Morocco

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

Morocco on the map

Basic InformationFull Name: The Kingdom of MoroccoPopulation: 32,987,206Capital: RabatLargest city: CasablancaMajor language: Arabic and FrenchMajor religion: MuslimLife expectancy: Male: 73 , Female: 79Monetary unit:  Moroccan DirhamGPD 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

LanguageHello:  (as-salām 'alaykum) السالم عليكمBye: m - (tosbeho ‘ala khair) تصبح على خير f - (tosbeheena ‘ala khair) تصبحين على خيرMy name is…: (... ismee) ... اسميThank you: (shukran) شكراPlease: (mīn fāḍlīkā) من فضلكI love you: (uhibbuk) أحبكHow are you?: m - (kayfa hālak) كيف حالك؟ f - (kayfa hālik) كيف حالك؟

Government

Monarch:Mohammed VIPrime Minister:Abdelilah BenkiraneStructure: Constitutional MonarchyIn 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)

EconomicsCurrency: Moroccan DirhamMain 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 LifeDaily 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