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.

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??

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 Arab-Berber country 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 Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag

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.

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.

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