Morocco

　　       Country: The Kingdom of Morocco.        Name meaning: “Morocco” means “the farthest west” in Arabic. In ancient times, when Arabs conquered North Africa and reached present-day Morocco, they were stopped by the Atlantic Ocean and believed this was the westernmost edge of the world, hence the name. Another theory suggests that Phoenicians from Asia Minor landed here and were captivated by the natural beauty, naming it Morocco, meaning “a place of rest.”        Nickname: The Kingdom of Phosphates.        National Anthem: “Hymn to Morocco.”        National Tree: Cork Oak.        Area: 458,730 square kilometers.        Population: 26 million (1993).        Ethnic Groups: Arabs account for about 80%, with the remainder being Berbers, among others.        Religion: Primarily Islam.        Language: Arabic is the official language, with French widely spoken.        Capital: Rabat.        Major Cities: Casablanca (Dar el Beida), Fes, Marrakech.        Currency: Dirham.

　　       History: The early inhabitants were Berbers. From the 15th century BC, they were under the influence of the Phoenicians. From the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, they were ruled by the Roman Empire. In the 6th century, they were occupied by the Byzantine Empire. In the 7th century, Arabs migrated in, and the first Arab kingdom was established in the 8th century. Since then, dynasties have changed frequently. Starting in the 15th century, Western powers invaded one after another. In 1904, France and Spain divided Morocco between them. In 1924, the Republic of the Rif Tribal Federation was established in the north but was suppressed by Franco-Spanish allied forces. In November 1952, it became an eight-nation (including the U.S., UK, and France) mandated territory. On March 2, 1956, it gained independence, and on August 14 of the following year, the country’s name was officially designated as the Kingdom of Morocco.             Geography: Located at the northwest corner of the African continent. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, with a coastline of over 1,750 kilometers. The terrain is mainly mountainous and plateau, with the highest point being Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains at 4,165 meters above sea level. The northern region has a narrow coastal plain, the central area is traversed by the Atlas Mountains, the western coastal areas consist of a series of low plains and inland high plateaus, the southern part is a plateau, and the southeastern part is part of the Sahara Desert. Major rivers include the Oum Er-Rbia River and the Sebou River. The southeastern part has a tropical desert climate. The northwestern part has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The average annual temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius, slightly higher in the east and south.

　　     Economy: The economy is primarily based on agriculture and mining. Phosphates are the main mineral resource, accounting for 60% of the world’s reserves. Industry is dominated by mining, with significant sectors including textiles, leather, ceramics, and furniture. The agricultural population accounts for 57% of the total population, with major crops being wheat, barley, and corn. The country has abundant fishing resources, particularly sardines, making it Africa’s largest fish-producing nation.

　　     Attractions: The Hassan Tower, Jamaa el Fna Square in Marrakech, and the old city of Casablanca.

　　     Festivals: Independence Day: March 2; National Day (ascension of King Hassan II in 1961): March 3; Youth Day: July 9.

　　     Customs: At the Berber bride market, girls dress up elaborately, covering their faces with veils that reveal only their eyes, waiting for young men to choose them. At the fair, young men and women may fall in love at first sight and pledge to spend their lives together, though the man’s father must formally propose to the woman’s father for the marriage to be official. Moroccan clothing is distinctive: men typically wear long robes and thick headscarves, while women wear long white garments that reach the ankles, wrap their entire bodies, and cover their faces with layers of veils, leaving only their eyes visible.

　　      Rabat, Morocco