Country information: Morocco

Morocco is strategically located in the northwest corner of Africa, with both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. The High Atlas mountain range stretches throughout the country, giving it a mountainous interior.

Although Morocco remained an independent entity for centuries, it hosted a wide array of cultural and ethnic groups, including Arabs, Berbers, Europeans and other African influences. Unlike its neighbours, Morocco was never annexed into the Turkish Empire.

The beginning of the 17th century saw the arrival at the throne of the Alaouite dynasty, a family that has managed to stay in power ever since. However, the Spanish invaded in 1860, grabbing the northern parts of Morocco, whereas France established a protectorate over other areas in 1912. The French withheld their position for decades, but ended the occupation in 1956, and was subsequently replaced by Sultan Mohammed V who became king. His son, Hassan II, replaced him 5 years later and ruled for 38 years. 

Morocco’s current monarch, Mohammed VI, has governed since the death of his father in 1999, and has been willing to cautiously reform the country. Although he very much retains ultimate authority, there is a parliament chosen in elections deemed fair by foreign observers. It is sometimes said that Morocco hosts a “relatively free” press, but the fact remains that delicate topics such as Islam, the monarchy and the disputed issue over Western Sahara are out of reach for journalists. The revolutions in the Arab world spread to Morocco in early 2011, forcing the king to call for reforms. The result was a renewed constitution that allowed for a number of civil rights previously ignored.

Western Sahara has been a controversial topic of discussion ever since the Spanish left in the 1970s. Morocco has controlled much of the territory since 1979, but stands in a problematic conflict with the Polisario Front that seeks to create an independent state. The past years have seen an increase in negotiations and tendencies towards rapprochement between the two parties, such as the release in 2005 of roughly 400 Moroccan prisoners of war.  

Morocco is seeking close relationships with both the EU and the US, and has entered into an Association Agreement with the EU as well as a Free Trade Agreement with Washington. The economy is a relatively stable one, enjoying the world’s largest exports of phosphate. While modern industries are on the rise, agricultural production maintains a dominant role in the economy.