNzeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=A la découverte de Fès |publisher=L'Harmattan |year=2016 |isbn=978-2-343-09022-1 |location= |pages= |chapter=Fondation de Fès El Bali par Idriss Ier et Idriss II |access-date=2021-11-17 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720213942/https://books.google.com/books?id=kNzeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In other parts of the Islamic world, for example in Egyptian and Middle Eastern Arabic literature before the mid-20th century, Morocco was commonly referred to as {{lang|ar-Latn|Murrakush}} ({{lang|ar|مراكش}}).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gershovich |first=Moshe |title=French Military Rule in Morocco |date=12 October 2012 |isbn=9780203044988 |doi=10.4324/9780203044988}}</ref> The term is still used to refer to Morocco today in several [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] languages, including [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Urdu]], and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]].<ref>{{Cite web |trans-title=Morocco|title=مراکش - معنی در دیکشنری آبادیس |url=https://abadis.ir/fatofa/%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B4/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=abadis.ir|language=fa}}</ref>

Morocco has also been referred to politically by a variety of terms denoting the [[Sharifism|Sharifi heritage]] of the [['Alawi dynasty|Alawi dynasty]], such as {{Transliteration|ar|al-Mamlakah ash-Sharīfah}} ({{Lang|ar|المملكة الشريفة}}), {{Transliteration|ar|al-Iyālah ash-Sharīfah}} ({{Lang|ar|الإيالة الشريفة}}) and {{Transliteration|ar|al-Imbarāṭūriyyah ash-Sharīfah}} ({{Lang|ar|الإمبراطورية الشريفة}}), rendered in French as {{Lang|fr|l'Empire chérifien}} and in English as the 'Sharifian Empire'.<ref>{{Cite book |last=ملين |first=نبيل |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/994641823 |title=فكرة الدستور في المغرب : وثائق ونصوص (19012011) |year=2017 |publisher=Tīl Kīl Mīdiyā |isbn=978-9954-28-764-4 |language=ar |oclc=994641823}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Laskier |first=Michael M. |date=1 September 2019 |title=Prelude to Colonialism: Moroccan Muslims and Jews through Western Lenses, 1860–1912 |url=https://www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journals/european-judaism/52/2/ej520209.xml |journal=European Judaism |language=en |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=111–128 |doi=10.3167/ej.2019.520209 |s2cid=203553804 |issn=0014-3006 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105195922/https://www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journals/european-judaism/52/2/ej520209.xml |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|History of Morocco}}

===Prehistory and antiquity===
The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited since at least [[Paleolithic|Paleolithic times]], beginning sometime between 190,000 and 90,000&nbsp;BC.<ref>[http://www.eva.mpg.de/evolution/files/irhoud.htm Field Projects – Jebel Irhoud ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112002657/http://www.eva.mpg.de/evolution/files/irhoud.htm |date=12 January 2017}}. Department of Human Evolution. [[Max Planck]] Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</ref> A recent publication has suggested that there is evidence for even earlier human habitation of the area: ''[[Homo sapiens]]'' fossils that had been discovered in the late 2000s near the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic coast]] in [[Jebel Irhoud]] were recently dated to roughly 315,000 years ago.<ref>[http://www.nature.com/news/oldest-homo-sapiens-fossil-claim-rewrites-our-species-history-1.22114 Oldest Homo sapiens fossil claim rewrites our species' history ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116175722/http://www.nature.com/news/oldest-homo-sapiens-fossil-claim-rewrites-our-species-history-1.22114 |date=16 November 2017 }} News. [[Nature Magazine]], International Weekly Journal of Science</ref>  During the [[Upper Paleolithic]], the [[Maghreb]] was more fertile than it is today, resembling a [[savanna]], in contrast to its modern arid landscape.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rubella |first=D. |title=From hunters to farmers the causes and consequences of food production in Africa |year=1984 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=978-0520045743 |pages=41–56 |editor=J.D. Clark & S.A. Brandt |chapter=Environmentalism and Pi Paleolithic economies in the Maghreb (c. 20,000 to 5000 B.P.)}}</ref> Twenty-two thousand years ago, the [[Aterian]] culture was succeeded by the [[Iberomaurusian]] culture, which shared similarities with Iberian cultures. Skeletal similarities have been suggested between the human remains found at [[Iberomaurusian]] "[[Mechta-Afalou]]" burial sites and European [[Cro-Magnon]] remains. The Iberomaurusian culture was succeeded by the [[Beaker culture]] in Morocco. [[Mitochondrial DNA]] studies have discovered a close ancestral link between [[Berbers]] and the [[Sami people|Saami]] of Scandinavia. This evidence supports the theory that some of the peoples who had been living in the [[Franco-Cantabrian region|Franco-Cantabrian refuge area of southwestern Europe]] during the late-glacial period migrated to northern Europe, contributing to its repopulation after the last [[ice age]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Achilli |first1=A. |last2=Rengo |first2=C. |last3=Battaglia |first3=V. |last4=Pala |first4=M. |last5=Olivieri |first5=A. |last6=Fornarino |first6=S. |last7=Magri |first7=C. |last8=Scozzari |first8=R. |last9=Babudri |first9=N. |doi=10.1086/430073 |title=Saami and Berbers—An Unexpected Mitochondrial DNA Link |journal=The American Journal of Human Genetics |volume=76 |issue=5 |pages=883–886 |year=2005 |pmid=15791543 |pmc=1199377}}</ref>

In the early part of [[Classical Antiquity]], Northwest Africa and Morocco were slowly drawn into the wider emerging [[Mediterranean]] world by the [[Phoenicians]], who established trading colonies and settlements there, the most substantial of which were [[Chellah]], [[Lixus (ancient city)|Lixus]], and [[Mogador]].<ref>{{cite web |author=The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17926 |title=C. Michael Hogan, ''Mogador: Promontory Fort'', The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham |publisher=Megalithic.co.uk |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805181526/https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17926 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mogador was established as a Phoenician colony as early as the 6th century BC.<ref>Moscati, Sabatino (2001) ''The Phoenicians'', Tauris, {{ISBN|1-85043-533-2}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2013}}

[[File:Volubilis Longshot II.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Roman ruins of [[Volubilis]].]]
Morocco later became a realm of the Northwest African civilisation of [[ancient Carthage]], and part of the Carthaginian empire. The earliest known independent Moroccan state was the [[Mauretania|Berber kingdom of Mauretania]], under King [[Baga (king)|Baga]].<ref>[[Livy]] ''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab Urbe Condita Libri]]'' 29.30</ref> This ancient kingdom (not to be confused with the modern state of [[Mauritania]]) flourished around 225&nbsp;BC or earlier. [[Mauretania]] became a [[Client state|client]] kingdom of the [[Roman Empire]] in 33 BC. Emperor [[Claudius]] annexed Mauretania directly in 44 AD, making it a [[Roman province]] ruled by an imperial [[governor]] (either a ''procurator Augusti'', or a ''legatus Augusti pro praetore'').

During the [[Crisis of the Third Century]], parts of Mauretania were reconquered by Berbers. By the late 3rd century, direct Roman rule had become confined to a few coastal cities, such as Septum ([[Ceuta]]) in [[Mauretania Tingitana]] and [[Cherchell]] in [[Mauretania Caesariensis]]. When, in 429 AD, the area was devastated by the [[Vandals]], the Roman Empire lost its remaining possessions in Mauretania, and local [[Mauro-Roman kingdom|Mauro-Roman kings]] assumed control of them. In the 530s, the [[Eastern Roman Empire]], under Byzantine control, re-established direct imperial rule of Septum and [[Tingi]], fortified Tingis and erected a church.

=== <span class="anchor" id="Foundation"></span><span class="anchor" id="Dynasties"></span><span class="anchor" id="Foundation and dynasties"></span> Foundation and dynastic period ===
[[File:Idrisids coin minted at Al Aliyah Morocco 840 CE.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Idrisid]] coin in [[Fez, Morocco|Fes]], 840]]
The [[Muslim conquest of the Maghreb]] that had begun during the mid-7th century was completed under the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] by 709. The caliphate introduced both [[Islam]] and the Arabic language to the area; this period also saw the beginning of a trend of [[Arab migration to the Maghreb]] which would last for centuries and effect a demographic shift in the region. While constituting part of the larger empire, Morocco was initially organised as a subsidiary province of [[Ifriqiya]], with the local governors appointed by the Muslim governor in [[Kairouan]].<ref>Abun-Nasr 1987, p.33</ref>

The indigenous Berber tribes adopted Islam, but retained their [[customary law]]s. They also paid taxes and tribute to the new Muslim administration.<ref>Abun-Nasr 1987, pp. 33–34</ref> The first independent Muslim state in the area of modern Morocco was the [[Kingdom of Nekor]], an emirate in the [[Rif Mountains]]. It was founded by [[Salih I ibn Mansur]] in 710, as a client state to the Umayyad Caliphate. After the outbreak of the [[Berber Revolt]] in 739, the Berbers formed other independent states such as the [[Miknasa]] of [[Sijilmasa]] and the [[Barghawata]].
[[File:29610-Fez (28134041211) (qarawiyyin crop).jpg|thumb|[[University of al-Qarawiyyin|al-Qarawiyyin]], founded in [[Fez, Morocco|Fes]] in the 9th century, was a major spiritual, literary, and intellectual centre.]]
The founder of the [[Idrisid dynasty]] and the great-grandson of [[Hasan ibn Ali]], [[Idris ibn Abdallah]], had fled to Morocco after the massacre of his family by the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasids]] in the [[Hejaz]]. He convinced the Awraba Berber tribes to break their allegiance to the distant Abbasid caliphs and he founded the Idrisid dynasty in 788. The Idrisids established [[Fes, Morocco|Fes]] as their capital and Morocco became a centre of Muslim learning and a major [[regional power]]. The Idrisids were ousted in 927 by the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] and their Miknasa allies. After Miknasa broke off relations with the Fatimids in 932, they were removed from power by the [[Maghrawa]] of Sijilmasa in 980.

[[File:Empire almohade.PNG|thumb|right|The empire of the [[Almohad dynasty]] at its greatest extent, {{circa|1212}}.]]
From the 11th century onward, a series of Berber dynasties arose.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gGKsS-9h4BYC&pg=PT861 |title=Concise Encyclopaedia of World History |isbn=978-81-269-0775-5 |last1=Ramirez-Faria |first1=Carlos |date=2007 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804074800/https://books.google.com/books?id=gGKsS-9h4BYC&pg=PT861 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/almoravides/|title=Almoravides|encyclopedia=Universalis Encyclopedia|date=19 January 1999 |access-date=25 July 2011|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719002639/http://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/almoravides/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/365388/Marinid-dynasty|title=Marīnid dynasty|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=23 June 2022|archive-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602202549/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/365388/Marinid-dynasty|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the [[Sanhaja]] [[Almoravid dynasty]] and the [[Masmuda]] [[Almohad dynasty]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/418538/North-Africa/46490/The-Maghrib-under-the-Almoravids-and-the-Almohads |title=The Maghrib under the Almoravids and the Almohads |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=1 August 2011 |archive-date=14 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314013819/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/418538/North-Africa/46490/The-Maghrib-under-the-Almoravids-and-the-Almohads |url-status=live }}</ref> Morocco dominated the Maghreb, [[al-Andalus]] in [[Iberia]], and the western Mediterranean region. From the 13th century onward the country saw a [[Arab migration to the Maghreb|massive migration]] of the [[Banu Hilal]] Arab tribes. In the 13th and 14th centuries the [[Zenata]] Berber [[Marinids]] held power in Morocco and strove to replicate the successes of the Almohads through military campaigns in Algeria and Spain. They were followed by the [[Wattasids]]. In the 15th century, the [[Reconquista]] ended Muslim rule in Iberia and many Muslims and [[History of the Jews in Morocco|Jews]] fled to Morocco.<ref name="brit">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/392604/Morocco |title=Morocco – History |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=1 August 2011 |archive-date=31 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110731173203/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/392604/Morocco |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Portugal|Portuguese]] efforts to control the Atlantic sea trade in the 15th century did not greatly affect the interior of Morocco even though they managed to control some possessions on the Moroccan coast but not venturing further afield inland.

[[File:Porto April 2019-7.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Portuguese Empire]] was founded when [[Prince Henry the Navigator]] led the [[conquest of Ceuta]], which began the Portuguese presence in Morocco, lasting from 1415 to 1769.]]

In 1549, the region fell to successive Arab dynasties claiming descent from the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]]: first the [[Saadi dynasty]] who ruled from 1549 to 1659, and then the [[Alawi dynasty]], who have remained in power since the 17th century. Morocco faced aggression from [[Spain]] in the north, and the Ottoman Empire's allies pressing westward.

[[File:Palais El Badii - panoramio.jpg|thumb|The remains of the Saadi sultan [[Ahmad al-Mansur]]'s 16th century [[Badi' Palace]]]]

Under the Saadis, the sultanate [[Portuguese succession crisis of 1580|ended the Portuguese Aviz dynasty]] in 1578 at the [[Battle of Alcácer Quibir]]. The reign of [[Ahmad al-Mansur]] brought new wealth and prestige to the Sultanate, and a [[Saadian invasion of the Songhai Empire|large expedition]] to West Africa inflicted a crushing defeat on the [[Songhay Empire]] in 1591. However, managing the territories across the [[Sahara]] proved too difficult.<ref name="Kaba81">{{citation | last=Kaba | first= Lansiné | year=1981 | title=Archers, musketeers, and mosquitoes: The Moroccan invasion of the Sudan and the Songhay resistance (1591–1612) | journal= Journal of African History | volume=22 | issue= 4 | pages=457–475 | jstor=181298 | doi=10.1017/S0021853700019861 | pmid=11632225| s2cid= 41500711 }}.</ref> Upon the death of al-Mansur, the country was divided among his sons.

After a period of political fragmentation and conflict during the decline of the Saadi dynasty, Morocco was finally reunited by the Alawi sultan [[Al-Rashid of Morocco|al-Rashid]] in the late 1660s, who took Fez in 1666 and Marrakesh in 1668.<ref name="Abun-Nasr1987" />{{Rp|230}}<ref name=":20">{{Cite book |last=Rivet |first=Daniel |title=Histoire du Maroc: de Moulay Idrîs à Mohammed VI |publisher=Fayard |year=2012}}</ref>{{Rp|225}} The 'Alawis succeeded in stabilising their position, and while the kingdom was smaller than previous ones in the region, it remained quite wealthy. Against the opposition of local tribes [[Ismail Ibn Sharif]] (1672–1727) began to create a unified state.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20091030183303/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572952_8/Morocco.html Morocco (Page 8 of 9)]". Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009. 1 November 2009.</ref> With his [[Rif]]fian army, he re-occupied [[English Tangier|Tangier]] from the English who had abandoned it in 1684 and drove the Spanish from [[Larache]] in 1689. The Portuguese abandoned [[Mazagan|Mazagão]], their last territory in Morocco, in 1769. However, the [[Siege of Melilla (1774)|siege of Melilla]] against the Spanish ended in defeat in 1775.

Morocco was the first nation to recognise the fledgling United States as an independent nation in 1777.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/22/joint-statement-united-states-america-and-kingdom-morocco|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|title=Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Kingdom of Morocco|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|date=22 November 2013|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110084924/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/22/joint-statement-united-states-america-and-kingdom-morocco|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=((USA (<span class="ltr">NA</span>) International Business Publications))|title=Morocco Foreign Policy And Government Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5V77mdCXHJcC&pg=PA114|date=2004|publisher=Int'l Business Publications|isbn=978-0-7397-6000-0|pages=114–}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=41811 |title=Cohen Renews U.S.-Morocco Ties |access-date=12 March 2009 |author=Kozaryn, Linda D. |work=U.S. Department of Defense |archive-date=28 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228080125/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=41811 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the beginning of the [[American Revolution]], American merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean were subject to attacks by other fleets. On 20 December 1777, Morocco's Sultan [[Mohammed III of Morocco|Mohammed III]] declared that American merchant ships would be under the protection of the sultanate and could thus enjoy safe passage. The 1786 [[Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship]] stands as the United States' oldest unbroken friendship treaty.<ref>Roberts, Priscilla H. and Richard S. Roberts, ''Thomas Barclay (1728–1793): Consul in France, Diplomat in Barbary'', Lehigh University Press, 2008, pp. 206–223 {{ISBN|093422398X}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/perfrpt/2002/html/18995.htm |title=Milestones of American Diplomacy, Interesting Historical Notes, and Department of State History |access-date=17 December 2007 |work=U.S. Department of State |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210003512/https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/perfrpt/2002/html/18995.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===French and Spanish protectorates===
{{main|French protectorate in Morocco|Spanish protectorate in Morocco}}
[[File:La Paz de Wad-Ras.jpg|thumb|The [[Treaty of Wad Ras]] after the [[Hispano-Moroccan War (1859–1860)]] bankrupted Morocco's national treasury, forcing the [[Makhzen]] to take on a British loan.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|last=Miller, Susan Gilson.|title=A history of modern Morocco|date=2013|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-62469-5|location=New York|pages=25|oclc=855022840}}</ref>]]
As Europe industrialised, Northwest Africa was increasingly prized for its potential for colonisation. France showed a strong interest in Morocco as early as 1830, not only to protect the border of its Algerian territory, but also because of the strategic position of Morocco with coasts on the Mediterranean and the open Atlantic.<ref>{{cite book |title=Morocco since 1830: A History|isbn=978-0814766774 |last=Pennell |first=C. R. |year=2000 |publisher=New York University Press |location=New York |page=40}}</ref> In 1860, a dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave led Spain to declare war. Victorious Spain won a further enclave and an enlarged Ceuta in the settlement. In 1884, Spain created a protectorate in the coastal areas of Morocco.
[[File:Louis Comfort Tiffany - Market day outside the walls of Tangiers, Morocco.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tangier]]'s population in 1956 included 40,000 Muslims, 31,000 Europeans and 15,000 Jews.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0019_0_19572.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501181723/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0019_0_19572.html |archive-date=1 May 2013 |title=Tangier(<span class="ltr">s</span>) |encyclopedia=[[Jewish Virtual Library]] |access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>]]
In 1904, France and Spain carved out zones of influence in Morocco. Recognition by the [[United Kingdom]] of France's [[sphere of influence]] provoked a strong reaction from the [[German Empire]]; and a crisis loomed in 1905. The matter was resolved at the [[Algeciras Conference]] in 1906. The [[Agadir Crisis]] of 1911 increased tensions between European powers. The 1912 [[Treaty of Fez]] made Morocco a [[protectorate]] of France, and triggered the [[1912 Fez riots]].<ref name="Hirschberg1981">{{cite book|author=Hirschberg, H. Z|title=A history of the Jews in North Africa: From the Ottoman conquests to the present time / edited by Eliezer Bashan and Robert Attal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=idEUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA319|year=1981|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-06295-5|page=318|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=14 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114120228/https://books.google.com/books?id=idEUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA319|url-status=live}}</ref> Spain continued to operate its coastal protectorate. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of [[protecting power]] over the northern coastal and southern [[Sahara]]n zones.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Furlong |first=Charles Wellington |author-link=Charles W. Furlong |year=1911 |title=The French Conquest Of Morocco: The Real Meaning Of The International Trouble |journal=[[World's Work|The World's Work: A History of Our Time]] |volume=XXII |pages=14988–14999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rHAAAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA14988 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114120230/https://books.google.com/books?id=rHAAAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA14988 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tens of thousands of colonists entered Morocco. Some bought up large amounts of rich agricultural land, while others organised the exploitation and modernisation of mines and harbours. Interest groups that formed among these elements continually pressured France to increase its control over Morocco – with some Moroccan tribes allying with the French against other competing tribes from early on in its conquest. The French colonial administrator, Governor general Marshal [[Hubert Lyautey]], sincerely admired Moroccan culture and succeeded in imposing a joint Moroccan-French administration, while creating a modern school system. Several divisions of Moroccan soldiers ([[Goumier]]s or regular troops and officers) served in the [[French army]] in both [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], and in the Spanish [[Francoism|Nationalist Army]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]] and after (''[[Regulares]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url-status=live |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-spain-war-idUSTRE50E0NT20090115 |title=Morocco tackles painful role in Spain's past |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817235436/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-spain-war-idUSTRE50E0NT20090115 |archive-date=17 August 2021 |website=Reuters |date=14 January 2009 |first1=Zakia |last1=Abdennebi }}</ref> The institution of [[slavery in Morocco|slavery]] was abolished in 1925.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=live |publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6164.html |title=Morocco: Date of the abolishment of slavery in Morocco; whether descendants of ex-slaves are singled out in any way; and fate of the Palace household and grounds staff when King Mohamed V was in exile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203121733/http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6164.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 |date=13 August 1999 |series=MAR32476.E |via=Refworld}}</ref>

Between 1921 and 1926, an [[Rif War|uprising]] in the [[Rif]] Mountains, led by [[Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Karim al-Khattabi|Abd el-Krim]], led to the establishment of the [[Republic of the Rif]]. The Spanish used anti-civilian bombing raids and mustard gas to prevent the Rif republic from gaining independence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wyrtzen |first=Jonathan |title=Worldmaking in the Long Great War: How Local and Colonial Struggles Shaped the Modern Middle East |publisher=Columbia University Press |date=2022 |isbn=978-0-231-54657-7 |location=New York |pages=195 |oclc=1336403490 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gWdOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT195 |access-date=24 January 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052346/https://books.google.com/books?id=gWdOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT195 |url-status=live }}</ref> They lost more than 13,000 soldiers at [[Battle of Annual|Annual]] in July–August 1921 alone.<ref>Porch, Douglas; ''Spain's African Nightmare''; MHQ: Quarterly Journal of Military History; (2006); 18#2; pp. 28–37.</ref> The Riffi were eventually suppressed by 1927 by the Franco-Spanish military. The casualties on the Spanish-French side were 52,000 and from the Riffi 10,000 died.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wyrtzen |first=Jonathan |title=Worldmaking in the Long Great War: How Local and Colonial Struggles Shaped the Modern Middle East |publisher=Columbia University Press |date=2022 |isbn=978-0-231-54657-7 |location=New York |pages=198 |oclc=1336403490 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gWdOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT198 |access-date=24 January 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052345/https://books.google.com/books?id=gWdOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT198 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:وثيقة الاستقلال 11 يناير 1944.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Proclamation of Independence of Morocco]] of 1944.]]
In 1943, the [[Istiqlal Party]] (Independence Party) was founded to press for independence, with discreet US support. Moroccan nationalists drew heavily on [[Revolution of the King and the People|transnational activist networks]] for lobbying to end colonial rule, primarily at the United Nations.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Stenner |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KLyXDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT15 |title=Globalizing Morocco: Transnational Activism and the Postcolonial State |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-5036-0900-6 |location=Stanford, California |pages=198 |oclc=1082294927 |access-date=24 January 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052346/https://books.google.com/books?id=KLyXDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT15 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Istiqlal Party subsequently provided most of the leadership for the nationalist movement.

[[File:Mohammed V Morocco 1957.lowres.jpeg|thumb|upright|King [[Mohammed V of Morocco|Mohammed V]] during a visit to the United States in 1957.]]
France's exile of Sultan [[Mohammed V of Morocco|Mohammed V]] in 1953 to [[Madagascar]] and his replacement by the unpopular [[Mohammed Ben Aarafa]] sparked active opposition to the French and Spanish protectorates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/81277/mohammed-arafa-morocco-s-unpopular-sultan.html|title=Mohammed Ben Arafa, Morocco's unpopular sultan and the story of his unmarked grave|last=Babas|first=Latifa|newspaper=Yabiladi|date=July 19, 2019|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref> The most notable violence occurred in [[Oujda]] where Moroccans attacked French and other European residents in the streets.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 30, 1954|title=Quatre-vingt-seize Marocains poursuivis pour participation à la « tuerie d'Oujda », qui fit trente morts le 16 août 1953, passent en jugement |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1954/11/30/quatre-vingt-seize-marocains-poursuivis-pour-participation-a-la-tuerie-qui-fit-le-16-aout-1953-trente-morts-a-oujda-passent-en-jugement_2026822_1819218.html|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref> France allowed Mohammed V to return in 1955, and the negotiations that led to Moroccan independence began the following year.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20091030183316/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572952_9/Morocco.html Morocco (Page 9 of 9)]". Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009.</ref> In March 1956 Morocco regained its independence from France as the Kingdom of Morocco. A month later Spain forsook its protectorate in Northern Morocco to the new state but kept its two coastal enclaves ([[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]]) on the Mediterranean coast which dated from earlier conquests, but over which Morocco still claims [[sovereignty]] to this day.

===Post-independence===
{{expand section|date=July 2023}}
Sultan Mohammed became King in 1957. Upon the death of Mohammed V, [[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]] became King of Morocco on 3 March 1961. Morocco held its first [[Moroccan parliamentary election, 1963|general elections in 1963]]. However, Hassan declared a state of emergency and suspended parliament in 1965. In 1971 and 1972, there were two failed attempts to depose the king and establish a republic. A truth commission set up in 2005 to investigate human rights abuses during his reign confirmed nearly 10,000 cases, ranging from death in detention to forced exile. Some 592 people were recorded killed during Hassan's rule according to the truth commission.

In 1963, the [[Sand War]] was fought between Algerian and Moroccan troops over Moroccan claims to parts of Algerian territory. A formal peace agreement was signed in February 1964; however, relations remained strained between the two countries following the conflict.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Farsoun |first1=Karen |last2=Paul |first2=Jim |date=1976 |title=War in the Sahara: 1963 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3011767 |journal=MERIP Reports |issue=45 |pages=13–16 |doi=10.2307/3011767 |jstor=3011767 |issn=0047-7265 |access-date=13 August 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204210150/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3011767 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Spanish [[enclave]] of [[Ifni]] in the south was returned to Morocco in 1969.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1969-01-05 |title=Spanish Return Ifni to Morocco |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/01/05/archives/spanish-return-ifni-to-morocco.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813010516/https://www.nytimes.com/1969/01/05/archives/spanish-return-ifni-to-morocco.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Polisario movement]] was formed in 1973, with the aim of establishing an independent state in the Spanish Sahara. On 6 November 1975, King Hassan asked for volunteers to cross into the Spanish Sahara. Some 350,000 civilians were reported as being involved in the "[[Green March]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14123260 |title=Morocco profile – Timeline |work=BBC News |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=9 January 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223035216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14123260 |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later, Spain agreed to leave the Spanish Sahara, soon to become Western Sahara, and to transfer it to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian control, despite the objections and threats of military intervention by Algeria. Moroccan forces occupied the territory.<ref name="brit" />

Moroccan and Algerian troops [[Western Sahara War|soon clashed in Western Sahara]]. Morocco and Mauritania divided up Western Sahara. Fighting between the Moroccan military and Polisario forces continued for many years. The prolonged war was a considerable financial drain on Morocco. In 1983, Hassan cancelled planned elections amid political unrest and economic crisis. In 1984, Morocco left the Organisation of African Unity in protest at the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic|SADR]]'s admission to the body. Polisario claimed to have killed more than 5,000 Moroccan soldiers between 1982 and 1985.<ref>{{cite web |title=Western Sahara Short Mission Brief |url=https://sites.tufts.edu/wpf/files/2017/07/Western-Sahara-brief.pdf |website=sites.tufts.edu/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182513/https://sites.tufts.edu/wpf/files/2017/07/Western-Sahara-brief.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Algerian authorities have estimated the number of [[Sahrawi refugees]] in Algeria to be 165,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.yahoo.com/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20010418142816/http://groups.yahoo.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2001|title=Yahoo! Groups|website=groups.yahoo.com}}</ref> Diplomatic relations with Algeria were restored in 1988. In 1991, a UN-monitored ceasefire began in Western Sahara, but the territory's status remains undecided and ceasefire violations are reported. The following decade saw much wrangling over a [[Houston Agreement|proposed referendum]] on the future of the territory but the deadlock was not broken.<ref>{{cite book|title=Self-Determination and Secession in International Law|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nZuzAwAAQBAJ&q=Houston+Agreement&pg=PA258|page=258| editor1-first=Christian | editor1-last=Walter| editor2-first= Antje von| editor2-last= Ungern-Sternberg| editor3-first= Kavus| editor3-last= Abushov|publisher=OUP Oxford |year=2014|isbn=9780191006913 }}</ref>

[[File:Redeployment of Polisario Forces 9-83.png|thumb|left|Map of the [[Western Sahara War]] (1975–1991).]]
Political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature with Morocco's first opposition-led government coming to power. King Hassan II died in 1999 and was succeeded by his son, [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Morocco: Royal Succession and Other Developments |url=https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RS20391.html |website=everycrsreport.com |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182514/https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RS20391.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is a cautious moderniser who has introduced some economic and social liberalisation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Morocco's king pardons satirist |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3376601.stm |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2004 |access-date=22 February 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511212519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3376601.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Mohammed VI paid a controversial visit to the Western Sahara in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Morocco will not relinquish territory, King says |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2002/03/07/morocco-will-not-relinquish-territory-king-sayshttps://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2002/03/07/morocco-will-not-relinquish-territory-king-says |access-date=7 March 2002 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Morocco unveiled an autonomy blueprint for Western Sahara to the United Nations in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chronology-Western Sahara -- a 50 year dispute |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1118027 |work=Reuters |date=11 April 2007 |language=en |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182512/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1118027 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Polisario rejected the plan and put forward its own proposal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Africa's oldest territorial dispute rumbles on |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sahara-idUSL1610108120070416 |work=Reuters |date=16 April 2007 |language=en |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182512/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sahara-idUSL1610108120070416 |url-status=live }}</ref> Morocco and the Polisario Front held UN-sponsored talks in New York City but failed to come to any agreement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Factbox-Some facts about Western Sahara dispute |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/western-sahara/factbox-some-facts-about-western-sahara-dispute |website=reliefweb.int |date=7 November 2010 |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=15 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915234147/http://reliefweb.int/report/western-sahara/factbox-some-facts-about-western-sahara-dispute |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, security forces stormed a protest camp in the Western Sahara, triggering violent demonstrations in the regional capital [[El Aaiún]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadly clashes as Morocco breaks up Western Sahara camp |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-11710400 |work=BBC News |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003190001/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-11710400 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Visit France (44046554080).jpg|thumb|[[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]] and other world leaders and representatives attend the [[Armistice Day centenary]] in November 2018.]]
In 2002, Morocco and Spain agreed to a US-brokered resolution over the disputed island of [[Perejil Island|Perejil]]. Spanish troops had taken the normally uninhabited island after Moroccan soldiers landed on it and set up tents and a flag.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spain withdraws after island deal - July 20, 2002 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/07/20/morocco.spain/ |work=edition.cnn.com |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182512/https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/07/20/morocco.spain/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There were renewed tensions in 2005, as dozens of African migrants stormed the borders of the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. In response, Spain deported dozens of the illegal migrants to Morocco from Melilla.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spain deports illegal enclave migrants |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/10/7/spain-deports-illegal-enclave-migrants |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |date=7 Oct 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182514/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/10/7/spain-deports-illegal-enclave-migrants |archive-date= Oct 3, 2023 }}</ref> In 2006, the Spanish Premier [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero|Zapatero]] visited Spanish enclaves. He was the first Spanish leader in 25 years to make an official visit to the territories.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spain PM visits troubled enclaves |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4665310.stm |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4665310.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, Spanish King [[Juan Carlos I]] visited Ceuta and Melilla, further angering Morocco which demanded control of the enclaves.<ref>{{cite news |title=Morocco king condemns royal visit |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7082766.stm |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182552/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7082766.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2011–2012 Moroccan protests]], thousands of people rallied in Rabat and other cities calling for political reform and a new constitution curbing the powers of the king. In July 2011, the King won a landslide victory in a [[2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum|referendum]] on a reformed constitution he had proposed to placate the [[Arab Spring]] protests.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-24 |title=Why has Morocco's king survived the Arab Spring? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15856989 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306045108/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15856989 |archive-date=6 March 2014 }}</ref> In the first [[2011 Moroccan general election|general elections]] that followed, the moderate Islamist [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] won a plurality of seats, with [[Abdelilah Benkirane]] being designated as head of government per the new constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-29 |title=Maroc: Mohammed VI nomme Abdelilah Benkirane chef du gouvernement |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/178337/politique/maroc-mohammed-vi-nomme-abdelilah-benkirane-premier-ministre/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121010554/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/178337/politique/maroc-mohammed-vi-nomme-abdelilah-benkirane-premier-ministre/ |archive-date=21 January 2016 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Jeune Afrique |language=fr-FR }}</ref> Despite the reforms made by Mohammed VI, demonstrators continued to call for deeper reforms. Hundreds took part in a trade union rally in Casablanca in May 2012. Participants accused the government of failing to deliver on reforms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mass anti-government protest in Morocco |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2012/5/28/mass-anti-government-protest-in-morocco |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003182518/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2012/5/28/mass-anti-government-protest-in-morocco |archive-date= Oct 3, 2023 }}</ref>

