Morocco
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Speaker Profile
(Basic Information…hometown, career, family, etc…)

Morocco on the map

Basic Information
Full Name: The Kingdom of Morocco
Population:37,457,971 (2022)
Capital: Rabat
Largest city: Casablanca
Major language: Arabic and French
Major religion: Muslim
Life expectancy: Male: 73 , Female:
79
Monetary unit: Moroccan Dirham
GPD per capita: 28,282 MAD
($7,700)
(Adapted from CIA World Factbook)

Significant Historic Events
• 7th and 8th centuries: Arab invasions lead to the creation of
the first Muslim Empire.
• 1860s-80s: Disputes arise over Spain’s claims on the northern
tip of Morocco. Spain establishes a protectorate along the
Moroccan coast.
• 1904: France also lays claim to regions of Morocco.
• 1912: France establishes an inland protectorate.
• 1921-26: French and Spanish troops suppress tribal
rebellions.
• 1956: French protectorate ends.
• 1975: Spain leaves what will become Western Sahara.
• 1976: Moroccan and Algerian troops clash over claims in
Western Sahara.
• 1988: Morocco and Algeria resume diplomatic relations.

Famous Landmarks

Language
Hello: (as-salām 'alaykum) ‫السالم‬
‫عليكم‬
Bye: m - (tosbeho ‘ala khair) ‫تصبح‬
‫على‬
‫خير‬ f - (tosbeheena
‘ala khair) ‫تصبحين‬
‫على‬
‫خير‬
My name is…: (... ismee) ... ‫اسمي‬
Thank you: (shukran) ‫شكرا‬
Please: (mīn fāḍlīkā) ‫من‬
‫فضلك‬
I love you: (uḥibbuk) ‫أحبك‬
How are you?: m - (kayfa ḥālak) ‫كيف‬
‫حالك؟‬ f - (kayfa ḥālik)
‫كيف‬
‫حالك؟‬

Government
Monarch:
Mohammed VI
Prime Minister:
Aziz Akhannouch (SINCE
2021)
Structure: Constitutional
Monarchy
In 2011, the King
revised the Constitution
in response to “Arab
Spring” protests and
appointed a new
government.

Current Issues and Events
• Disputes over Western Sahara
• Environment Issues (Erosion, desertification, water
contamination)
• Illiteracy
• Obesity
• Emigration
• Militant Groups
(Adapted from africaw. com and BBC News 2014)

Economics
Currency:
Moroccan Dirham
Main Exports:
• Clothing and textiles
• Transistors and Electric components
• Crude minerals and Inorganic
chemicals
• Petroleum products and Fertilizers
(including phosphates)
• Citrus fruits, Vegetables, Fish
(Adapted from economywatch.com)

Everyday Life
Daily life for a child:
Daily life for an adult:

Marriage and Gender

Traditional Costumes

National Festivals and
Holidays
• Eid El-Mawlid: Celebration of the prophet
Mohammad’s birth.
• Eid ul-Fitr: A feast celebrating the end of
Ramadan, a holy month of fasting.
• Eid Al Milad: The King’s Birthday
• Eid Al Massira Al Khadra: Anniversary
celebration of the Green March of November
6, 1975 when unarmed Moroccan troops
marched to Western Sahara to call for its
return to Moroccan control.
• Fatih Muharram: Islamic New Year
celebration

Traditional Foods
• Couscous
• Bisteeya (savory layered pastry)
• Tagine (meat or poultry cooked in special
pottery ware with vegetables)
• Harira (a tomato and lentil stew)
• Kafta (grilled ground beef)
• Rghaif
• Bghrir
• Spices

Sources and Links
• http://heymorocco.com/
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/mo.html
• http://www.morocco.com/
• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14121438