Morocco

Morocco, also known as the Land of God, is a country that can be found in North Africa on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and it borders east Spain and Algeria. Morocco is the only country in Africa that is not a part of the African Union, but it is a member of several other unions and leagues.

Morocco has been in existence for a long time, they say that in has been occupied since at least 8000 BC; as time went on, all of North Africa started to get to know the world through the Phoenician trading colonies. The entire area was considered prime land because it was within the borders of the Roman Empire.

Islam got a hold of the country in 670 AD, years past and history took its course...Islam stayed on in the country and flourished. As time got closer to what we would call today, the powers that were in Europe saw potential in the country and many tried to get control; it was only with successful political maneuvering that a war was avoided, and that by letting the French basically take control of the country. A lot of people did not like that and eventually political parties started to pop up to fight for the independence of Morocco, the Sultan got kicked out of the country by the French but that was a bad move because it only brought a lot more people down on them for the cause of freedom and independence; it was only when things started to get violent that the sultan was allowed to return and negotiations for the country's independence started to take place. Today there is a celebration held on every August 20, it is called "the revolution of The King and the People" and it is to remember the time when they became free.

It has now been over 50 years since Morocco got its independence and it trades with the United States and the European Union. The country has a constitutional monarchy and an elected parliament. Considering its history, it is doing well and moving up in the world as a nation.

Morocco is the 57th largest country in the world, a little bigger than the state of California. If anybody wants to see the town that is also the name of one of the greatest movies of all time, come and visit Casablanca, although I doubt that you will find Rick and his bar there, Casablanca is Morocco's main port and largest city.

The climate is Mediterranean; Morocco is home to rich coastal plains and it also has some forests...a very beautiful country! You can find all kinds of wildlife in Morocco as well, there are over 454 species in the country, a must see if you ever get to go there!

There is a good Jewish population in the country, there are more Jews in Morocco then in any other Muslim country in the world, they went to Morocco after settling in Europe. Sometimes throughout their history there, they have suffered and been murdered, other times there have been complete peace between them and people of other religions. When it comes to different types of people living in the country, I think that Morocco can be called diverse and rich in culture; it seems that this country has taken a little bit from everywhere.

Did you know that Morocco has the most diversified food in the world? In Morocco you can find as traditional dishes, Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Moorish, African and Mediterranean food types (and many more). There is so much diversity because of the constant contact that this country has had with the outside world. The people of Morocco like to use spices in their food, although a lot of it is imported; some of it is home grown like saffron, mint and olives. Chicken is the most common meat and people love green tea with some mint.

Morocco is the type of country that you would want to visit just to see it, just to taste it and get to know the people there...
By Claudia Miclaus


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