On 10 December 2020, [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement|Israel–Morocco normalisation agreement]] was announced and Morocco announced its intention to resume diplomatic relations with Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=bin Taher |first1=Ahmed |last2=Barakat |first2=Mahmoud |date=December 20, 2020 |title=Morocco, Israel: 6 decades of secret ties, cooperation |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/morocco-israel-6-decades-of-secret-ties-cooperation/2083157 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052347/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/morocco-israel-6-decades-of-secret-ties-cooperation/2083157 |archive-date=Feb 16, 2024 |website=Anadolu Ajansı}}</ref> Joint Declaration of the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel was signed on 22 December 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint Declaration |date=22 December 2020 |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Joint-Declaration-US-Morrocco-Israel.pdf |website=state.gov |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240216044129/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Joint-Declaration-US-Morrocco-Israel.pdf |archive-date= Feb 16, 2024 }}</ref>

On 24 August 2021, neighbouring Algeria cut diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Morocco of supporting a separatist group and hostile actions against Algeria. Morocco called the decision unjustified.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Hamid Ould |title=Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/algeria-says-cutting-diplomatic-ties-with-morocco-2021-08-24/#:%7E:text=Speaking%20at%20a%20news%20conference,on%20the%20Western%20Sahara%20issue |work=Reuters |date=25 August 2021 |language=en |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907051009/https://www.reuters.com/world/algeria-says-cutting-diplomatic-ties-with-morocco-2021-08-24/#:%7E:text=Speaking%20at%20a%20news%20conference,on%20the%20Western%20Sahara%20issue |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitude [[2023 Al Haouz earthquake|earthquake]] hit Morocco killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands. The [[Epicenter|epicentre]] of the quake was around 70&nbsp;km southwest of city of Marrakech.<ref>{{cite web |title=Timeline: The Deadly September 8 Earthquake in Morocco |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/09/357589/timeline-the-deadly-september-8-earthquake-in-morocco |website=moroccoworldnews.com |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912063411/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/09/357589/timeline-the-deadly-september-8-earthquake-in-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Morocco}}
[[File:Atlas Mountains snow cover.jpg|thumb|[[Toubkal]], the highest peak in Northern Africa, at {{convert|4167|m|abbr=on|0}}]]
[[File:Panorama Djebel el Kest.jpg|thumb|A section of the [[Anti-Atlas]] near [[Tafraout]]]]
[[File:Morocco Atlas 01.jpg|thumb|upright|An old [[Cedrus atlantica|Atlas cedar]] tree in the Atlas range]]
Morocco has a coast by the [[Atlantic Ocean]] that reaches past the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] into the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. It is bordered by [[Spain]] to the north (a water border through the Strait and [[Morocco–Spain border|land borders]] with three small Spanish-controlled [[exclave]]s, [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]], and [[Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera]]), [[Algeria]] to the east, and [[Western Sahara]] to the south. Since Morocco controls most of Western Sahara, its ''de facto'' southern boundary is with [[Mauritania]].<ref name="West_Sahara">{{cite book | last=French | first=D. | title=Statehood and Self-Determination: Reconciling Tradition and Modernity in International Law | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-107-02933-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujd84R1TL2AC&pg=PA260 | access-date=June 14, 2024| pages=259–260}}</ref>

The internationally recognised borders of the country lie between latitudes [[27th parallel north|27°]] and 36°N, and longitudes 1° and [[14th meridian west|14°W]].

The geography of Morocco spans from the Atlantic Ocean, to mountainous areas, to the Sahara desert. Morocco is a [[Northern Africa]]n country, bordering the [[North Atlantic Ocean]] and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and the annexed Western Sahara. It is one of only three nations (along with [[Spain]] and [[France]]) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://infcis.iaea.org/udepo/Resources/Countries/Morocco.pdf|title=Morocco|publisher=IAEA|website=IAEA.org|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

A large part of Morocco is mountainous. The [[Atlas Mountains]] are located mainly in the centre and the south of the country. The [[Rif Mountains]] are located in the north of the country. Both ranges are mainly inhabited by the [[Berber people]].<ref name="Aïtel-2014">{{Cite book |last=Aïtel |first=Fazia |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/895334326 |title=We are Imazigen : the development of Algerian Berber identity in twentieth-century literature and culture |date=2014 |isbn=978-0-8130-4895-6 |location=Gainesville, FL |publisher=University of Florida Press |oclc=895334326}}</ref> Its total area is about {{convert|446300|km2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="BBC country profile">{{cite web |date=26 November 2023 |title=Morocco country profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14121438 |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=BBC News |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127170356/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14121438 |url-status=live }}</ref> Algeria borders Morocco to the east and southeast, though the border between the two countries has been closed since 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/morocco-wants-normal-ties-with-algeria-king-says-2023-07-29/|title=Morocco wants normal ties with Algeria, king says|date=29 July 2023|accessdate=3 January 2024|work=Reuters|language=en}}</ref>

Spanish territory in Northwest Africa neighbouring Morocco comprises five enclaves on the Mediterranean coast: [[Ceuta]], [[Melilla]], [[Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera]], [[Peñón de Alhucemas]], the [[Islas Chafarinas|Chafarinas]] islands, and the disputed islet [[Isla Perejil|Perejil]]. Off the Atlantic coast the [[Canary Islands]] belong to Spain, whereas [[Madeira]] to the north is [[Portugal|Portuguese]]. To the north, Morocco is bordered by the Strait of Gibraltar, where international shipping has unimpeded [[transit passage]] between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The Rif mountains stretch over the region bordering the Mediterranean from the north-west to the north-east. The Atlas Mountains run down the backbone of the country,<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Morocco |volume=18 |page=852 |first1=James |last1=Meakin |first2=Kate |last2=Meakin}}</ref> from the northeast to the southwest. Most of the southeast portion of the country is in the [[Sahara Desert]] and as such is generally sparsely populated and unproductive economically. Most of the population lives to the north of these mountains, while to the south lies the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco in 1975 (see [[Green March]]).{{efn|Pending resolution of the [[Western Sahara conflict]]}} Morocco claims that the Western Sahara is part of its territory and refers to that as its [[Southern Provinces]].<ref name="West_Sahara"/>

Morocco's capital city is [[Rabat]]; its largest city is its main port, [[Casablanca]]. Other cities recording a population over 500,000 in the [[2014 Moroccan census]] are [[Fes]], [[Marrakesh]], [[Meknes]], [[Salé]] and [[Tangier]].<ref name=moroccocensus2014>{{cite web |url=http://rgph2014.hcp.ma/file/166326/ |title=Population Légale des Régions, Provinces, Préfectures, Municipalités, Arrondissements et Communes du Royaume D'Après Les Résultats du RGPH 2014 |language=ar, fr |publisher=High Commission for Planning, Morocco |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010160550/http://rgph2014.hcp.ma/file/166326/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Morocco is represented in the [[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]] geographical encoding standard by the symbol ''MA''.<ref name="ISO3166">{{cite web |url=http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/english_country_names_and_code_elements.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721191154/http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/english_country_names_and_code_elements.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 |title= English country names and code elements |access-date=24 May 2008 |publisher=International Organization for Standardization |date=15 May 2008}}</ref> This code was used as the basis for Morocco's internet domain, [[.ma]].<ref name="ISO3166"/>

===Climate===
[[File:Morocco Köppen.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] climate types in Morocco]]
In area, Morocco's climate is mainly "[[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|hot summer Mediterranean]]" (''Csa'') and "[[hot desert climate|hot desert]]" (''BWh'') zones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/morocco|title=Morocco - Summary|publisher=The World Bank Group|website=ClimateChangeKnowledgePortal.WorldBankGroup.org|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

Central mountain ranges and the effects of the cold [[Canary Current]], off the [[Atlantic]] coast, are significant factors in Morocco's relatively large variety of vegetation zones, ranging from lush forests in the northern and central mountains, giving way to steppe, semi-arid and desert areas in the eastern and southern regions. The Moroccan coastal plains experience moderate temperatures even in summer.<ref name="climate">{{cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pa00mtzd.pdf|title=Climate Change Risk Profile Morocco|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|website=USAID.gov|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

In the Rif, Middle and High Atlas Mountains, there exist several different types of climates: Mediterranean along the coastal lowlands, giving way to a humid temperate climate at higher elevations with sufficient moisture to allow for the growth of different species of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, and Atlantic fir which is a royal conifer tree [[Endemism|endemic]] to Morocco.<ref name=gaussen>Gaussen, H. (1964). Genre ''Cedrus''. Les Formes Actuelles. ''Trav. Lab. For. Toulouse'' T2 V1 11: 295-320</ref> In the valleys, fertile soils and high precipitation allow for the growth of thick and lush forests. Cloud forests can be found in the west of the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas Mountains. At higher elevations, the climate becomes alpine in character, and can sustain ski resorts.<ref name="climate"/>

Southeast of the Atlas mountains, near the Algerian borders, the climate becomes very dry, with long and hot summers. Extreme heat and low moisture levels are especially pronounced in the lowland regions east of the Atlas range due to the rain shadow effect of the mountain system. The southeasternmost portions of Morocco are very hot, and include portions of the [[Sahara]] desert, where vast swathes of sand dunes and rocky plains are dotted with lush [[Oasis|oases]].<ref name="city_climate">{{cite journal|title=Spatiotemporal Thermal Variations in Moroccan Cities: A Comparative Analysis|pmid=37448080|doi=10.3390/s23136229|author=Ahmed Derdouri|journal=Sensors (Basel)|date=2023 |volume=23 |issue=13 |page=6229 |doi-access=free |pmc=10346751 |bibcode=2023Senso..23.6229D }}</ref>

In contrast to the Sahara region in the south, coastal [[plain]]s are fertile in the central and northern regions of the country, and comprise the backbone of the country's agriculture, in which 95% of the population live. The direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean, the proximity to mainland Europe and the long stretched Rif and Atlas mountains are the factors of the rather European-like climate in the northern half of the country. That makes Morocco a country of contrasts. [[Forest|Forested areas]] cover about 12% of the country while arable land accounts for 18%. Approximately 5% of Moroccan land is irrigated for agricultural use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/15725-WB_Morocco%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf|title=Climate Change Risk Profile Morocco|publisher=World Bank Group|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Merzouga sahara.jpg|thumb|Landscape of the [[Erg Chebbi]]]]
[[File:Djebel Toubkal 01.jpg|thumb|[[Atlas Mountains]]]]
In general, apart from the southeast regions (pre-Saharan and desert areas), Morocco's climate and geography are very similar to the Iberian peninsula. Thus Morocco has the following climate zones:
* '''Mediterranean:''' Dominates the coastal Mediterranean regions of the country, along the (500&nbsp;km strip), and some parts of the Atlantic coast. Summers are hot to moderately hot and dry, average highs are between {{convert|29|C|1}} and {{convert|32|C|1}}. Winters are generally mild and wet, daily average temperatures hover around {{convert|9|C|1}} to {{convert|11|C|1}}, and average low are around {{convert|5|C|1}} to {{convert|8|C|1}}, typical to the coastal areas of the west Mediterranean. Annual Precipitation in this area vary from 600 to 800&nbsp;mm in the west to 350–500&nbsp;mm in the east. Notable cities that fall into this zone are [[Tangier]], [[Tetouan]], [[Al Hoceima]], [[Nador]] and [[Safi, Morocco|Safi]].
* '''Sub-Mediterranean:''' It influences cities that show Mediterranean characteristics, but remain fairly influenced by other climates owing to their either relative elevation, or direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean. We thus have two main influencing climates:

:* ''Oceanic:'' Determined by the cooler summers, where highs are around {{convert|27|C|1}} and in terms of the Essaouira region, are almost always around {{convert|21|C|1}}. The medium daily temperatures can get as low as {{convert|19|C|1}}, while winters are chilly to mild and wet. Annual precipitation varies from 400 to 700&nbsp;mm. Notable cities that fall into this zone are [[Rabat]], [[Casablanca]], [[Kénitra]], [[Salé]] and [[Essaouira]].<ref name="city_climate"/>

:* ''Continental:'' Determined by the bigger gap between highs and lows, that results in hotter summers and colder winters, than found in typical Mediterranean zones. In summer, daily highs can get as high as {{convert|40|C|1}} during heat waves, but usually are between {{convert|32|C|1}} and {{convert|36|C|1}}. However, temperatures drop as the sun sets. Night temperatures usually fall below {{convert|20|C|1}}, and sometimes as low as {{convert|10|C|1}} in mid-summer. Winters are cooler, and can get below the freezing point multiple times between December and February. Also, snow can fall occasionally. Fès for example registered {{convert|-8|C|1}} in winter 2005. Annual precipitation varies between 500 and 900&nbsp;mm. Notable cities are [[Fès]], [[Meknès]], [[Chefchaouen]], [[Beni-Mellal]] and [[Taza]].<ref name="city_climate"/>
* '''Continental:''' Dominates the mountainous regions of the north and central parts of the country, where summers are hot to very hot, with highs between {{convert|32|C|1}} and {{convert|36|C|1}}. Winters on the other hand are cold, and lows usually go beyond the freezing point. And when cold damp air comes to Morocco from the northwest, for a few days, temperatures sometimes get below {{convert|-5|C|1}}. It often snows abundantly in this part of the country. Precipitation varies between 400 and 800&nbsp;mm. Notable cities are [[Khenifra]], [[Imilchil]], [[Midelt]] and [[Azilal]].
* '''Alpine:''' Found in some parts of the Middle Atlas Mountain range and the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountain range. Summers are very warm to moderately hot, and winters are longer, cold and snowy. Precipitation varies between 400 and 1200&nbsp;mm. In summer highs barely go above {{convert|30|C|1}}, and lows are cool and average below {{convert|15|C|1}}. In winters, highs average around {{convert|8|C|1}}, and lows go well below the freezing point. In this part of country, there are many ski resorts, such as Oukaimeden and Mischliefen. Notable cities are [[Ifrane]], [[Azrou]] and [[Boulmane]].
* '''Semi-arid:''' This type of climate is found in the south of the country and some parts of the east of the country, where rainfall is lower and annual precipitations are between 200 and 350&nbsp;mm. However, one usually finds Mediterranean characteristics in those regions, such as the precipitation pattern and thermal attributes. Notable cities are [[Agadir]], [[Marrakesh]] and [[Oujda]].<ref name="city_climate"/>

South of Agadir and east of Jerada near the Algerian borders, arid and desert climate starts to prevail.

Due to Morocco's proximity to the Sahara desert and the North Sea of the Atlantic Ocean, two phenomena occur to influence the regional seasonal temperatures, either by raising temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius when [[sirocco]] blows from the east creating heatwaves, or by lowering temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius when cold damp air blows from the northwest, creating a coldwave or cold spell. However, these phenomena do not last for more than two to five days on average.<ref>{{cite journal|format=PDF|url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/1090/1/012034/pdf|title=Impact of climate change on extremes events in Morocco|author1=W. Hammoudy|author2=R. Ilmen|author3=M. Sinan|journal=IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci|date=2022 |volume=1090 |issue=1 |page=012034 |doi=10.1088/1755-1315/1090/1/012034|bibcode=2022E&ES.1090a2034H |doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Climate change in Morocco|Climate change]] is expected to significantly impact Morocco on multiple dimensions. As a coastal country with hot and arid climates, environmental impacts are likely to be wide and varied. As of the 2019 [[Climate Change Performance Index]], Morocco was ranked second in [[Climate change in Sweden|preparedness behind Sweden]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Morocco: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control|url=https://www.afrik21.africa/en/morocco-ranked-second-worldwide-in-climate-change-control/|date=30 April 2020|website=Afrik 21|language=en-US|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210154206/https://www.afrik21.africa/en/morocco-ranked-second-worldwide-in-climate-change-control/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Biodiversity===
{{main|Wildlife of Morocco}}
[[File:Portrait of a father.jpg|thumb|An adult male [[Barbary macaque]] carrying his offspring, a behaviour rarely found in other primates.]]
[[File:Caracal - Flickr - Ragnhild & Neil Crawford (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[Caracal]]]]
Morocco has a wide range of [[biodiversity]]. It is part of the [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean basin]], an area with exceptional concentrations of endemic species undergoing rapid rates of habitat loss, and is therefore considered to be a hotspot for conservation priority.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Myers|first1=Norman|last2=Mittermeier|first2=Russell A.|last3=Mittermeier|first3=Cristina G.|last4=da Fonseca|first4=Gustavo A. B.|last5=Kent|first5=Jennifer|date= 2000|title=Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities|journal=Nature|volume=403|issue=6772|pages=853–858|doi=10.1038/35002501|pmid=10706275|bibcode=2000Natur.403..853M|s2cid=4414279}}</ref> [[Bird|Avifauna]] are notably variant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanconservation.org/moroccoprofile.html |title=Profile on Morocco |access-date=10 May 2007 |publisher=African Conservation Foundation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040302201903/http://www.africanconservation.org/moroccoprofile.html |archive-date = 2 March 2004}}</ref> The avifauna of Morocco includes a total of 454 species, five of which have been [[introduced species|introduced]] by humans, and 156 are rarely or accidentally seen.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.go-south.org/08_Go_SouthBulletin/gsb_7_15-55.pdf|author=Bergier, P.|author2=Thévenot, M.|year=2006|title=Liste des oiseaux du Maroc|journal=Go-South Bull|volume=3|pages=51–83|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118223945/http://www.go-south.org/08_Go_SouthBulletin/gsb_7_15-55.pdf|archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref>

The [[Barbary lion]], hunted to extinction in the wild, was a subspecies native to Morocco and is a national emblem.<ref name=CIA/> The last Barbary lion in the wild was shot in the Atlas Mountains in 1922.<ref>{{Cite book|editor=Nowell K, Jackson P|title=Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan|chapter-url=http://carnivoractionplans1.free.fr/wildcats.pdf|year=1996|publisher=IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group|location=Gland, Switzerland|isbn=978-2-8317-0045-8|pages=17–21|chapter=Panthera Leo|access-date=20 March 2011|archive-date=7 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807215533/http://carnivoractionplans1.free.fr/wildcats.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The other two primary predators of northern Africa, the [[Atlas bear]] and [[Barbary leopard]], are now extinct and critically endangered, respectively. Relic populations of the [[West African crocodile]] persisted in the [[Draa river]] until the 20th century.<ref>"[http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0014734 Crocodiles in the Sahara Desert: An Update of Distribution, Habitats and Population Status for Conservation Planning in Mauritania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810113430/http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0014734 |date=10 August 2018 }}". ''[[PLOS ONE]]''. 25 February 2011.</ref>

The Barbary macaque, a primate endemic to Morocco and Algeria, is also facing extinction due to offtake for trade<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Nijman|first1=Vincent|last2=Bergin|first2=Daniel|last3=Lavieren|first3=Els van|date=1 July 2015|title=Barbary macaques exploited as photo-props in Marrakesh's punishment square|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280111452|journal=ResearchGate|volume=Jul–Sep|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133214/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280111452|url-status=live}}</ref> human interruption, urbanisation, wood and real estate expansion that diminish forested area – the macaque's habitat.

Trade of animals and plants for food, pets, medicinal purposes, souvenirs and photo props is common across Morocco, despite laws making much of it illegal.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bergin|first1=Daniel|last2=Nijman|first2=Vincent|date=21 December 2015|title=Potential benefits of impending Moroccan wildlife trade laws, a case study in carnivore skins|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287807462|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|volume=25|issue=1|pages=199–201|doi=10.1007/s10531-015-1042-1|s2cid=34533018|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107220433/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287807462_Potential_benefits_of_impending_Moroccan_wildlife_trade_laws_a_case_study_in_carnivore_skins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bergin|first1=Daniel|last2=Nijman|first2=Vincent|date=1 November 2014|title=Open, Unregulated Trade in Wildlife in Morocco's Markets|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267748463|journal=ResearchGate|volume=26|issue=2|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133219/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267748463|url-status=live}}</ref> This trade is unregulated and causing unknown reductions of wild populations of native Moroccan wildlife. Because of the proximity of northern Morocco to Europe, species such as cacti, tortoises, mammal skins, and high-value birds (falcons and bustards) are harvested in various parts of the country and exported in appreciable quantities, with especially large volumes of eel harvested – 60 tons exported to the Far East in the period 2009‒2011.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Nijman|first1=Vincent|last2=Bergin|first2=Daniel|last3=Lavieren|first3=Els van|date=1 September 2016|title=Conservation in an ever-globalizing world: wildlife trade in, from, and through Morocco, a gateway to Europe|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307598081|journal=ResearchGate|access-date=11 January 2017|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905012505/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307598081_Conservation_in_an_ever-globalizing_world_wildlife_trade_in_from_and_through_Morocco_a_gateway_to_Europe|url-status=live}}</ref>

Morocco is home to six terrestrial ecoregions: [[Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests]], [[Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe]], [[Mediterranean acacia-argania dry woodlands and succulent thickets]], [[Mediterranean dry woodlands and steppe]], [[Mediterranean woodlands and forests]], and [[North Saharan steppe and woodlands]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> It had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.74/10, ranking it 66th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Morocco}}
[[File:King Mohammed VI (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|The [[King of Morocco]], [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]].]]
According to the 2022 ''[[The Economist Democracy Index|Economist Democracy Index]]'', Morocco is ruled under a [[hybrid regime]], scoring #3 in the [[MENA|Middle East and North Africa]], and #95 in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Democracy Index 2022: Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine |url=https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/DI-final-version-report.pdf |website=[[Economist Intelligence Unit]] |language=en-GB |access-date=2 July 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330123307/https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/DI-final-version-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Morocco has a "difficult" ranking on the 2023 ''[[World Press Freedom Index]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-19 |title=Morocco / Western Sahara |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/morocco-western-sahara |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=rsf.org |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702083153/https://rsf.org/en/country/morocco-western-sahara |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the March 1998 elections, a coalition government headed by opposition [[socialism|socialist]] leader [[Abderrahmane Youssoufi]] and composed largely of ministers drawn from opposition parties, was formed. Prime Minister Youssoufi's government was the first ever government drawn primarily from opposition parties, and also represents the first opportunity for a coalition of socialists, left-of-centre, and nationalist parties to be included in the government until October 2002. It was also the first time in the modern political history of the Arab world that the opposition assumed power following an election. The current government is headed by [[Aziz Akhannouch]].

The [[Constitution of Morocco]] provides for a monarchy with a [[Parliament of Morocco|Parliament]] and an independent [[judiciary]]. With the [[Moroccan constitutional referendum, 2011|2011 constitutional reforms]], the King of Morocco retains less executive powers whereas those of the prime minister have been enlarged.<ref>Schemm, Paul (17 June 2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110623180751/https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110617/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_morocco_king King declares Morocco a constitutional monarchy]. Associated Press.</ref><ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0702/breaking8.html Moroccan king in referendum win] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024053618/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0702/breaking8.html |date=24 October 2012 }}. ''The Irish Times''. 2 July 2011.</ref>

The constitution grants the king honorific powers (among other powers); he is both the secular political leader and the "[[Amir al-Mu'minin|Commander of the Faithful]]" as a direct descendant of the Prophet [[Mohammed]]. He presides over the Council of Ministers; appoints the Prime Minister from the political party that has won the most seats in the parliamentary elections, and on recommendations from the latter, appoints the members of the government.

The constitution of 1996 theoretically allowed the king to terminate the tenure of any minister, and after consultation with the heads of the higher and lower Assemblies, to dissolve the Parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree. The only time this happened was in 1965. The King is formally the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

===Legislative branch===
[[File:Parliament of morocco.jpg|thumb|The legislature's building in Rabat.]]
Since the constitutional reform of 1996, the bicameral legislature consists of two chambers. The [[Assembly of Representatives of Morocco]] (''Majlis an-Nuwwâb/Assemblée des Répresentants'') has 395 members elected for a five-year term, 305 elected in multi-seat [[constituency|constituencies]] and 90 in national lists consisting of women and youth.

The [[Assembly of Councillors]] (''Majlis al-Mustasharin'') has 120 members, elected for a six-year term. 72 members are elected at the regional level, 20 members are elected from trade unions, 8 seats from professional organisations and 20 from wage-earners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco - House of Councillors |url=https://data.ipu.org/parliament/MA/MA-UC01/ |access-date=2024-06-01}}</ref>

The Parliament's powers, though still relatively limited, were expanded under the 1992 and 1996 and even further in the 2011 constitutional revisions and include [[budget]]ary matters, approving [[bill (proposed law)|bill]]s, questioning ministers, and establishing ad hoc commissions of inquiry to investigate the government's actions. The lower chamber of Parliament may dissolve the government through a [[vote of no confidence]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amraoui |first=Ahmed El |title=Morocco election: Everything you need to know |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/9/30/morocco-election-everything-you-need-to-know |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210182618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/9/30/morocco-election-everything-you-need-to-know |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-03-11 |title=Morocco |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100602.htm |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=US Department of State |archive-date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206195317/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100602.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco: Government |url=https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/morocco/government |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=globaledge.msu.edu |language=en-us |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605041633/https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/morocco/government |url-status=live }}</ref>

The latest parliamentary elections were held on [[2021 Moroccan general election|8 September 2021]]. Voter turnout in these elections was estimated to be 50.35% of registered voters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Elections: High Turnout in Southern Provinces, Tangible Proof of Attachment to Morocco - Mauritanian Political Parties {{!}} MapNews |url=https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/2021-elections-high-turnout-southern-provinces-tangible-proof-attachment-morocco |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.mapnews.ma |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601064949/https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/2021-elections-high-turnout-southern-provinces-tangible-proof-attachment-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2021-09-09 |title=Morocco elections: Islamists suffer losses as liberal parties gain ground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/09/islamists-suffer-losses-as-liberal-parties-gain-ground-in-morocco-elections |access-date=2024-06-01 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
[[File:Administrative Regions of Morocco.jpg|thumb|The administrative regions of Morocco]]
Morocco is officially divided into 12 [[Regions of Morocco|region]]s,<ref name=reg>{{cite web |url=http://www.pncl.gov.ma/fr/EspaceJuridique/DocLib/d%C3%A9cret%20fixant%20le%20nombre%20des%20r%C3%A9gions.pdf |title=Décret fixant le nom des régions |access-date=11 July 2015 |work=Portail National des Collectivités Territoriales |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083233/http://www.pncl.gov.ma/fr/EspaceJuridique/DocLib/d%C3%A9cret%20fixant%20le%20nombre%20des%20r%C3%A9gions.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> which, in turn, are subdivided into [[Prefectures and provinces of Morocco|62 provinces and 13 prefectures]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/yma.html|title=Morocco Prefectures|website=www.statoids.com|access-date=4 November 2006|archive-date=16 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516150543/http://www.statoids.com/yma.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Regions'''
# [[Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima]]
# [[Oriental (Morocco)|Oriental]]
# [[Fès-Meknès]]
# [[Rabat-Salé-Kénitra]]
# [[Béni Mellal-Khénifra]]
# [[Casablanca-Settat]]
# [[Marrakesh-Safi]]
# [[Drâa-Tafilalet]]
# [[Souss-Massa]]
# [[Guelmim-Oued Noun]]
# [[Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra]]
# [[Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab]]

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Morocco}}

Morocco is a member of the [[United Nations]] and belongs to the [[African Union]] (<span class="ltr">AU</span>), [[Arab League]], [[Arab Maghreb Union]] (UMA), [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC), the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and the [[Community of Sahel–Saharan States]] (CEN_SAD). Morocco's relationships vary greatly between African, Arab, and Western states. Morocco has had strong ties to the West in order to gain economic and political benefits.<ref name="nationsencyclopedia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Morocco-FOREIGN-POLICY.html|title=Encyclopedia of the Nations: Morocco Foreign Policy|access-date=23 October 2009|archive-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205210719/http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Morocco-FOREIGN-POLICY.html|url-status=live}}</ref> France and Spain remain the primary trade partners, as well as the primary creditors and foreign investors in Morocco. From the total foreign investments in Morocco, the [[European Union]] invests approximately 73.5%, whereas, the Arab world invests only 19.3%. Many countries from the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Persian Gulf]] and [[Maghreb]] regions are getting more involved in large-scale development projects in Morocco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=190 |title=GCC Countries Invest Heavily in Morocco |access-date=23 October 2009 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190426/http://memrieconomicblog.org/bin/content.cgi?article=190 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Ceuta-melilla.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Morocco claims sovereignty over Spanish enclaves of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]].]]
Morocco's membership in the [[African Union]] has been marked by significant events. In 1984, Morocco withdrew from the organisation after it admitted the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]] in 1982 without conducting a referendum of self-determination in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.<ref name="worldbulletin">{{cite news |date=30 January 2017 |title=Morocco rejoins African Union |url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/183967/morocco-rejoins-african-union |access-date=31 January 2017 |publisher=Worldbulletin |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720013737/http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/183967/morocco-rejoins-african-union |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=30 January 2017 |title=Morocco to rejoin African Union despite Western Sahara dispute |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38795676 |access-date=31 January 2017 |work=BBC News |publisher=bbc.com |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415234904/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38795676 |url-status=live }}</ref> This decision was made unilaterally by Morocco. However, in 2017, Morocco rejoined the AU, signaling a shift in its diplomatic stance. In August 2021, [[Algeria]] severed diplomatic relations with Morocco.<ref>{{cite web |title=Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco over 'hostile actions' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/24/algeria-cuts-diplomatic-ties-with-morocco |website=Al-Jazeera |date=24 August 2021 |ref=1 |access-date=29 August 2021 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404144707/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/24/algeria-cuts-diplomatic-ties-with-morocco |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002, a [[Perejil Island crisis|dispute with Spain in 2002 over the small island of Perejil]] arose, which brought attention to the issue of the sovereignty of [[Melilla]] and [[Ceuta]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tremlett |first=Giles |date=2002-07-13 |title=Moroccans seize Parsley Island and leave a bitter taste in Spanish mouths |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/13/spain.gilestremlett |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416115708/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/13/spain.gilestremlett |url-status=live }}</ref> These small enclaves on the Mediterranean coast are surrounded by Morocco and have been under Spanish administration for centuries.

In 2004, the [[George W. Bush administration]] granted Morocco the status of [[major non-NATO ally]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 June 2004|title=US rewards Morocco for terror aid|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3776413.stm|access-date=7 November 2021|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129053156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3776413.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> It is worth noting that Morocco was the first country in the world to recognise US sovereignty, in 1777.

After gaining independence, [[Morocco–United States relations|Morocco established strong ties with the United States]], receiving significant economic and military aid.<ref name=":8" /> This partnership flourished during the [[Cold War]], with Morocco becoming a key ally against communist expansion in [[North Africa]]. In return, the US supported Morocco's territorial ambitions and efforts to modernise its economy. Morocco received more than $400 million in American aid between 1957 and 1963, which elevated it to the fifth-largest recipient of US agricultural assistance by 1966. The long-lasting relationship between the two nations has endured, with the US remaining one of Morocco's top allies.

Additionally, Morocco is included in the European Union's [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP), which aims at bringing the [[European Union|EU]] and its neighbours closer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=Morocco - European Commission |url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/morocco_en |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403192324/https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/morocco_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Western Sahara status===
{{main|Legal status of Western Sahara}}
[[File:Westernsaharamap.png|thumb|left|Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975. The [[Polisario Front]] control the territory east of the [[Moroccan Wall|Moroccan ''berm'' (wall)]].]]
The status of the [[Saguia el-Hamra]] and [[Río de Oro]] regions is disputed. The [[Western Sahara War]] saw the [[Polisario Front]], the Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement, battling both Morocco and Mauritania between 1976 and a ceasefire in 1991 that is still in effect. A United Nations mission, [[MINURSO]], is tasked with organising a referendum on whether the territory should become independent or recognised as a part of Morocco.

Part of the territory, the [[Free Zone (Western Sahara region)|Free Zone]], is a mostly uninhabited area that the Polisario Front controls as the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]]. Its administrative headquarters are located in [[Tindouf]], Algeria. {{As of|2006}}, no [[member state of the United Nations|UN member state]] had recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.<ref name="daccess-dds-ny.un.org">{{cite web |title=Paragraph 37 |url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2006/249 |work=Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (S/2006/249) |publisher=United Nations Security Council |page=10 |access-date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018112734/http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2006/249 |url-status=live }}</ref>  In 2020, the United States under the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] became the first Western country to back Morocco's contested sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, on the agreement that Morocco would simultaneously normalise [[Israel–Morocco relations|relations with Israel]].<ref>Majid, Jacob.  "[https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-reportedly-wont-reverse-trump-recognition-of-western-sahara-as-moroccos/ Biden reportedly won't reverse Trump recognition of Western Sahara as Morocco's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016004918/https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-reportedly-wont-reverse-trump-recognition-of-western-sahara-as-moroccos/ |date=16 October 2021 }}", ''[[The Times of Israel]]'' (1 May 2021).</ref>

In 2006, the government of Morocco suggested [[autonomy for Western Sahara|autonomous]] status for the region, through the Moroccan [[Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs]] (CORCAS). The project was presented to the [[United Nations Security Council]] in mid-April 2007. The proposal was encouraged by Moroccan allies such as the [[United States]], [[France]] and [[Spain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/the-western-sahara-conflict-a-fragile-path-to-negotiations/|title=The Western Sahara conflict: A fragile path to negotiations|last=Fabiani|first=Riccardo|publisher=Atlantic Council|date=August 3, 2023|website=AtlanticCouncil.org|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref> The Security Council has called upon the parties to enter into direct and unconditional negotiations to reach a mutually accepted political solution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurso/reports.shtml|title=Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara|date=13 April 2007|access-date=18 May 2007|work=UN Security Council|archive-date=28 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228172226/http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurso/reports.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Military===
{{main|Royal Moroccan Armed Forces}}
[[File:FREMM Mohammed VI - Lorient 2013-05.JPG|thumb|''Mohammed VI'', a [[FREMM multipurpose frigate]] of the [[Royal Moroccan Navy]].]]
Morocco's military consists of the Royal Armed Forces—this includes the [[Royal Moroccan Army|Army]] (the largest branch), the [[Royal Moroccan Navy|Navy]], the [[Royal Moroccan Air Force|Air Force]], the [[Moroccan Royal Guard|Royal Guard]], the [[Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie|Royal Gendarmerie]] and the [[Auxiliary Forces]]. Internal security is generally effective, and acts of political violence are rare (with one exception, the [[2003 Casablanca bombings]] which killed 45 people<ref>Migdalovitz, Carol (3 February 2010). ''[http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS21579_20100203.pdf Morocco: Current Issues] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125150908/http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS21579_20100203.pdf |date=25 January 2012}}'', Congressional Research Service.</ref>).

