Morocco

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Kingdom of Morocco المملكة المغربية  (Arabic) al-Mamlakat al-Maġribiyah ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ  (Berber) Tagldit N Lmaġrib Flag Coat of arms Motto:  الله، الوطن، الملك  (Arabic) Allāh, al-Waṭan, al-Malik ⴰⴽⵓⵛ, ⴰⵎⵓⵔ, ⴰⴳⵍⵍⵉⴷ  (Tamazight) Akuc, Amur, Agllid "God, Homeland, King" Anthem:  النشيد الوطني المغربي  (Arabic) Cherifian Anthem Sorry, your browser either has JavaScript disabled or does not have any supported player. You can download the clip or download a player to play the clip in your browser. Dark red: Internationally recognized territory of Morocco. Lighter striped red: Western Sahara, a non-decolonized territory claimed by Morocco as its Southern Provinces. Capital Rabat 34°02′N 6°51′W / 34.033°N 6.850°W / 34.033; -6.850 Largest city Casablanca Official languages Arabic Berber Native languages Arabic dialects Berber dialects Ethnic groups (2012) 99% Arab-Berber 1% others Demonym Moroccan Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy  -  King Mohammed VI  -  Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane Legislature Parliament  -  Upper house House of Councillors  -  Lower house House of Representatives Independence  -  from France March 2, 1956   -  from Spain April 7, 1956  Area  -  Total 446,550 km2 or 710,850 km2   (58th or 40th) 172,487 sq mi   -  Water (%) 0.056 (250 km2) Population  -  2013 estimate 32,878,400 (38th)  -  Density 73.1/km2 (122nd) 189.3/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2013 estimate  -  Total $181.9 billion (56th)  -  Per capita $5,537 (114th) GDP (nominal) 2013 estimate  -  Total $107.1 billion (59th)  -  Per capita $3,260 (117th) Gini (2007) 40.9 medium HDI (2013)  0.591 medium · 130th Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD) Time zone WET (UTC+0)  -  Summer (DST) WEST (UTC+1) Drives on the right Calling code +212 ISO 3166 code MA Internet TLD .ma, المغرب. a. ^ French is also used in official government documents and by the business community, although it has no official status. b. ^ 13.5% fluent, 19.5% partially fluent. c. ^ See Languages of Morocco. d. ^ Primarily Riffian, Shilha and Central Tamazight. e. ^ Primarily Darija and Hassaniya. f. ^ The area 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi) excludes all disputed territories, while 710,850 km2 (274,460 sq mi) includes the Moroccan-administered parts of Western Sahara (claimed as the Sahrawi Republic by the Polisario Front).

Morocco (Arabic: المغرب‎ al-Maghrib; Berber: ⴰⵎⵕⵕⵓⴽ or ⵍⵎⴰⵖⵔⵉⴱ Ameṛṛuk or Lmaġrib, French: Maroc); officially the Kingdom of Morocco. is the most westerly of the North African countries. It is one of three countries to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and it also has a rugged mountain interior. The Arabic name al-Mamlakat al-Maghribiyyah (Arabic: المملكة المغربية‎), which translates to "The Western Kingdom", and Al-Maghrib (Arabic: المغرب‎), or Maghreb, meaning "The West", are commonly used as alternate names.

Morocco has a population of over 32 million and an area of 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi). The political capital is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities include Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Its rich culture is a blend of Arab, Berber (indigenous African) and also other African and European influences.

Morocco claims the non-self governing territory of the Western Sahara as the "Southern Provinces". Morocco annexed the territory in 1975 and a guerrilla war with indigenous forces get to a cease-fire in 1991. U.N. efforts have failed to break the political deadlock.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, including the power to dissolve the parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government but the king's decisions usually override those of the government if there is a contradiction. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can also issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law.

The main religion is Islam. The official language is Literary Arabic. Moroccan Arabic referred to as Dareja, Berber and French are also spoken.