Morocco

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in North Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea to the west and north, Algeria to the east and southeast, and the Western Sahara to the south. The capital city is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca. Historically, Morocco has been inhabited since ancient times, with a rich history that includes influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Berbers, Arabs, and various European powers. It was a French and Spanish protectorate in the early 20th century before gaining independence in 1956. Morocco claims the disputed territory of Western Sahara, leading to tensions with the indigenous Sahrawi people. Morocco's economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. It is the world's largest exporter of phosphates, and agriculture remains a significant sector, with products like citrus fruits, vegetables, and olives. The country has also developed a robust tourism industry, attracting visitors to its historic cities, Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches, and the Sahara Desert. The population of Morocco is predominantly Arab-Berber, and Islam is the state religion. Arabic is the official language, with Berber languages also recognized. French is widely used in government, business, and education. Culturally, Morocco is known for its rich heritage in music, literature, cuisine, and architecture. Moroccan cuisine is famous for dishes like couscous, tagine, and pastilla. The country's architecture features iconic elements like riads, medinas, and intricate tilework. Morocco is geographically diverse, with landscapes ranging from the Atlas and Rif mountains to the Sahara Desert and coastal plains. The climate varies from Mediterranean in the north to more arid conditions in the interior and south. Politically, Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The king holds substantial executive and legislative powers, including the ability to dissolve the parliament. Population of Morocco from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 36.0 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 36.5 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 37.0 million inhabitants. Capital (Rabat): Population in 2020: About 580,000 inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Casablanca: ~3.4 million Fez: ~1.1 million Tangier: ~1.0 million Marrakech: ~1.0 million Salé: ~900,000 Meknes: ~632,000 Rabat: ~580,000 Oujda: ~500,000 Kenitra: ~431,000 Agadir: ~421,000 Morocco is divided into 12 regions. Some regions include: Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Oriental, Fès-Meknès, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra. GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About $118.5 billion. 2019: About $119.0 billion. 2020: About $112.2 billion. Public deficit in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 9.8%. 2019: Approximately 9.2%. 2020: Approximately 11.9%. Inflation Rate from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Around 1.9%. 2019: Approximately 0.2%. 2020: Around 0.7%.