Morocco By: Amanda Guinn

The Land of Morocco Morocco is located on the Northwestern tip of Africa. Bordered by Mauritania and Algeria Separated from the continent by the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. Four separate mountain ranges, lush river valleys, sandy coasts, and wide expanses of desert. Middle Atlas High Atlas Anti-Atlas

L a n d c o n t.. North of Morocco Fine beaches Lush highland valleys Evocative old cities Moving south and east, over the ranges of the Atlases, and The Sahara stretches out to the horizon.

Climate It is reliably dry Small amounts of rain fall between November and March Temperature varies by season Southern and southeastern desert regions reach high temperatures during the hot summer months Higher altitudes of the mountains are cool in summer evenings and freezing in winter. Wildlife Barbary Macaque Birds Camels Cheetah Dorcas Gazelle Egyptian Cobra Fennec Fox Fish

Government Constitutional Monarchy Capital: Rabat March 2, 1956 (from France) Population: 34,343,220 Life Expectancy male: 69 years female: 74 years 18 to vote King Mohammed VI.

History Morocco was invaded first by the Vandals and then the Arabs in the 7th century In the 15th century Spain and Portugal began to intrude into Morocco Middle of the 19th century all of the European powers began a struggle for possession of the country. 1911, France was formally acknowledged as protector of the greater part of the country Spain receiving a number of isolated locales. French rule came to an end in 1953, although its cultural influence on Morocco remains evident. Today the country is ruled by King Mohammed VI.

What's going on in Morocco?? Title : Morocco Battles with Hooliganism "A FRIEND OF MINE GOT HIT BY A FLARE IN HIS LEG AND HE IS STILL DISABLED," HE CONTINUES. WITH A GROWING PROBLEM OF HOOLIGANISM IN MOROCCAN FOOTBALL, MOUTASSAMIM NOW PREFERS TO FOLLOW HIS COUNTRY'S DOMESTIC LEAGUE ON TELEVISION, ALONG WITH EUROPEAN FOOTBALL. THIS WEEK A CASABLANCA COURT SENT 14 UNRULY FANS TO PRISON, FOR TERMS BETWEEN TWO WEEKS AND TWO MONTHS. THE PRISON SENTENCES WERE PUNISHMENT FOR INCIDENTS AT THE END OF A MATCH BETWEEN RAJA CASABLANCA AND THE FAR RABAT IN JANUARY. THE SUPPORTERS ATTACKED CARS AND BUSES, INCIDENTS THAT ARE BECOMING ALL TOO COMMON AT MOROCCAN GAMES. A MEMBER OF THE MOROCCAN ROYAL FOOTBALL FEDERATION (FRMF) ADMITTED TO THE BBC THAT THE COUNTRY'S STADIUMS WERE NO LONGER FIT FOR A FAMILY DAY OUT. THE FRMF HAS ALREADY DECIDED TO GIVE TWO-YEAR STADIUM BANS TO THOSE FOUND GUILTY OF HOOLIGANISM. IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR A SPECIAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM OF FOOTBALL HOOLIGANISM. SHORTLY BEFORE THIS MORE THAN 40 FANS WERE INJURED IN CLASHES IN A GAME IN MARRAKECH. SOUFIANE MOUTASSAMIMUNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 ARE NOW NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND GAMES, AS YOUNG BOYS IN PARTICULAR HAVE BEEN BLAMED FOR MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AT MOROCCAN LEAGUE MATCHES. FRUSTRATED GROUPS OF MAINLY POOR YOUNG MEN GATHER OUTSIDE STADIUMS DURING GAMES, AND OFTEN PROVOKE CLASHES WITH THE POLICE IF THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FOR FREE. A NEW BILL IS BEING STUDIED TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE THUGS, BUT FOR THE MOMENT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. "THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY TAKEN SOME ACTION, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED SO FAR," SAYS SOUFIANE. "CHILDREN ARE MEANT TO BE BANNED FROM THE STADIUM IF THEY ARE NOT ACCOMPANIED, BUT THIS LAW IS NOT APPLIED. "MOROCCO HAS A VERY BAD PROBLEM WITH HOOLIGANS NOW. BY James Copnall, BBC Sport, Rabat

Economy Morocco's GDP growth rose to 5.3% in 2008 reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2000 entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Oil Exports: 24,360 bbl/day Exports - clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish Types of Industry Agriculture: 44.6% industry: 19.8% services: 35.5% age 15 and over can read and write Currency: Moroccan Dirham

Culture Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag dominating religion of Morocco is Islam Language: Classical Arabic (not used in daily speech) Darija-Arabic (spoken by some 70%) Berber (spoken language by some 30%), French often the language of business, government, military and diplomacy People express themselves in many ways: carpets, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, and calligraphy

Culture cont.. traditional dress for men is called djellaba a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called a Fez. Nearly all men wear soft leather slippers with no heel, often in yellow. Many women do as well but others wear high-heeled sandals, often in silver or gold tinsel. womens djellabas are mostly bright colors with ornate patterns, stitching, or beading men wear djellabas in plainer, neutral colors. Dar name given to one of the most common types of domestic structures in Morocco, is a home found in a medina, or walled urban area of a city.

Travel Most travelers find the early summer months to be the most comfortable time to visit rain is not a threat and temperatures are warm during the day pleasantly cool at night. Places to visit the imperial cities Marrakech, Fes and Meknes. wonderful bazaars, palaces and bustling town squares. famous for its beaches and some of the best seaside towns are on the Atlantic coast Essaouira, Tangier -- today is an important industrial centre and tourist destination Asilah -- one of the most beautiful old cities Other things to do: You can hire a camel and trek through the Sahara; climb North Africa's highest peak in the Atlas Mountains stay in a traditional Kasbah

Works Cited 2/16/09 2/17/09 world-factbook/ world-factbook/ 2/19/ /23/