The UN maintains a small observer force in Western Sahara, where a large number of Moroccan troops are stationed. The Sahrawi [[Polisario Front]] maintains an active militia of an estimated 5,000 fighters in Western Sahara and has engaged in intermittent warfare with Moroccan forces since the 1970s.
{{Clear}}

=== Human rights ===
{{See also|Human rights in Morocco|LGBT rights in Morocco}}
During the early 1960s to the late 1980s, under the leadership of [[Hassan II]], Morocco had one of the worst human rights records in both Africa and the world. Government repression of political dissent was widespread during Hassan II's leadership, until it dropped sharply in the mid-1990s. The decades during which abuses were committed are referred to as the [[Years of Lead (Morocco)|Years of Lead]] (''les années de plomb''), and included [[forced disappearance]]s, assassinations of government opponents and protesters, and secret internment camps such as [[Tazmamart]]. To examine abuses committed during the reign of [[Hassan II of Morocco|King Hassan II]] (1961–1999), the government under King Mohammed  set up an [[Equity and Reconciliation Commission]] (IER).<ref>[http://www.ictj.com/mena/morocco.asp ''ICTJ Activity in Morocco''] – [[International Center for Transitional Justice]] (ICTJ) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928230433/http://www.ictj.com/mena/morocco.asp |date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/reports/2005/morocco1105/6.htm#_Toc119468378|title=Morocco's Truth Commission: Honoring Past Victims during an Uncertain Present: V. Constraints on the ERC|website=hrw.org|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031020038/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/morocco1105/6.htm#_Toc119468378|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to a [[Human Rights Watch]] annual report in 2016, Moroccan authorities restricted the rights to peaceful expression, association and assembly through several laws. The authorities continue to prosecute both printed and online media which criticises the government or the [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|king]] (or the royal family).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/morocco/western-sahara|title=Morocco and Western Sahara|chapter=Morocco and Western Sahara: Events of 2015|date=12 January 2016|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529211942/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/morocco/western-sahara|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also persistent allegations of violence against both [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawi]] pro-[[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic|independence]] and pro-[[Polisario]] [[Independence Intifada (Western Sahara)|demonstrators]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/18566|title=afrol News – Western Sahara activists released, re-arrested in riots|website=www.afrol.com|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727232116/http://www.afrol.com/articles/18566|url-status=live}}</ref> in Western Sahara; a disputed territory which is occupied by and considered by Morocco as part of its [[Southern Provinces]]. Morocco has been accused of detaining Sahrawi pro-independence activists as prisoners of conscience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGMDE290072006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422023532/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGMDE290072006 |title=Morocco/Western Sahara: Sahrawi human rights defender on trial |website=Amnesty International |archive-date=22 April 2006}}</ref>

[[LGBT rights by country or territory|Homosexual acts]] as well as pre-marital sex are illegal in Morocco, and can be punishable by six months to three years of imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/469cd6af0.html |title=Refworld &#124; Morocco: The treatment of homosexuals, including protection offered by the state and the attitude of the population |publisher=UNHCR |date=5 March 2007 |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010154533/http://www.refworld.org/docid/469cd6af0.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/criminal-laws-on-homosexuality/african-nations-laws.php |title=Laws on Homosexuality in African Nations |work=Library of Congress |date=2015 |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-date=19 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619211045/http://www.loc.gov/law/help/criminal-laws-on-homosexuality/african-nations-laws.php |url-status=live }}</ref> It is illegal to [[Proselytism|proselytise]] for any religion other than [[Islam in Morocco|Islam]] (article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code), and that crime is punishable by a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment.<ref>{{cite book|title=Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam|author1=Saeed, A.|author2=Saeed, H.|date=2004|publisher=Ashgate|isbn=9780754630838|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HzFZKWc9SCgC|page=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bladi.net/famille-francaise-proselytisme-marrakech,42177.html |title=Une famille française arrêtée pour prosélytisme à Marrakech |date=4 July 2015 |work=bladi.net |language=fr |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010160613/https://www.bladi.net/famille-francaise-proselytisme-marrakech,42177.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Violence against women and sexual harassment have been criminalised. The penalty can be from one month to five years, with fines ranging from $200 to $1,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/morocco-violence-women-law-effect-180912061837132.html|title=Morocco criminalises violence against women and sexual harassment|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=14 September 2018|archive-date=13 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913214246/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/morocco-violence-women-law-effect-180912061837132.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is a criminal offence in Morocco to undermine the monarchy; in August 2023, a Moroccan resident of Qatar was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for criticising the King's policy decisions on Facebook.<ref>{{cite news |title=Moroccan man jailed for five years for criticising king in Facebook posts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/03/moroccan-man-jailed-for-five-years-for-criticising-king-in-facebook-posts |website=Guardian |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023 |agency=Agence France-Presse }}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Morocco}}
[[File:Casablanca Finance City 37.jpg|thumb|left|[[Casablanca Finance City]]]]
Morocco's economy is considered a relatively [[liberal economy]] governed by the [[Supply and demand|law of supply and demand]]. Since 1993, the country has followed a policy of [[privatization|privatisation]] of certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of the [[Politics of Morocco|government]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Leonard |first=Thomas M. |title=Encyclopedia of the Developing World |publisher= Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-97663-3 |page=1085 |year=2006}}</ref> Morocco has become a major player in African economic affairs,<ref>[http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=18&id=1299 Morocco major economic player in Africa, researcher] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222839/http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=18&id=1299 |date=4 March 2016 }}. Moroccobusinessnews.com (16 December 2009). Retrieved 17 April 2015.</ref> and is the [[List of African countries by GDP (nominal)|fifth largest economy in Africa]] by GDP (PPP). Morocco was ranked as the first African country by the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]'s [[quality-of-life index]], ahead of [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2020 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303040250/https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in the years since that first-place ranking was given, Morocco has slipped into fourth place behind [[Egypt]].

Government reforms and steady yearly growth in the region of 4–5% from 2000 to 2007, including 4.9% year-on-year growth in 2003–2007 helped the Moroccan economy to become much more robust compared to a few years earlier. For 2012 the World Bank forecast a rate of 4% growth for Morocco and 4.2% for following year, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.nuqudy.com/General_Overview/North_Africa/IMF_Gives_Morocco_P-875|title=IMF Gives Morocco Positive Review. nuqudy.com (2012-02-09).|access-date=12 February 2012|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630031256/http://english.nuqudy.com/General_Overview/North_Africa/IMF_Gives_Morocco_P-875}}</ref>

The [[Economy of Morocco#Services|services sector]] accounts for just over half of [[GDP]] and industry, made up of mining, construction and manufacturing, is an additional quarter. The industries that recorded the highest growth are [[Tourism in Morocco|tourism]], telecoms, information technology, and textile.

===Tourism===
{{main|Tourism in Morocco}}
[[File:Jamaa el Fna (7346063132).jpg|thumb|The [[Jemaa el-Fnaa]] in Marrakech.]]
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Moroccan economy. It is well developed with a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. Morocco attracted more than 13&nbsp;million tourists in 2019. Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Morocco after the phosphate industry. The Moroccan government is heavily investing in tourism development, in 2010 the government launched its Vision 2020 which plans to make Morocco one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world and to double the annual number of international arrivals to 20&nbsp;million by 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelnewsdigest.in/?p=16905|title=Morocco sets the goal of attracting 20 million tourists by 2020|work=India's leading B2B travel news website|access-date=26 July 2014|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727215100/http://www.travelnewsdigest.in/?p=16905|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the hope that tourism will then have risen to 20% of GDP.

Large government sponsored marketing campaigns to attract tourists advertised Morocco as an inexpensive and exotic, yet safe, place for tourists. Most of the visitors to Morocco continue to be European, with French nationals making up almost 20% of all visitors. Most Europeans visit between April and August.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tourisme.gov.ma/en/tourism-figures/dashboards|title=Dashboards|website=Kingdom of Morocco, Ministry of Tourism|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329175651/https://www.tourisme.gov.ma/en/tourism-figures/dashboards}}</ref> Morocco's relatively high number of tourists has been aided by its location—Morocco is close to Europe and attracts visitors to its beaches. Because of its proximity to Spain, tourists in southern Spain's coastal areas take one- to three-day trips to Morocco.

Since air services between Morocco and Algeria have been established, many Algerians have gone to Morocco to shop and visit family and friends. Morocco is relatively inexpensive because of the devaluation of the dirham and the increase of hotel prices in Spain. Morocco has an excellent road and rail infrastructure that links the major cities and tourist destinations with ports and cities with international airports. Low-cost airlines offer reduced-price flights to the country.

[[File:Bab Bou Jeloud-Fez-3.jpg|thumb|View of the medina (old city) of [[Fez, Morocco|Fes]].]]
Tourism is increasingly focused on Morocco's culture, such as its ancient cities. The modern tourist industry capitalises on Morocco's ancient and Islamic sites, and on its landscape and cultural history. 60% of Morocco's tourists visit for its culture and heritage.
Agadir is a major coastal resort and has a third of all Moroccan bed nights.<ref name="tourism">{{cite book|title=Geography of Travel & Tourism|last=Hudman|first=Lloyd E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MyGjpyNAur0C|year=2002|publisher=Thomson Delmar Learning|isbn=0-7668-3256-2|pages=367}}</ref> It is a base for tours to the Atlas Mountains.<ref name="tourism"/> Other resorts in north Morocco are also very popular.<ref name=Eur>{{cite book |title=The Middle East and North Africa 2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Europa Publications, Routledge|isbn=978-1-85743-132-2 |page=863}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Home|url=http://morocco-berbertrips.com/|access-date=5 August 2020|website=Morocco berber trips|language=en-US|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811215125/http://morocco-berbertrips.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Casablanca is the major cruise port in Morocco, and has the best developed market for tourists in Morocco, Marrakech in central Morocco is a popular tourist destination, but is more popular among tourists for one- and two-day excursions that provide a taste of Morocco's history and culture. The Majorelle botanical garden in Marrakech is a popular tourist attraction. It was bought by the fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980. Their presence in the city helped to boost the city's profile as a tourist destination.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yves Saint Laurent's Ashes Scattered In Marrakesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-morocco-saintlaurent.html |work=The New York Times |date=11 June 2008 |access-date=14 June 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

{{As of|2006}}, activity and adventure tourism in the Atlas and Rif Mountains are the fastest growth area in Moroccan tourism. These locations have excellent walking and trekking opportunities from late March to mid-November. The government is investing in trekking circuits. They are also developing desert tourism in competition with [[Tunisia]].<ref name=Shackley>{{cite book |title=Atlas of Travel And Tourism Development |last=Shackley |first=Myra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWOw_U8WpZUC |year=2006 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |isbn=978-0-7506-6348-9 |pages=43–44}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
{{main|Agriculture in Morocco}}
{{Excerpt|Agriculture in Morocco}}

===Infrastructure===
[[File:Al Boraq RGV2N2 at Tanger Ville.jpg|thumb|left|[[Al Boraq]] RGV2N2 high-speed trainset at Tanger-Ville railway station in November 2018]]
According to the [[Global Competitiveness Report]] of 2019, Morocco Ranked 32nd in the world in terms of Roads, 16th in Sea, 45th in Air and 64th in Railways. This gives Morocco the best infrastructure rankings in the African continent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wef.ch/2l9V8ND|title=Economy Profiles}}</ref>

Modern infrastructure development, such as ports, airports, and rail links, is a top government priority. To meet the growing domestic demand, the Moroccan government invested more than $15 billion from 2010 to 2015 in upgrading its basic infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.export.gov/article?id=Morocco-Infrastructure|title=Morocco - Infrastructure &#124; export.gov|website=www.export.gov|access-date=24 November 2019|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213063733/https://www.export.gov/article?id=Morocco-Infrastructure|url-status=live}}</ref>

Morocco has one of the best road systems on the continent. Over the past 20 years, the government has built approximately 1770 kilometers of modern roads, connecting most major cities via toll expressways.  The Moroccan Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics, and Water aims to build an additional 3380 kilometers of expressway and 2100 kilometers of highway by 2030, at an expected cost of $9.6 billion. It focuses on linking the southern provinces, notably the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla to the rest of Morocco.

In 2014, Morocco began the construction of the first high-speed railway system in Africa linking the cities of Tangier and Casablanca. It was inaugurated in 2018 by the King following over a decade of planning and construction by Moroccan national railway company ONCF. It is the first phase of what is planned to eventually be a 1,500 kilometeres (930&nbsp;mi) high-speed rail network in Morocco. An extension of the line to Marrakesh is already being planned.

Morocco also has the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean, [[Tanger-Med]], which is ranked the 18th in the world with a handling capacity of over 9 million containers. It is situated in the Tangier free economic zone and serves as a logistics hub for Africa and the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmpa.ma/en/activites-services/activite-conteneurs/|title=Tanger Med Port Authority – Containers Activity|access-date=2 September 2021|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902203857/https://www.tmpa.ma/en/activites-services/activite-conteneurs/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Energy===
{{main|Energy in Morocco}}
[[File:Isofoton Marruecos.JPG|thumb|[[Solar cell]] panels in eastern Morocco]]
In 2008, about 56% of Morocco's electricity supply was provided by coal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/morocco/electricity-production-from-coal-sources |title=Morocco – electricity production from coal sources |access-date=18 May 2011 |archive-date=8 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808221544/http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/morocco/electricity-production-from-coal-sources |url-status=live }}</ref> However, as forecasts indicate that energy requirements in Morocco will rise 6% per year between 2012 and 2050,<ref name="english.nuqudy.com">{{cite web|url=http://english.nuqudy.com/North_Africa/Natural_Gas_to_Fuel-1576|title=Natural Gas to Fuel Morocco. Nuqudy.com (2012-04-12)|access-date=15 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630022606/http://english.nuqudy.com/North_Africa/Natural_Gas_to_Fuel-1576|archive-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> a new law passed encouraging Moroccans to look for ways to diversify the energy supply, including more [[renewable resources]]. The Moroccan government has launched a project to build a [[solar thermal energy]] [[power plant]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/project-portfolio/project/p-ma-fac-012/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406010949/http://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/project-portfolio/project/p-ma-fac-012/ |archive-date=6 April 2011 |title=Ain Beni Mathar, Morocco Solar Thermal Power Station Project |access-date=18 May 2011}}</ref> and is also looking into the use of natural gas as a potential source of revenue for Morocco's government.<ref name="english.nuqudy.com"/>

Morocco has embarked upon the construction of large [[solar energy]] farms to lessen dependence on fossil fuels, and to eventually export electricity to [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Solar-powered plane lands in Morocco |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/solar-powered-plane-lands-morocco-223555031.html |author=Sschemm, Paul |agency=Associated Press |date=6 June 2012 |access-date=17 January 2017 |archive-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421195022/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/solar-powered-plane-lands-morocco-223555031.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 17 April 2022, Rabat-Moroccan agency for solar energy (Masen) and the ministry of energy transition and sustainable development announced the launch of phase one of the mega project Nor II solar energy plant which is a multi-site solar energy project with a total capacity set at 400 [[Watt|megawatts]] (<span class="ltr">MN</span>).

