History UsefulNotes / Morocco

* Part of ''Film/TheBourneUltimatum'' takes place in Tangier, Morocco.
* Creator/MarleneDietrich's first American movie was simply called "Film/{{Morocco}}".

Morocco ('''Arabic:''' المغرب‎ al-Maġrib; '''Berber:''' ⵍⵎⴰⵖⵔⵉⴱ; '''French:''' Maroc), also known as the '''Kingdom of Morocco''' ('''Arabic:''' المملكة المغربية Al-Mamlakah al-Maġribiyah; '''Berber:''' ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ Tagldit N Lmġrib) is a constitutional monarchy (increasingly liberal at that) in North Africa.

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alaouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections in November 2011 and October 2016 gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and then by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself has recognized the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power. In 2021, a multitude of factors[[labelnote:*]]Notably passing a law legalizing therapeutic use of cannabis, and participating (reportedly under the pressure of the monarchy) in a Trump administration-brokered agreement on normalization of relations with UsefulNotes/{{Israel}}[[/labelnote]] led to the PJD losing face with the electorate, with that year's elections resulting in the party losing around 90% of its seats -- to the advantage of more liberal (and arguably monarchist) parties, including the pro-business National Rally of Independents (RNI) led by billionaire Aziz Akhannouch, and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who then agreed to form a coalition government.

* '''Chef Chaouine''' (Arabic: شفشاون, ''Shafshāwin'') is famous for the beauty of the Rif Mountains and its pretty buildings decked out in white and blue, but foreigners are more attracted to the ''ridiculous'' amount of cannabis grown in the surrounding countryside. This region grows an appreciable fraction of the hashish in Europe.

* Music/BrianJones (Music/TheRollingStones) recorded an album full with music by the Moroccan folk group The Master Musicians Of Jajouka: ''Music/BrianJonesPresentsThePipesOfPanAtJajouka'' (1971).

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alaouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections in November 2011 and October 2016 gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and then by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself has recognized the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power. In 2021, a multitude of factors[[labelnote:*]]Notably legalizing therapeutic use of cannabis and participating in a Trump administration-brokered agreement on normalization of relations with UsefulNotes/{{Israel}} (the latter reportedly under the pressure of the monarchy)[[/labelnote]] led to the PJD losing face with the electorate with that year's elections resulting in the party losing around 90% of its seats, to the advantage of more liberal (and arguably monarchist) parties including the pro-business National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who then agreed to form a coalition government.

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alaouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections in November 2011 and October 2016 gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and then by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself has recognized the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power. In 2021, a multitude of factors[[labelnote:*]]Legalizing therapeutic use of cannabis, and participating in a Trump administration-brokered agreement on normalization of relations with UsefulNotes/{{Israel}}, the latter reportedly under the pressure of the monarchy[[/labelnote]] cost the PJD its plurality in that year's elections, to the advantage of more liberal parties including the pro-business National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the monarchist Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who then agreed to form a coalition government.

* French-Moroccan comedian Creator/JamelDebbouze created the ''Marrakech du rire'' stand-up comedy festival in 2011. It is hedl in the eponymous city every year.

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alaouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections in November 2011 and October 2016 gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and then by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself has recognized the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power. In 2021, a multitude of factors[[note]]Legalizing therapeutic use of cannabis, and participating in a Trump administration-brokered agreement on normalization of relations with UsefulNotes/{{Israel}}, the latter reportedly under the pressure of the monarchy[[/note]] cost the PJD its plurality in that year's elections, to the advantage of more liberal parties, including the pro-business National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the monarchist Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who then agreed to form a coalition government.

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections in November 2011 and 2016 gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and then by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself has recognized the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power. Eventually, a multitude of factors including participating in an agreement on normalization of relations with UsefulNotes/{{Israel}} cost the PJD its plurality in the 2021 elections, to the advantage of more liberal parties[[note]]Chiefly, the pro-business National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which is generally seen by observers and activists as being aligned with the monarchy[[/note]] who then agreed to form a coalition government.

