The region constituting Morocco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, more than 300,000 years ago. The Moroccan state traces its origins to the establishment of the Idrisid dynasty by Idris I in 788, although its historical territories did not coincide with those of present-day Morocco; the country is regarded as one of the world's oldest continuously existing states. Morocco was subsequently ruled by a series of other independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as a regional power in the 11th and 12th centuries, under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, both Berber kingdoms, when it controlled the southern and eastern Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, with Portugal seizing some territory and the Ottoman Empire encroaching from the east. The Marinid and Saadi dynasties otherwise resisted foreign domination, and Morocco was the only North African nation to escape Ottoman dominion. The Saadi dynasty expanded its territory through the conquest of the Songhai Empire in the late 16th century. The Alawi dynasty, which rules the country to this day, seized power in 1631, and over the next two centuries expanded diplomatic and commercial relations with the Western world. It is among the world's oldest reigning royal dynasties. Morocco's strategic location near the mouth of the Mediterranean drew renewed European interest. In 1912, France and Spain established protectorates over the country and designated Tangier as an international zone, while the Sultan remained the formal sovereign with limited authority under colonial control. Following intermittent riots and revolts against colonial rule, Morocco regained its independence and reunified in 1956 under the leadership of Sultan Mohammed V.
Since independence, Morocco has remained relatively stable. It has the fifth-largest economy in Africa and wields significant influence in both Africa and the Arab world; it is considered a middle power in global affairs and holds membership in the Arab League, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the African Union. It is one of the few countries in Africa ranking high on the Human Development Index and is Africa's leading industrial economy. Morocco is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The executive branch is led by the King of Morocco and the prime minister, while legislative power is vested in the two chambers of parliament: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Judicial power rests with the Constitutional Court, which may review the validity of laws, elections, and referendums. The king holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs; he can issue dahirs, decrees which have the force of law, and he can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the prime minister and the president of the constitutional court. Morocco is classified as a hybrid regime and, as of 2025, holds the highest ranking in the Arab world, according to The Economist Democracy Index. Islam is both the official and predominant religion, with nearly all of the population identifying as Muslims. Arabic and Tamazight are the official languages, though the Moroccan dialect of Arabic (known locally as Darija) is widely spoken and considered the lingua franca. The culture of Morocco is a mix of Arab, Berber, Andalusian, and African cultures. Morocco is considered an important country of the Maghreb region of the Arab world.
The state religion of Morocco is Islam. The government plays an active role in determining and policing religious practice for Muslims, and disrespecting Islam in public can carry punishments in the forms of fines and imprisonment.
Sunni Islam and Judaism are the only religions recognized by the Moroccan constitution as native to the country, with all other religions being considered "foreign". While foreigners can generally practice their religion in peace, citizens who practice "foreign religions" face obstacles from the government and social pressure. In particular, Shia Muslims and members of the Baháʼí Faith face discrimination from the government, as do some Christian groups. In 2022 there were no Shia mosques in the country.
Historically, Morocco has oscillated between periods of religious tolerance and intolerance. From the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb in 698 through the reign Almoravid dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries, the region experienced a period of significant religious tolerance; Jews and Christians were required to pay special taxes, but otherwise were allowed to practice their religions in peace, allowing for the flourishing of a Jewish Golden Age. The following Almohad Caliphate instituted harsh religious rule, and forced all non-Muslims to convert on pain of death. Later dynasties reinstated policies of religious tolerance, allowing Jews and Christians to return to the country, although these later dynasties were also sometimes marked by the persecution of religious minorities, either by the government or by violent mobs. During World War II, Morocco fell under the Nazi-backed Vichy Regime, which attempted to deport the Jewish population to concentration camps. This attempt was blocked by Mohammed V of Morocco, although other anti-Jewish laws were successfully passed. Following independence in 1956, Morocco established a constitution which re-established Islam as a state religion, and nominally provides for the freedom of religion, although as mentioned above, discrimination against certain minority groups continues to the present day. (Full article...)
Image 5The Berber entrepot Sijilmassa along the trade routes of the Western Sahara, c. 1000–1500. Goldfields are indicated by light brown shading (from History of Morocco)
Image 6Ahwach a traditional dance performed during Yennayer and symbolizing unity. The women all dance under the same long veil (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 13Tajine Djaj Zitoune; one of the numerous Moroccan Tajine and the most well known. It is made of chicken, olives and candied lemon (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 15Amazigh man in the South of Morocco wearing the traditional blue veil (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 16Two kids in Morocco, 1926, the little boy has a Tamzurt haircut. His head is shaved leaving a single braid hanging down (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 24Pastilla/Bstlla is an other dish that can be either salty or sweet and savory. A regal dish from the city of Fez; it is a pie dusted with sugar and filled with beef (or pigeon, following the medieval recipe). A version with seafood, lemon, and vermicelli also exists. (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 25The Maghreb in the second half of the 19th century (from History of Morocco)
Image 26The ancient harbor at the Bou Regreg, taken from Salé facing Rabat (from History of Morocco)
Image 27Roman mosaic of Tetuan (ancient Tamuda), we can see a Maurii with an ostrich feather in his hair and a curly beard (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 28Sultan Abd-al-Aziz with his bicycle in 1901. The young sultan was noted for his capricious spending habits, which exacerbated a major trade deficit (from History of Morocco)
Image 32A plate of Moroccan pastries. Almonds, sugar, honey are the sesame seeds and orange blossoms are the main ingredients for the preparations of sweets, cakes, pastries in Morocco (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 34The sweet and savory luxurious Tajine Lham Bel Berkouk, made with lamb, prunes, apricots and almonds. It is a consumed during Moroccan weddings (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 38Zaalouk is an eggplant dip served as a cold appetizer; made with eggplant, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, and drizzled with olive oil, it is enjoyed throughout Morocco and across other Mediterranean cultures. (from Culture of Morocco)
Image 41Portrait of his excellency Mohamed Ben Ali abgali with Al sulham, ambassador of the King of Morocco to the court of Saint James. August 1725. He wears a traditional Moroccan Burnous. (from Culture of Morocco)
This is a Good article, an article that meets a core set of high editorial standards.
Morocco competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The country's participation at Sochi marked its sixth appearance at a Winter Olympics since its debut at the 1968 Games; no athlete has ever won any medals. Sochi 2014 marked the first time the Moroccan Olympic team competed in Russia as Morocco and 63 other Western nations took part in the US-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The 2014 delegation consisted of two athletes competing in alpine skiing, Adam Lamhamedi and Kenza Tazi, who were accompanied by Adam's brother Sami and four officials. Adam Lamhamedi was also the nation's flag bearer in the Parade of Nations, and at the closing ceremony. Neither skier finished on a medal podium. (Full article...)
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↑In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Casablanca as 3,359,818, which corresponds to the population of Casablanca Prefecture.
↑In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Fez as 1,112,072, which corresponds to the combined population of those parts of Fez Prefecture not within the cercle of Fez Banlieue ("suburbs").
↑In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Marrakesh as 928,850, which corresponds to the combined population of the municipality of Méchouar-Kasba and the five arrondissements of Annakhil, Gueliz, Marrakech-Médina, Ménara and Sidi Youssef Ben Ali.
↑In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Meknes as 632,079, which corresponds to the combined population of the municipalities of Meknes, Al Machouar – Stinia, Toulal and Ouislane.
↑In the 2014 census, the High Commission for Planning gave the legal population of Rabat as 577,827, which corresponds to the population of Rabat Prefecture.
↑The population figure refers only to the urban centre (HCP geographic code[fr] 09.001.05.09.3) of the rural commune of Drargua.
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