===Narcotics===
[[File:Cannabis Fields in Ketama Tidighine mountain, Morocco.jpg|thumb|Cannabis field at Ketama Tidighine mountain, Morocco]]
Since the 7th century, [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] has been cultivated in the [[Rif]] region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://laniel.free.fr/INDEXES/GraphicsIndex/KIF_IN_MOROCCO/Histoire_CannabisMaroc.htm |title=Historique de la culture de cannabis au Maroc d'après l'UNODC |publisher=Laniel.free.fr |access-date=9 January 2013 |archive-date=9 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809050534/http://laniel.free.fr/INDEXES/GraphicsIndex/KIF_IN_MOROCCO/Histoire_CannabisMaroc.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, according to the UN World Drugs Report, cultivation and transformation of cannabis represents 0.57% of the national GDP of Morocco in 2002.<ref name="crime2004">{{cite book|author=Nations Unies. Office pour le contrôle des drogues et la prévention du crime|title=Rapport mondial sur les drogues|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k6iHj5DNGxMC|year=2004|publisher=United Nations Publications|isbn=978-92-1-248122-7}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{page needed|date=January 2013}}</ref> According to a French Ministry of the Interior 2006 report, 80% of the cannabis resin (hashish) consumed in Europe comes from the [[Rif]] region in Morocco, which is mostly mountainous terrain in the north of Morocco, also hosting plains that are very fertile and expanding from Melwiyya River and Ras Kebdana in the East to Tangier and Cape Spartel in the West. Also, the region extends from the Mediterranean in the south, home of the Wergha River, to the north.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/drogue/drogue-en-france/menaces-actuelles/view |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209000823/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/drogue/drogue-en-france/menaces-actuelles/view |archive-date=9 February 2009 |title=Mildt – Mission interministérielle de lutte contre la drogue et la toxicomanie |publisher=Interieur.gouv.fr |date=1 October 2006 |access-date=20 December 2012}}</ref> In addition to that, Morocco is a transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2086.html#mo |title=Central Intelligence Agency |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=20 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229044611/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2086.html#mo |archive-date=29 December 2010 }}</ref>

=== Water supply and sanitation ===
{{Main|Water supply and sanitation in Morocco}}
Water supply and sanitation in Morocco is provided by a wide array of utilities. They range from private companies in the largest city, [[Casablanca]], the capital, [[Rabat]],
and two other cities,{{Clarify|date=June 2017}} to public municipal utilities in 13 other cities, as well as a national electricity and water company (ONEE). The latter is in charge of bulk water supply to the aforementioned utilities, water distribution in about 500 small towns, as well as sewerage and wastewater treatment in 60 of these towns.

There have been substantial improvements in access to water supply, and to a lesser extent to sanitation, over the past fifteen years. Remaining challenges include a low level of wastewater treatment (only 13% of collected wastewater is being treated), lack of house connections in the poorest urban neighbourhoods, and limited sustainability of rural systems (20 percent of rural systems are estimated not to function). In 2005 a National Sanitation Programme was approved that aims at treating 60% of collected wastewater and connecting 80% of urban households to sewers by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Sanitation Programme {{!}} European Investment Bank |url=https://www.eib.org/en/projects/pipelines/all/20100315 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.eib.org |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320130429/https://www.eib.org/en/projects/pipelines/all/20100315 |url-status=live }}</ref> The issue of lack of water connections for some of the urban poor is being addressed as part of the [[National Human Development Initiative]], under which residents of informal settlements have received land titles and have fees waived that are normally paid to utilities in order to connect to the water and sewer network.

=== Science and technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in Morocco}}
[[File:Logo UM6P.jpg|thumb|Campus of the [[Mohammed VI Polytechnic University]] in [[Benguerir]]|295x295px]]
The [[Moroccan government]] has been implementing reforms to improve the quality of education and make research more responsive to socio-economic needs. In May 2009, Morocco's prime minister, Abbas El Fassi, announced greater support for science during a meeting at the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research. The aim was to give universities greater financial autonomy from the government to make them more responsive to research needs and better able to forge links with the private sector, in the hope that this would nurture a culture of entrepreneurship in academia. He announced that investment in science and technology would rise from US$620,000 in 2008 to US$8.5 million (69 million Moroccan dirhams) in 2009, in order to finance the refurbishment and construction of laboratories, training courses for researchers in financial management, a scholarship programme for postgraduate research and incentive measures for companies prepared to finance research, such as giving them access to scientific results that they could then use to develop new products.<ref name="scidev.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.scidev.net/en/middle-east-and-north-africa/news/morocco-to-boost-investment-in-science.html|title=Morocco to boost investment in science|last=SciDev.Net|date=9 June 2009|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-date=1 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301035444/http://www.scidev.net/en/middle-east-and-north-africa/news/morocco-to-boost-investment-in-science.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Morocco was ranked 70th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |date=30 October 2023 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022042128/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2013|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2 September 2021|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ''Moroccan Innovation Strategy'' was launched at the country's first National Innovation Summit in June 2009 by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Investment and the Digital Economy. The ''Moroccan Innovation Strategy'' fixed the target of producing 1,000 Moroccan patents and creating 200 innovative start-ups by 2014. In 2012, Moroccan inventors applied for 197 patents, up from 152 two years earlier. In 2011, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and New Technologies created a Moroccan Club of Innovation, in partnership with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property. The idea is to create a network of players in innovation, including researchers, entrepreneurs, students and academics, to help them develop innovative projects.<ref name="Agenor">{{Cite book|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf|title=Arab States. In: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030|last1=Zou'bi|first1=Moneef|last2=Mohamed-Nour|first2=Samia|last3=El-Kharraz|first3=Jauad|last4=Hassan|first4=Nazar|publisher=UNESCO|year=2015|isbn=978-92-3-100129-1|location=Paris|pages=431–469|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630025557/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is supporting research in advanced technologies and the development of innovative cities in Fez, Rabat and Marrakesh.  The government is encouraging public institutions to engage with citizens in innovation. One example is the Moroccan Phosphate Office (Office chérifien des phosphates), which has invested in a project to develop a smart city, King Mohammed VI Green City, around Mohammed VI University located between Casablanca and Marrakesh, at a cost of DH 4.7 billion (''circa'' US$479 million).<ref name="Agenor" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Morocco: Growth Strategy for 2025 in an Evolving International Environment|last1=Agénor|first1=P.R.|last2=El-Aynaoui|first2=K.|publisher=Policy Centre of the Office chérifien des phosphates|year=2015|location=Rabat}}</ref>

As of 2015, Morocco had three technoparks. Since the first technopark was established in Rabat in 2005, a second has been set up in Casablanca, followed, in 2015, by a third in Tangers. The technoparks host start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises specialising in information and communication technologies (ICTs), 'green' technologies (namely, environmentally friendly technologies) and cultural industries.<ref name="Agenor" />

In 2012, the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology identified a number of sectors where Morocco has a comparative advantage and skilled human capital, including mining, fisheries, food chemistry and new technologies. It also identified a number of strategic sectors, such as energy, with an emphasis on renewable energies such as photovoltaic, thermal solar energy, wind and biomass; as well as the water, nutrition and health sectors, the environment and geosciences.<ref name="Agenor" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Developing Scientific Research and Innovation to Win the Battle of Competitiveness: an Inventory and Key Recommendations.|publisher=Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology|year=2012|location=Rabat}}</ref>

On 20 May 2015, less than a year after its inception, the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research presented a report to the king offering a ''Vision for Education in Morocco 2015–2030''. The report advocated making education egalitarian and, thus, accessible to the greatest number. Since improving the quality of education goes hand in hand with promoting research and development, the report also recommended developing an integrated national innovation system which would be financed by gradually increasing the share of GDP devoted to research and development (R&<span class="ltr">D</span>) from 0.73% of GDP in 2010 'to 1% in the short term, 1.5% by 2025 and 2% by 2030'.<ref name="Agenor" />

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Morocco|Moroccans}}
{{Historical populations
| style="width:180px;"|percentages=pagr
|title = Populations (in thousands)<!-- milliers=thousands; millions=millions -->
|source = {{lower|0.4em|<ref>{{cite web |title=Population du Maroc par année civile (en milliers et au milieu de l'année) par milieu de résidence : 1960 – 2050 |url=http://www.hcp.ma/Population-du-Maroc-par-annee-civile-en-milliers-et-au-milieu-de-l-annee-par-milieu-de-residence-1960-2050_a677.html |publisher=Haut-Commissariat au Plan du Royaume du Maroc |access-date=30 January 2013 |archive-date=27 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227092030/http://www.hcp.ma/Population-du-Maroc-par-annee-civile-en-milliers-et-au-milieu-de-l-annee-par-milieu-de-residence-1960-2050_a677.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
|1950 |8986
|1960 |12329
|1970 |16040
|1980 |20072
|1990 |24950
|2000 |28951
|2010 |32108
|2020 |35952
}}
Morocco has a population of around {{UN_Population|Morocco}} inhabitants ({{UN_Population|Year}} est.).{{UN_Population|ref}} It is estimated that between 44%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco - Climate {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco/Climate |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218153356/https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco/Climate |url-status=live }}</ref> and 67%<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fs0Fog7XneUC&pg=PA11 |title=The Report: Morocco 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |isbn=978-1-907065-54-5 |language=en |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307021801/https://books.google.com/books?id=fs0Fog7XneUC&pg=PA11 |url-status=live }}</ref> of residents are [[Arabs]] and between 31%<ref name=":6" /> and 41%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berber|title=Berber people|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801182132/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berber|url-status=live}}; 14 million estimate or ~41% of CIA's estimated national population of 33,986,655 inhabitants</ref> are [[Berbers]]. A sizeable portion of the population is identified as [[Haratin]] and [[Gnawa]] (or Gnaoua), West African or mixed-race descendants of [[Trans-Saharan slave trade|slaves]], and [[Morisco]]s, European Muslims expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 17th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/254867/Haratin |title=Haratin (social class) |publisher=Britannica Online Encyclopedia |access-date=23 June 2022 |archive-date=13 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813024920/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/254867/Haratin |url-status=live }}</ref> Centuries of [[Arab migration to the Maghreb]] since the 7th century shifted the demographic scope of Morocco.

According to the 2014 Morocco population census, there were around 84,000 immigrants in the country. Of these foreign-born residents, most were of [[French people|French]] origin, followed by individuals mainly from various nations in West Africa and Algeria.<ref>{{cite book|last1=OECD|title=Talent Abroad: A Review of Moroccan Emigrants|date=2017|publisher=OECD Publishing|isbn=978-9264264281|page=167|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yTIxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA167|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010194758/https://books.google.com/books?id=yTIxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA167|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also a number of foreign residents of [[Spanish people|Spanish]] origin. Some of them are descendants of colonial settlers, who primarily work for European multinational companies, while others are married to Moroccans or are retirees. Prior to independence, Morocco was home to half a million [[European Moroccans|Europeans]]; who were mostly [[Christians]].<ref>De Azevedo, Raimondo Cagiano (1994) ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=N8VHizsqaH0C&pg=PA25 Migration and development co-operation.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101114550/https://books.google.com/books?id=N8VHizsqaH0C&pg=PA25 |date=1 November 2022 }}''. Council of Europe. p. 25. {{ISBN|92-871-2611-9}}.</ref> Also, prior to independence, Morocco was home to 250,000 Spaniards.<ref>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?id=97 Spain: Forging an Immigration Policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121133912/http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=97 |date=21 January 2014 }}, Migration Information Source</ref> Morocco's once prominent [[Jews|Jewish]] minority has decreased significantly since its peak of 265,000 in 1948, declining to around 3,500 in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM |date=2022 |title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Morocco |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/morocco/ |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222135123/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/morocco/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Morocco has a large [[Moroccan diaspora|diaspora]], most of which is located in France, which has reportedly over one million Moroccans of up to the third generation. There are also large Moroccan communities in Spain (about 700,000 Moroccans),<ref>{{Cite book|title=Avance del Padrón a 1 de enero de 2009. Datos provisionales|chapter=Población extranjera por sexo, país de nacionalidad y edad (hasta 85 y más).|year=2009|access-date=13 June 2009|publisher=[[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|Instituto Nacional de Estadística]]|location=Spain|ref=CITEREFINE2009|chapter-url=http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=/t20/e245/p04/provi/l0/&file=00000010.PX&type=pcaxis&L=0|archive-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710133750/http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=/t20/e245/p04/provi/l0/&file=00000010.px&type=pcaxis&L=0}}</ref> the Netherlands (360,000), and Belgium (300,000).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=339 |title=Morocco: From Emigration Country to Africa's Migration Passage to Europe |publisher=Migrationinformation.org |access-date=1 August 2011 |date=October 2005 |archive-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210100911/http://migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=339 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other large communities can be found in Italy, Canada, the United States, and Israel, where [[Moroccan Jews]] are thought to constitute the second biggest Jewish ethnic subgroup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2016/2.ShnatonPopulation/st02_08x.pdf|title=Table 2.8 – Jews, by country of origin and age|date=2015|publisher=[[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]]|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-date=13 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013064516/https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2016/2.ShnatonPopulation/st02_08x.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Morocco}}
The religious affiliation in the country was estimated by the [[Pew Forum]] in 2010 as 99% [[Muslim]], with all remaining groups accounting for less than 1% of the population.<ref name=pewrel>{{cite web|title=Religious Composition by Country|url=http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/globalReligion-tables.pdf|work=Global Religious Landscape|publisher=Pew Forum|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309232331/http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/globalReligion-tables.pdf|archive-date=9 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Of those affiliated with Islam, virtually all are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]], with [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]] accounting for less than 0.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/#people-and-society |title=Morocco |work=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=18 September 2022 |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202191738/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/#people-and-society |url-status=live }}</ref> However, nearly 15% of Moroccans nonetheless describe themselves as non religious according to an 2018 survey conducted by the research network Arab Barometer; the same survey saw nearly 100 percent of respondents identify as Muslims.<ref name=poll>{{cite web|title=Survey Shows Faith in Decline in Morocco, in the Arab World|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/06/276676/survey-islam-decline-morocco-arab-world/|work=Arab Barometer|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=25 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825020928/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/06/276676/survey-islam-decline-morocco-arab-world/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another 2021 Arab Barometer survey found that 67.8% of Moroccans identified as religious, 29.1% as somewhat religious, and 3.1% as non religious.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Data Analysis Tool – Arab Barometer |url=https://www.arabbarometer.org/survey-data/data-analysis-tool/ |access-date=11 November 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821161350/https://www.arabbarometer.org/survey-data/data-analysis-tool/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2015 [[Gallup International Association|Gallup International]] poll reported that 93% of Moroccans considered themselves to be religious.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2015 |title=Losing Our Religion? Two Thirds of People Still Claim to Be Religious |url=https://www.gallup-international.bg/en/33531/losing-our-religion-two-thirds-of-people-still-claim-to-be-religious/ |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=Gallup International |language=en-US |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411115246/https://www.gallup-international.bg/en/33531/losing-our-religion-two-thirds-of-people-still-claim-to-be-religious/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Inside of a mosque in Fes (5364764412).jpg|thumb|The interior of a mosque in [[Fes]]]]
Prior to independence, Morocco was home to more than 500,000 Christians (mostly of Spanish and French ancestry). Many Christian settlers left to Spain or France after the independence in 1956.<ref>{{cite book|title=Area Handbook for Morocc|first=Richard |last=F. Nyrop|year= 1972| isbn= 9780810884939| page =97|publisher=University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign}}</ref> The predominantly [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Protestant]] foreign-resident [[Christianity|Christian]] community consists of approximately 40,000 practising members. Most foreign resident [[Christians]] reside in the [[Casablanca]], [[Tangier]], and [[Rabat]] urban areas. Various local Christian leaders estimate that between 2005 and 2010 there are 5,000 citizen converted Christians (mostly ethnically Berber) who regularly attend "house" churches and live predominantly in the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/4f4361e72.html|title=Refworld – Morocco: General situation of Muslims who converted to Christianity, and specifically those who converted to Catholicism; their treatment by Islamists and the authorities, including state protection (2008–2011)|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|work=Refworld|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301151201/https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f4361e72.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some local Christian leaders estimate that there may be as many as 8,000 [[Christianity in Morocco|Christian citizens]] throughout the country, but many reportedly do not meet regularly due to fear of government surveillance and social persecution.<ref name=irfr2011/> The number of the Moroccans who [[converted to Christianity]] (most of them secret worshippers) are estimated between 8,000 and 50,000.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2013/may/christian-converts-in-morocco-fear-fatwa-calling-for-their.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609104426/http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/05/christian-converts-in-morocco-fear-fatwa-execution.html |archive-date=9 June 2013 |title=Christian Converts in Morocco Fear Fatwa Calling for Their Execution |newspaper=Christianity Today |agency=Morning Star News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.vice.com/article/house-churches-and-silent-masses-the-converted-christians-of-morocco-are-praying-in-secret|title='House-Churches' and Silent Masses —The Converted Christians of Morocco Are Praying in Secret – VICE News|date=23 March 2015|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707180007/https://news.vice.com/article/house-churches-and-silent-masses-the-converted-christians-of-morocco-are-praying-in-secret|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-religion/christians-want-marriages-recognized-in-morocco-idUSKCN1J4231|title=Christians want marriages recognized in Morocco|date=8 June 2018|publisher=reuters|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804081352/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-morocco-religion/christians-want-marriages-recognized-in-morocco-idUSKCN1J4231|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/world/africa/pope-francis-morocco-christians.html|title=Pope Francis' Visit to Morocco Raises Hopes for Its Christians|date=29 March 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001050723/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/world/africa/pope-francis-morocco-christians.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Al-Maghred, the Barbary Lion: A Look at Islam| first=Nat |last= Carnes|year= 2012| isbn= 9781475903423| page =253|publisher=University of Cambridge Press|quote=. In all an estimated 40,000 Moroccans have converted to Christianity}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/03/22/morocco-s-hidden-christians-to-push-for-religious-freedom/|title=Morocco's 'hidden' Christians to push for religious freedom|date=30 January 2017|publisher=AfricanNews|quote=There are no official statistics, but leaders say there are about 50,000 Moroccan Christians, most of them from the Protestant Evangelical tradition.|access-date=27 October 2022|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716042225/https://www.africanews.com/2019/03/22/morocco-s-hidden-christians-to-push-for-religious-freedom/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The most recent estimates put the size of the historic Casablanca Jewish community at about 2,500,<ref>Sergio DellaPergola, [http://www.bjpa.org/Publications/downloadPublication.cfm?PublicationID=16432 World Jewish population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203032451/http://www.bjpa.org/Publications/downloadPublication.cfm?PublicationID=16432 |date=3 December 2013 }}, 2012, p. 62.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Jews of Morocco |url=https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/morocco |publisher=The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810080356/https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/morocco |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Rabat and Marrakesh Jewish communities at about 100 members each. The remainder of the Jewish population is dispersed throughout the country. This population is mostly elderly, with a decreasing number of young people.<ref name=irfr2011>{{cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2011 – Morocco|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm|publisher=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325215847/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Baháʼí Faith]] community, located in urban areas, numbers 350 to 400 persons.<ref name=irfr2011/>

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of Morocco}}
[[File:Morocco - Linguistic map.png|upright=1.4|thumb|Linguistic map of Morocco]]
Morocco's official languages are [[Arabic]] and [[Berber language|Berber]].<ref name="Const1" /><ref name="cons eff">{{cite web|last=Government of Morocco|title=BO_5964-Bis_Ar.pdf|url=http://www.sgg.gov.ma/BO/bulletin/AR/2011/BO_5964-Bis_Ar.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316221623/http://www.sgg.gov.ma/BO/bulletin/AR/2011/BO_5964-Bis_Ar.pdf|archive-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> The country's distinctive group of Moroccan Arabic dialects is referred to as [[Darija]]. Approximately 89.8% of the whole population can communicate to some degree in [[Moroccan Arabic]].<ref name="Haut Commisariat au Plan"/> The Berber language is spoken in three dialects ([[Riff language|Tarifit]], [[Shilha language|Tashelhit]] and [[central Morocco Tamazight|Central Atlas Tamazight]]).<ref name="webcitation">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080706222733/http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761552010/Berber.html Berber]" [[Microsoft Encarta]] Online Encyclopedia 2006. 1 November 2009.</ref> In 2008, Frédéric Deroche estimated that there were 12&nbsp;million Berber speakers, making up about 40% of the population.<ref name="Les peuples autochtones">{{cite book|author= Deroche, Frédéric|title=Les peuples autochtones et leur relation originale à la terre: un questionnement pour l'ordre mondial|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-j--CwFAVwC|year=2008|publisher=L'Harmattan|isbn=978-2-296-05585-8|page=14}}</ref> The 2004 population census reported that 28.1% of the population spoke Berber.<ref name="Haut Commisariat au Plan">[http://www.hcp.ma/ Site institutionnel du Haut-Commissariat au Plan du Royaume du Maroc] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929061323/http://www.hcp.ma/ |date=29 September 2011 }}. Hcp.ma. Retrieved 23 July 2011.</ref>

[[French language|French]] is widely used in governmental institutions, media, mid-size and large companies, international commerce with French-speaking countries, and often in international diplomacy. French is taught as an obligatory language in all schools. In 2010, there were 10,366,000 French-speakers in Morocco, or about 32% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Le dénombrement des francophones|url=http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/1e.pdf|publisher=Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|access-date=9 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012052949/http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/1e.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2013}}</ref><ref name=FR/>

According to the 2004 census, 2.19&nbsp;million Moroccans spoke a foreign language other than French.<ref name="Haut Commisariat au Plan"/> [[English language|English]], while far behind French in terms of number of speakers, is the first foreign language of choice, since French is obligatory, among educated youth and professionals.

According to ''[[Ethnologue]]'', as of 2016, there are 1,536,590 individuals (or approximately 4.5% of the population) in Morocco who speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Spanish|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/spa|publisher=Ethnologue|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=23 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123235008/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/spa|url-status=live}}</ref> Spanish is mostly spoken in northern Morocco and the former [[Spanish Sahara]] because Spain had previously occupied those areas.<ref>Leyre Gil Perdomingo and Jaime Otero Roth (2008) [http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/dc29ac804f0199d3a40ee43170baead1/ARI116-2008_Gil_Otero_lengua_espanola_Sahara_Occidental.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=dc29ac804f0199d3a40ee43170baead1 "Enseñanza y uso de la lengua española en el Sáhara Occidental"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924090300/http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/dc29ac804f0199d3a40ee43170baead1/ARI116-2008_Gil_Otero_lengua_espanola_Sahara_Occidental.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=dc29ac804f0199d3a40ee43170baead1 |date=24 September 2015 }}, in ''Analysis of the Real Instituto Elcano'' nº 116</ref> Meanwhile, a 2018 study by the [[Instituto Cervantes]] found 1.7 million Moroccans who were at least proficient in Spanish, placing Morocco as the country with the most Spanish speakers outside the Hispanophone world (unless the United States is also excluded from Spanish-speaking countries).<ref>Saga, Ahlam Ben. [https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/11/259062/instituto-cervantes-1-7-million-moroccan-spanish Instituto Cervantes: 1.7 Million Moroccans Speak Spanish] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415113901/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/11/259062/instituto-cervantes-1-7-million-moroccan-spanish/ |date=15 April 2021 }}, ''[[Morocco World News]]'', 29 Nov 2018. Retrieved 11 Apr 2022.</ref> A significant portion of northern Morocco receives Spanish media, television signal and radio airwaves, which reportedly facilitate competence in the language in the region.<ref name=Rouchdy71>{{cite book|author=Rouchdy, Aleya |title=Language Contact and Language Conflict in Arabic: Variations on a Sociolinguistic Theme|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WWZvxjoU948C&pg=PA71|year=2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7007-1379-0|page=71}}</ref>

After Morocco declared independence in 1956, French and Arabic became the main languages of administration and education, causing the role of Spanish to decline.<ref name=Rouchdy71/>

===Education===
{{main|Education in Morocco}}
[[File:Al Akhawayn Campus.jpg|thumb|[[Al Akhawayn University]] in [[Ifrane]]]]
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school. The estimated [[literacy]] rate for the country in 2012 was 72%.<ref>[http://www.lavieeco.com/news/actualites/baisse-du-taux-d-analphabetisme-au-maroc-a-28--26483.html Baisse du taux d'analphabétisme au Maroc à 28%] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801015845/http://www.lavieeco.com/news/actualites/baisse-du-taux-d-analphabetisme-au-maroc-a-28--26483.html |date=1 August 2014}}. Lavieeco.com (6 September 2013). Retrieved 17 April 2015.</ref> In September 2006, UNESCO awarded Morocco amongst other countries such as [[Cuba]], [[Pakistan]], [[India]] and [[Turkey]] the "UNESCO 2006 Literacy Prize".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D33384%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html |title=2006 UNESCO Literacy Prize winners announced |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=27 September 2006 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212221259/http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D33384%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Morocco has more than [[List of universities in Morocco|four dozen universities]], institutes of higher learning, and polytechnics dispersed at urban centres throughout the country. Its leading institutions include [[Mohammed V University]] in Rabat, the country's largest university, with branches in Casablanca and Fès; the Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, which conducts leading social science research in addition to its agricultural specialties; and [[Al-Akhawayn University]] in Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccisabroad.org/program.php?link=morocco_ifrane_summer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226185538/http://ccisabroad.org/program.php?link=morocco_ifrane_summer |archive-date=26 February 2009 |title=CCIS Ifrane Morocco Summer Study Abroad Program |publisher=Ccisabroad.org |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=2 June 2010}}</ref> inaugurated in 1995 with contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United States.

[[File:UIS Literacy Rate Morocco population +15 1980 to 2015.png|thumb|UIS Literacy Rate Morocco population above 15 years of age 1980–2015]]

The [[University of Al-Karaouine|al-Qarawiyin University]], founded by [[Fatima al-Fihri]] in the city of Fez in 859 as a [[madrasa]],<ref>[[Josef W. Meri|Meri, Josef W.]] (ed.): ''[[Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia]]'', Vol. 1, A–K, Routledge, 2006, {{ISBN|978-0-415-96691-7}}, p.&nbsp;257 (entry "Fez")</ref> is considered by some sources, including [[UNESCO]], to be the "oldest university of the world".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Qarawiyin|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/485494/Qarawiyin|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=8 December 2011|archive-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129044103/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/485494/Qarawiyin|url-status=live}}</ref> Morocco has also some of prestigious postgraduate schools, including: [[Mohammed VI Polytechnic University]], l'{{ill|Institut national des postes et télécommunications|fr||ar|المعهد الوطني للبريد والمواصلات}}, [[École nationale supérieure d'électricité et de mécanique de Nancy|École Nationale Supérieure d'Électricité et de Mecanique]] (ENSEM), [[École Mohammadia d'ingénieurs|EMI]], [[ISCAE]], [[National Instistute of Statistics and Applied Economics|INSEA]], [[National School of Mineral Industry]], [[École Hassania des Travaux Publics]], Les Écoles nationales de commerce et de gestion, École supérieure de technologie de Casablanca.<ref>''The Guinness Book Of Records'', 1998, p. 242, {{ISBN|0-553-57895-2}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-23 |title=Classement meilleurs école d'études supérieures au Maroc |url=http://etudes-superieures.ma/meilleur-etablissement-superieur-au-maroc/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Etudes superieures au Maroc |language=en-US |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117154441/http://etudes-superieures.ma/meilleur-etablissement-superieur-au-maroc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{main|Health in Morocco}}
[[File:University Hospital Center in Tangier (general view).jpg|thumb|294x294px|The [[Mohammed VI University Hospital Centre]] in [[Tangier]]]]
Many efforts are made by countries around the world to address health issues and eradicate disease, Morocco included. Child health, maternal health, and diseases are all components of health and well-being. Morocco is a developing country that has made many strides to improve these categories. However, Morocco still has many health issues to improve on. According to research published, in 2005 only 16% of citizens in Morocco had health insurance or coverage.<ref name="Ruger_2007">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ruger JP, Kress D | title = Health financing and insurance reform in Morocco | journal = Health Affairs | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = 1009–16 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17630444 | pmc = 2898512 | doi = 10.1377/hlthaff.26.4.1009}}</ref> In data from the World Bank, Morocco experiences high infant mortality rates at 20 deaths per 1,000 births (2017)<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?locations=MA|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births)|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217111004/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?locations=MA|url-status=live}}</ref> and high maternal mortality rates at 121 deaths per 100,000 births (2015).<ref name=":6m">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT?locations=MA|title=Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births)|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217112527/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT?locations=MA|url-status=live}}</ref>

The government of Morocco sets up surveillance systems within the already existing healthcare system to monitor and collect data. Mass education in hygiene is implemented in primary education schools which are free for residents of Morocco. In 2005, The government of Morocco approved two reforms to expand health insurance coverage.<ref name="Ruger_2007" /> The first reform was a mandatory health insurance plan for public and private sector employees to expand coverage from 16 percent of the population to 30 percent. The second reform created a fund to cover services for the poor. Both reforms improved access to high-quality care. Infant mortality has improved significantly since 1960 when there were 144 deaths per 1,000 live births, in 2000, 42 per 1,000 live births, and now it is 20 per 1,000 live births.<ref name=":5" /> The country's under-five mortality rate dropped by 60% between 1990 and 2011.

According to data from the World Bank,<ref name=":5" /> the present mortality rate is still very high, over seven times higher than in neighbouring country Spain. In 2014, Morocco adopted a national plan to increase progress on maternal and child health.<ref name=":7">{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/features/2014/morocco-maternal-health/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302060442/http://www.who.int/features/2014/morocco-maternal-health/en/|archive-date=2 March 2014|title=WHO {{!}} Morocco takes a stride forward for mothers and children|website=WHO|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> The Moroccan Plan was started by the Moroccan Minister of Health, El Houssaine Louardi, and Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, on 13 November 2013 in Rabat.<ref name=":7" /> Morocco has made significant progress in reducing deaths among both children and mothers. Based on World Bank data, the nation's maternal mortality ratio fell by 67% between 1990 and 2010.<ref name=":6m" /> In 2014, spending on healthcare accounted for 5.9% of the country's GDP.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=MA|title=Current health expenditure (% of GDP) {{!}} Data|website=data.worldbank.org|language=en-us|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=1 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201044658/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=MA|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2014, spending on healthcare as part of the GDP has decreased. However, health expenditure per capita (PPP) has steadily increased since 2000. In 2015, the Moroccan health expenditure was $435.29 per capita.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.PP.CD?locations=MA|title=Current health expenditure per capita, PPP (current international $) {{!}} Data|website=data.worldbank.org|language=en-us|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612115113/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.PP.CD?locations=MA|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 2016 the life expectancy at birth was 74.3, or 73.3 for men and 75.4 for women, and there were 6.3 physicians and 8.9 nurses and midwives per 10,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emro.who.int/entity/statistics/statistics.html|title=World Health Organization|access-date=29 September 2018|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205075620/http://www.emro.who.int/entity/statistics/statistics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Morocco ranked 16th out of 29 countries on the Global Youth Wellbeing Index.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.youthindex.org/country/morocco|title=Morocco {{!}} The Global Youth Wellbeing Index|website=www.youthindex.org|language=en|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905052329/http://www.youthindex.org/country/morocco|url-status=live}}</ref> Moroccan youths experience a lower self-harm rate than the global index by an average of 4 encounters per year.<ref name=":3" />

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Morocco}}
[[File:Moroccan frills.jpg|thumb|A living room with a traditional Moroccan interior.]]
Morocco is a country with a rich [[culture]] and [[civilization|civilisation]]. Through [[History of Morocco|Moroccan history]], it has hosted many people. All of whom have affected the social structure of Morocco.

Since independence, a veritable blossoming has taken place in painting and sculpture, popular music, amateur theatre, and filmmaking.<ref>e.g. Khalid Amine and Marvin Carlson, ''The Theatres of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: Performance Traditions of the Maghreb'' (Dordrecht NL: Springer, 2011), 124–28. {{ISBN|0230358519}}</ref> The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works. Art and music festivals take place throughout the country during the summer months, among them the [[World Sacred Music Festival|World Sacred Music Festival at Fès]].

Each region possesses its own specificities, thus contributing to the national culture and to the legacy of civilisation. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diverse legacy and the preservation of its cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Letter of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco |url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcomx99.htm |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=whc.unesco.org |archive-date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617131233/https://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcomx99.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Culturally speaking, Morocco has always been successful in combining its Arabic, Berber and Jewish cultural heritage with external influences such as the French and the Spanish and, during the last decades, the Anglo-American lifestyles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2005/12/2008410151243996817.html|title=Morocco town's Hollywood connection|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093251/http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2005/12/2008410151243996817.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2015/01/return-morocco-2015120124346751467.html|title=Return to Morocco|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924061207/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2015/01/return-morocco-2015120124346751467.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/boujloud-morocco-unique-halloween-20141013161059822274.html|title=Boujloud: Morocco's unique Halloween|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028092923/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/boujloud-morocco-unique-halloween-20141013161059822274.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Architecture===
{{main|Moroccan architecture}}
{{excerpt|Moroccan architecture|file=1}}

===Literature===
{{main|Moroccan literature}}
[[File:ChraibiDriss.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Driss Chraïbi]]]]
[[Moroccan literature]] is written mostly in Arabic, Berber, Hebrew, and French. Particularly under the Almoravid and Almohad empires, Moroccan literature was closely related to the [[literature of al-Andalus]], and shared important poetic and literary forms such as ''[[zajal]]'', the ''[[muwashshah]]'', and the ''[[maqama]]''. Islamic literature, such as [[Tafsir|Quranic exegeses]] and other religious works such as [[Qadi Ayyad]]'s [[Al-Shifa bi Ta'rif Huquq al-Mustafa|''Al-Shifa'']] were influential. The [[University of al-Qarawiyyin]] in Fes was an important literary centre attracting scholars from abroad, including [[Maimonides]], [[Ibn al-Khatib]], and [[Ibn Khaldun]].

Under the [[Almohad]] dynasty Morocco experienced a period of prosperity and brilliance of learning. The Almohad built the [[Kutubiyya Mosque]] in Marrakesh, which accommodated no fewer than 25,000 people, but was also famed for its books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops, which gave it its name; the first book bazaar in history. The Almohad Caliph [[Yusuf I, Almohad Caliph|Abu Yakub]] had a great love for collecting books. He founded a great library, which was eventually carried to the [[Casbah]] and turned into a [[public library]].

Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. Two main factors gave Morocco a pulse toward witnessing the birth of a modern literature. Morocco, as a [[French Morocco|French]] and [[Spanish Morocco|Spanish protectorate]] left Moroccan intellectuals the opportunity to exchange and to produce literary works freely enjoying the contact of other [[Arabic literature]] and Europe. Three generations of writers especially shaped 20th century Moroccan literature.<ref>Mohammed Benjelloun Touimi, Abdelkbir Khatibi and Mohamed Kably, ''Ecrivains marocains, du protectorat à 1965'', 1974  éditions Sindbad, Paris and Hassan El Ouazzani, ''La littérature marocaine contemporaine de 1929 à 1999'' (2002, ed. Union des écrivains du Maroc and Dar Attaqafa)</ref> The first was the generation that lived and wrote during the [[French protectorate of Morocco|Protectorate]] (1912–56), its most important representative being [[Mohammed Ben Brahim]] (1897–1955).

The second generation was the one that played an important role in the transition to independence with writers like [[Abdelkrim Ghallab]] (1919–2006), [[Allal al-Fassi]] (1910–1974) and [[Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi]] (1900–1963). The third generation is that of writers of the sixties. Moroccan literature then flourished with writers such as [[Mohamed Choukri]], [[Driss Chraïbi]], [[Mohamed Zafzaf]] and [[Driss El Khouri]]. Those writers were an important influence to the many Moroccan novelists, poets and playwrights that were still to come.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers as [[Paul Bowles]], [[Tennessee Williams]] and [[William S. Burroughs]]. Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such as [[Mohamed Zafzaf]] and [[Mohamed Choukri]], who wrote in Arabic, and [[Driss Chraïbi]] and [[Tahar Ben Jelloun]] who wrote in French. Other important Moroccan authors include: [[Abdellatif Laabi]], [[Abdelkrim Ghallab]], [[Fouad Laroui]], [[Mohammed Berrada]] and [[Leila Abouzeid]]. Orature (oral literature) is an integral part of Moroccan culture, be it in Moroccan Arabic or Berber.

===Music===
{{main|Music of Morocco}}
Moroccan music is of Arabic, Berber and sub-Saharan origins. Rock-influenced [[chaabi (Morocco)|chaabi]] bands are widespread, as is [[trance music]] with historical origins in [[Islamic music]].

Morocco is home to [[Andalusian classical music]] that is found throughout Northwest Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in [[Córdoba, Spain|Cordoba]], and the Persian-born musician [[Ziryab]] is usually credited with its invention. A genre known as Contemporary Andalusian Music and art is the brainchild of [[Morisco]] visual artist/composer/[[oud]]ist [[Al-Andalus Ensemble|Tarik Banzi]], founder of the [http://www.Andalus.com/ Al-Andalus Ensemble]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.

[[File:Musicians Jilala music in Morocco, 1900.png|thumb|A group of [[Jilala]] musicians in 1900]]
''[[Aita]]'' is a [[Bedouin]] musical style sung in the countryside.

[[Chaabi]] ("popular") is a music consisting of numerous varieties which are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.

Popular Western forms of music are becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such as [[Fusion (music)|fusion]], rock, [[Country music|country]], [[Metal (music)|metal]] and, in particular, [[Hip hop music|hip hop]].

Morocco participated in the [[1980 Eurovision Song Contest]], where it finished in the penultimate position.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Morocco|Cinema of Morocco}}
Cinema in Morocco has a long history, stretching back over a century to the filming of ''Le chevrier Marocain'' ("The Moroccan Goatherd") by [[Louis Lumière]] in 1897. Between that time and 1944, many foreign movies were shot in the country, especially in the [[Ouarzazate]] area. In 1944, the {{ill|Moroccan Cinematographic Centre|fr|Centre cinématographique marocain}} (CCM), the nation's film [[regulatory agency]], was established. Studios were also opened in [[Rabat]].

In 1952, [[Orson Welles]]' [[Othello (1952 film)|''Othello'']] won the {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}} at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] under the Moroccan flag. However, the Festival's musicians did not play the [[Hymne Chérifien|Moroccan national anthem]], as no one in attendance knew what it was.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wellesnet.com/filming_othello.htm|title=Wellesnet: Filming Othello|website=www.wellesnet.com|access-date=21 July 2014|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817155640/http://www.wellesnet.com/filming_othello.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Six years later, Mohammed Ousfour would create the first Moroccan movie, ''Le fils maudit'' ("The Damned Son").

In 1968, the first Mediterranean Film Festival was held in [[Tangier]]. In its current incarnation, the event is held in [[Tetouan]]. This was followed in 1982 with the first national festival of cinema, which was held in Rabat. In 2001, the first [[International Film Festival of Marrakech]] (FIFM) was also held in [[Marrakech]].

===Cuisine===
{{main|Moroccan cuisine}}
[[File:Couscous of Fes.JPG|thumb|Moroccan [[Couscous]].]]
Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. This is a result of the centuries-long interaction of Morocco with the outside world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fescooking.com/come-cook-with-us/the-art-of-moroccan-cuisine|title=The Art of Moroccan Cuisine|date=10 October 2007|access-date=18 July 2014|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105070323/http://fescooking.com/come-cook-with-us/the-art-of-moroccan-cuisine|url-status=live}}</ref> The cuisine of Morocco is mainly a fusion of Moorish, European and Mediterranean cuisines.

Spices are used extensively in Moroccan cuisine. While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many ingredients such as [[saffron]] from [[Tétouan|Tiliouine]], [[Mentha|mint]] and [[olive]]s from [[Meknes]], and oranges and lemons from Fez, are home-grown. Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Morocco. The most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco is beef; [[Sheep|lamb]] is preferred but is relatively expensive. The main Moroccan dish most people are familiar with is [[couscous]],<ref>[http://maroccankitchenrecipes.blogspot.com/2014/05/moroccan-couscous.html "Moroccan Couscous Recipe"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531091005/http://maroccankitchenrecipes.blogspot.com/2014/05/moroccan-couscous.html |date=31 May 2014 }}. [http://maroccankitchenrecipes.blogspot.com/ Maroccan Kitchen Recipes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531104957/http://maroccankitchenrecipes.blogspot.com/ |date=31 May 2014 }} (Website). Retrieved 1 April 2014.</ref> the old national delicacy.

Beef is the most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco, usually eaten in a ''Tagine'' with vegetables or legumes. Chicken is also very commonly used in Tagines, knowing that one of the most famous tagine is the Tagine of Chicken, potatoes and olives. [[domestic sheep|Lamb]] is also consumed, but as Northwest African sheep breeds store most of their fat in their tails, Moroccan lamb does not have the pungent flavour that Western [[lamb and mutton]] have. Poultry is also very common, and the use of seafood is increasing in Moroccan food. In addition, there are dried salted meats and salted preserved meats such as kliia/khlia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/glossary/g/khlea_khlii.htm|title=klii|author=Benlafquih, Christine|publisher=About.com|access-date=20 July 2014|archive-date=11 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711003053/http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/glossary/g/khlea_khlii.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and "g'did" which are used to flavor tagines or used in "el ghraif" a folded savory Moroccan pancake.

Among the most famous Moroccan dishes are [[Couscous]], [[Pastilla]] (also spelled Bsteeya or Bestilla), [[Tajine]], [[Tangia|Tanjia]] and [[Harira]]. Although the latter is a [[soup]], it is considered a dish in itself and is served as such or with [[date (fruit)|dates]] especially during the month of [[Ramadan]]. Pork consumption is forbidden in accordance with [[Sharia]], religious laws of Islam.

A big part of the daily meal is bread. Bread in Morocco is principally from durum wheat semolina known as [[Khubz|khobz]]. Bakeries are very common throughout Morocco and fresh bread is a staple in every city, town and village. The most common is whole grain coarse ground or white flour bread. There are also a number of flat breads and pulled unleavened pan-fried breads.

The most popular drink is "atai", [[green tea]] with mint leaves and other ingredients. Tea occupies a very important place in the culture of Morocco and is considered an art form. It is served not only at mealtimes but all through the day, and it is especially a drink of hospitality, commonly served whenever there are guests. It is served to guests, and it is impolite to refuse it.

===Sport===
{{main|Sport in Morocco}}
[[File:Morocco vs Algeria, June 04 2011-10.jpg|thumb|Moroccan football fans]]
Football is the country's most popular sport, popular among the urban youth in particular. In 1986, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to qualify for the second round of the [[FIFA World Cup]]. Morocco hosted the [[Africa Cup of Nations]] in [[1988 African Cup of Nations|1988]] and will host it again in [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations|2025]] after original host Guinea was stripped from hosting rights due to inadequacy of hosting preparations. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/872480/morocco-to-stage-the-2015-african-nations-cup?cc=5901 |title=Morocco to stage the 2015 African Nations Cup – ESPN Soccernet |publisher=ESPN FC |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |archive-date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429011957/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/872480/morocco-to-stage-the-2015-african-nations-cup?cc=5901 }}</ref> but refused to host the tournament on the scheduled dates because of fears over the [[Ebola outbreak]] on the continent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30004279|title=Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco will not host finals over Ebola fears|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=11 November 2014|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108050911/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30004279|url-status=live}}</ref> Morocco made six attempts to host the FIFA World Cup but lost five times to the United States, France, Germany, South Africa and a Canada–Mexico–United States joint bid, however Morocco will co-host it in [[2030 FIFA World Cup|2030]] along with [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] having finally won the bid in their sixth attempt. In [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022]], Morocco became the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals and finished 4th in the tournament.

At the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympic Games]], two Moroccans won gold medals in track and field. [[Nawal El Moutawakel]] won in the [[400 metres hurdles]]; she was the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal. [[Saïd Aouita]] won the [[5000 metres]] at the same games. [[Hicham El Guerrouj]] won gold medals for Morocco at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] in the [[1500 metres]] and 5000 metres and holds several [[List of world records in athletics|world record]]s in the [[mile run]].

[[Spectator sports]] in Morocco traditionally centred on the art of [[horsemanship]] until European sports—[[association football|football]], [[polo]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], and [[tennis]]—were introduced at the end of the 19th century. [[Tennis]] and [[golf]] have become popular.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/06/356114/morocco-emerges-as-top-class-golf-destination|title=Morocco Emerges As 'Top-Class' Golf Destination|last=Hamaan|first=Jasper|newspaper=Moroccan World News|date=June 24, 2023|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2024/05/362609/moroccan-tennis-teams-triumph-at-african-championships-despite-talent-oversight|title=Moroccan Tennis Teams Triumph at African Championships, Despite Talent Oversight|last=El Kanouni|first=Zakaria|newspaper=Moroccan World News|date=May 12, 2024|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref> Several Moroccan professional players have competed in international competition, and the country fielded its first [[Davis Cup]] team in 1999.
Morocco was one of the continent's pioneers in basketball as it established one of Africa's first competitive leagues.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Nxumalo |title=Basketball's next frontier is Africa |url=https://www.newframe.com/basketballs-next-frontier-is-africa/ |access-date=11 January 2021 |work=New Frame |date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116062357/https://www.newframe.com/basketballs-next-frontier-is-africa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Rugby football|Rugby]] came to Morocco in the early 20th century, mainly by the French who occupied the country.<ref name=Completerugby>Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|1-86200-013-1}}) p71</ref> As a result, [[Rugby union in Morocco|Moroccan rugby]] was tied to the fortunes of France, during the first and second [[World War]], with many Moroccan players going away to fight.<ref name=Completerugby/> Like many other Maghreb nations, Moroccan rugby tended to look to Europe for inspiration, rather than to the rest of Africa.

[[Kickboxing]] is also popular in Morocco.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://research.vu.nl/en/publications/kickboksen-een-marokkaanse-route-naar-succes|title=Kickboksen, een Marokkaanse route naar succes?|author=F.H.M. van Gemert|journal=Tijdschrift voor Veiligheid|date=October 1, 2019|volume=18 |issue=3–4 |doi=10.5553/TvV/187279482019018304004|hdl=1871.1/879c2ee1-a047-4286-94bb-fbb3e2ed01bf |hdl-access=free}}</ref> The Moroccan-Dutch [[Badr Hari]], heavyweight kickboxer and martial artist, is a former K-1 heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 and 2009 finalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2011/09/28/badr-hari-to-retire-from-kickboxing-k-1-world-gp-possibly-in-je|title=Badr Hari to Retire From Kickboxing|last=Herbertson|first=Daniel|publisher=Vox Media, LLC|date=September 28, 2011|website=MMAFighting.com|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Morocco|Africa}}
* [[Index of Morocco-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Morocco]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Free-content attribution
| title = UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030
| author = UNESCO
| publisher = UNESCO Publishing
| page numbers = 431–467
| source =
| documentURL = http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf
| license statement URL =
| license = CC BY-SA IGO 3.0
}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* Pennell, C. R. ''Morocco Since 1830: A History'', New York University Press, 2000. {{ISBN|9780814766774}}
* Pennell, C. R. ''Morocco: From Empire to Independence'', Oneworld Publications, 2013. {{ISBN|9781780744551}} ([https://books.google.com/books?id=TYXrAQAAQBAJ preview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405093231/https://books.google.com/books?id=TYXrAQAAQBAJ |date=5 April 2023 }})
* Stenner, David. ''Globalizing Morocco: Transnational Activism and the Postcolonial State'' (Stanford UP, 2019). [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=54410 online review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522153512/https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=54410 |date=22 May 2020 }}
* Terrasse, Henri. ''History of Morocco'', Éd. Atlantides, 1952.

; In French
* [[Bernard Lugan]], ''Histoire du Maroc'', Éd. Perrin, 2000. {{ISBN|2-262-01644-5}}
* Michel Abitbol, ''Histoire du Maroc'', Éd. Perrin, 2009. {{ISBN|9782262023881}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Morocco|voy=Morocco}}
* [http://www.maroc.ma/en Official website of the government of Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919194826/http://www.maroc.ma/en |date=19 September 2018 }}
* [http://www.sgg.gov.ma/ Official bulletins of the government of Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620134424/http://www.sgg.gov.ma/ |date=20 June 2012 }}
* [http://www.parlement.ma/ Parliament of Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210094530/http://www.parlement.ma/ |date=10 February 2016 }}
* [https://www.visitmorocco.com/en Official website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132639/https://www.visitmorocco.com/en |date=19 September 2018 }}
* [http://www.lavieeco.com/documents_officiels/Recensement%20population.pdf Census results of 1994 and 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724191316/http://www.lavieeco.com/documents_officiels/Recensement%20population.pdf |date=24 July 2012 }}
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202191738/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/morocco/ |date=2 December 2022 }}. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* {{GovPubs|Morocco}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Africa/Morocco}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14121438 Morocco profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720230225/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14121438 |date=20 July 2018 }} from the [[BBC News]]
* {{Wikiatlas|Morocco}}
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MA Key Development Forecasts for Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208082711/http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MA |date=8 February 2013 }} from [[International Futures]]
* [http://www.enpi-info.eu/countrymed.php?country=6 EU Neighbourhood Info Centre: Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911231847/http://www.enpi-info.eu/countrymed.php?country=6 |date=11 September 2015 }}
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/MAR/Year/2012/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Morocco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215859/http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/MAR/Year/2012/Summary |date=12 May 2014 }}

{{Morocco topics}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{Countries and territories of Africa}}
{{Countries and territories of North Africa}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}}
{{Countries and territories of the Middle East}}
{{Arab League}}
{{Organisation of Islamic Cooperation |state=collapsed}}
{{Community of Sahel–Saharan States}}
{{La Francophonie |collapsed}}
{{Monarchies}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{coord|32|-6|scale:5000000_type:country_region:MA|display=title}}

[[Category:Morocco| ]]
[[Category:Countries in Africa]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in Morocco]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Arabic is an official language]]
[[Category:Maghrebi countries]]
[[Category:Member states of the African Union]]
[[Category:Member states of the Arab League]]
[[Category:Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie]]
[[Category:Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]
[[Category:Member states of the Union for the Mediterranean]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:North African countries]]
[[Category:Saharan countries]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1956]]