* '''Ifrane''' (Arabic: إفران/يفرن ''Ifrān'') is in the Atlas Mountains, and was built by the French. It has been called "Morocco's Little Switzerland" due to its architecture, imported European plants, and its cold temperatures with snowy winters; the town is a ski resort. (Fun fact - The coldest temperature in Africa was reported in Ifrane at -24.3 C/-11.7 F.) It also plays host to Al Akhawayn University, a [[UsefulNotes/SaudiArabia Saudi-funded]] American-style university that positions itself as a kind of Moroccan Oxford or Harvard.

Despite its French legacy, Morocco might fairly be called the Britain of the Arab world: Morocco doesn't seem to like sudden change. Not for nothing is the current (Alouite) dynasty the longest-lasting (400 years!) royal family of a sovereign state outside of Europe and Japan. This tendency was seen most recently during the Arab Spring, where Morocco ''did'' see protests--and much as the bobbies didn't (or rather couldn't, as they weren't given firearms) fire on the British protesters in 1848, [[KnowWhenToFoldEm the Moroccan police kept well away from the protesters in 2011. As a result, the Moroccan protest movement didn't get enough momentum to become a full-on uprising or revolution]], and in July 2011, the Moroccan people approved constitutional reforms that put the system of government within shouting distance of democracy (although the king's powers remain extensive). The subsequent elections gave a plurality to the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD,[[note]]French acronym of ''Parti de la justice et du développement''[[/note]] modeled on the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Turkish]] party of the same name); by the terms of the constitutional amendments, the government was initially headed by Abdelilah Benkirane of the PJD, and is currently led by Saadeddine Othmani of the same party. The King himself recognizes the trend in his country, and has said he does not expect that his son will ever exercise any real power.

Although associated in many Westerners' minds with "desert," Morocco's real defining geographical characteristic is "mountains." The Atlas Mountains trap humid air from the Atlantic, creating a fairly large area in the northern part of the country dominated by green fields and rolling hills, good for farming and especially for raising livestock (for this reason, meat is rather cheaper in Morocco than it is in many other Arabic-speaking countries: because much of Morocco's farmland is marginal at best for crops but excellent for raising sheep and goats, the Moroccan diet features a good deal more meat than that of its Arab neighbors). It doesn't start to get really arid until around the line between Marrackesh and Essaouira in the south--about where the mountains start to peter out.

It is a member of the Arab League, has strong ties with UsefulNotes/TheEuropeanUnion and is a major US ally, in spite of its population, being the first nation to recognize the United States. However, it was for a long time also the only country in Africa that not part of the African Union, due to the AU recognising the independence of Western Sahara. There may also be a cultural subtext to this: Moroccans steadfastly refuse to think of themselves as "African" -- visit Fes, Marrakesh, or Rabat and ask what continent you're in, and they'll [[BerserkButton adamantly reply]] "extremely Southern Europe." However, in 2017, the kingdom joined the AU.

* Myth/ArabMyyhology

'''In fiction:'''

* '''Highest point:''' Jbel Toubkal (4165 m/13,665 ft) (42nd)

* The middle altitudes of the mountains have some interesting coniferous forests that are absolutely wonderful for hiking and camping. They resemble nothing if not the redwood forests of the American Pacific Northwest--but with ''[[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys monkeys]]'' (specifically, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_macaque Barbary macaques]]).

* ''Series/BirdsOfAFeather'': The tenth Christmas Special [["Recap/BirdsOfAFeatherCS10TheresAGirlInMySouk There's A Girl In My Souk"]] is set in Morocco as the girls attempt to locate Tracey's son, Travis.

* '''Highest point:''' Jbel Toubkal (4165 m/13,665 ft) (61st)

* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' MA

** Prime Minister: Saadeddine Othmani

* ''VideoGame/RainbowSixSiege'' features Morocco as the focus its [=Y3S4=] DLC lineup, including a map that set in a Moroccan old fortress and two operators from the country's CTU, Nomad and Kaid.

* ''VideoGame/RainbowSixSiege'' features Morocco as the focus its Y3S4 DLC lineup, including a map that set in a Moroccan old fortress and two operators from the country's CTU, Nomad and Kaid.

* '''Capital''' Rabat

* '''Area:''' 710,850 km (274,460 sq mi) (including Western Sahara) or 446,550 km (172,410 sq mi) (excluding Western Sahara) (39th or 57th)

* Unitary semi-constitutional monarchy

** President of the House of Councillors: Hakim Benchamach
** President of the House of Representatives: Habib El Malki