Africa Blog

Morocco

Pre Colonial:

The earliest well-known Moroccan independent state was the Berber Kingdom of Mauretania under King Bocchus I. This Berber Kingdom of Mauretania, currently northern Morocco, dates at least to 110 BC. In 788, 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.

Colonial:

In 1900 France and Italy made a secret agreement assigning Morocco to France and Libya  to Italy. In 1902 a similar arrangement between France and Spain provides for the proposed division between them of Moroccan territory. In 1904 France and Britain make a pact: Britain will allow France freedom of action in Morocco in return for France's acceptance of Britain's role in Egypt. Meanwhile, Morocco is still evidently an independent ruled country , although inefficiently, by its own Alaouite dynasty of sultans. Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912.

Independence:

In 1956, after 44 years of occupation, Morocco regained independence from France and Spain as the "Kingdom of Morocco". Five years later, Hassan II begins a 38-year reign as the king of Morocco. Then in 1976, the UN entrusts the Western Sahara to joint administration by Morocco and Mauritania. Morocco annexes the Mauritanian part of the Western Sahara, thus taking control of the entire region three years later.

Present Day:

Under King Mohammed VI, who in 1999 succeeded his father to the throne, human rights have improved. This month, Morocco, the only North African country that has no oil or gas of its own, approved creation of an agency to ensure nuclear plant safety, helping advance slow-moving plans for its first nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactors are machines that convert energy stored in atoms into heat or electricity.

Interesting:

There are several interesting facts about Morocco. Did you know that Morocco is the only African country that is presently not a member of the ‘African Union’? (I didn't.) In addition, the University in Fes, founded in 859 AD, claims to be the oldest university in the world. Another interesting fact is that the full Arabic name of Morocco is ‘Al-Mamlaka al-Maghribiya’, which translates to ‘The Western Kingdom’. Also, Morocco is the 12^th richest country in Africa. Lastly, Morocco is one of the eleven countries that's apart of Epcot's World Showcase at Disney World.

Sources:

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-morocco-1662.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mo.html

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac97

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/7258138.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco