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World > Africa > Morocco
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Morocco |
Introduction:
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In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Lower house elections were last held in September 2002, while upper house elections were last held in September 2006.
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| Official name: |
Kingdom of Morocco |
| Capital: |
name: Rabat
geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Government type: |
constitutional monarchy |
| Population: |
33,757,175 (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy |
| Official Currency: |
Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Current Moroccan Dirham Exchange Rates
Historical Moroccan Dirham Exchange Rates
Chart Moroccan Dirham Exchange Rates |
| Currency code: |
MAD |
| Area: |
total: 446,550 sq km
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km |
| Climate: |
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior |
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Map of Morocco
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