Morocco

Country name: Kingdom of Morocco
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Rabat
Population: 34.859.364 (July 2009 estimates)
Size: 446.550 sq km
Life expectancy: 71.8 years
Literacy: 52.3 %
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Coastline: 1835 km


In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive 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. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco’s sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. (Source: CIA World Factbook)

My memories of Morocco

Time of travel: December-Januar 2007/2008

My trip to Morocco was in fact a surfing trip where I visited Slovenian surf camp near Agadir. Photos from this trip are mainly from the town were we were living, from Agadir, from the beaches where we were surfing and from Marrakech. The first thing I noticed when I walked out of the main airport building in Marrakech was snow in the mountains. Before the trip to Morocco I did’t know that you can ski there. Maybe I’ll go skiing there someday.

Related posts with Morocco on my blog

Morocco through my eyes: