La géographie du Maroc

Summary

Morocco, a constitutional monarchy in North Africa, spans 710,850 km² and is home to nearly 34 million people. Its geography includes the Atlas Mountains, the Rif region, and the Western Sahara with a desert climate. Administratively, it's divided into 12 regions, 75 provinces and prefectures, and over 1,500 municipalities. With a population density of about 50 inhabitants per km², urban areas are concentrated in the north, with Casablanca as the economic hub and Rabat as the political capital. Morocco's economy is the fifth largest in Africa, driven by tourism, phosphate exports, and agriculture. It has a complex political landscape, with the king holding significant power, and faces territorial disputes, particularly over the Western Sahara.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Morocco is a North African country with an area of 710,850 km² and a population of nearly 34 million people.
• 🏙️ Rabat is the capital of Morocco, which is a constitutional monarchy.
• 🗺️ Morocco's territory expanded in 1975 with the incorporation of the former Spanish Sahara, which is now largely controlled by Morocco since 1991.
• 🏞️ The country's geography includes the Atlas Mountains, the Rif region, the Atlantic coastal plains, and the Western Sahara with a desert climate.
• 🏛️ Morocco is administratively divided into 12 regions, 75 provinces and prefectures, and 1503 municipalities.
• 👥 The population is unevenly distributed, with the southern region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab being the least populated despite being the largest in area.
• 🌆 Casablanca is the economic hub with around 5 million inhabitants, while Rabat is the political capital with a conurbation of nearly 2 million.
• 🚆 Morocco has a developed transportation network including highways, railways, and an international air network, with plans for a high-speed train line.
• 💼 The economy is the fifth-largest in Africa, with key sectors being tourism, phosphate exports, and agriculture.
• 🏛️ Morocco is a constitutional monarchy where the King has significant control over the government, and the country is ranked 105th in democracy by The Economist Group.
• 🌐 Morocco has official relations with the European Union and faces territorial disputes, notably over Western Sahara, which is claimed by the Polisario Front and is a point of contention with Algeria.

Q & A

What is Morocco's geographical location and size?

Morocco is located in North Africa, covering an area of 710,850 square kilometers.

How many inhabitants does Morocco have, and what is its population density?

Morocco has almost 34 million inhabitants with a population density of slightly less than 50 inhabitants per square kilometer.

What form of government does Morocco have, and who is the capital city?

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with Rabat as its capital city.

How did Morocco's territory expand in 1975, and what is the status of Western Sahara?

In 1975, after the end of the Spanish mandate, Morocco claimed the former Spanish Sahara as its territory, which it has controlled mainly since 1991.

What are the three main mountain ranges in Morocco, and which one is the highest peak?

The main mountain ranges in Morocco are the Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas. The highest peak is Jebel Toubkal in the High Atlas, standing at 4,167 meters.

How is Morocco administratively divided, and what are the two types of subdivisions at the second level?

Morocco is divided into 12 administrative regions, which are further subdivided into 75 provinces and prefectures, with the difference in terminology reflecting whether the area is predominantly rural or urban.

What is the least populated region in Morocco, and what is its population?

The least populated region in Morocco is Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab in the far south, with a population of less than 150,000 inhabitants.

What is the urban network like in Morocco, and which city is the economic metropolis?

Morocco's urban network is unique in that it does not revolve around a single large city. Casablanca is the economic metropolis with an expected population of around 5 million inhabitants.

How does Morocco's road and rail network connect its major cities?

Morocco's road and rail network is centered on an axis between Casablanca and Rabat, with highways and a regular railway line connecting these two cities, as well as other major urban areas.

What is Morocco's economic status, and what are its main economic sectors?

Morocco is considered a developing country and is the fifth-largest economy in Africa. Its main economic sectors include tourism, phosphate exports, and agriculture.

How does Morocco's political system work, and what is the role of the King?

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy where the King retains control over the government, even after legislative elections. The King chooses the Prime Minister from the leading party in the elections.

What are the official languages of Morocco, and what is the status of French in the country?

The official languages of Morocco are Standard Arabic and Amazigh. French, while not official, has administrative status and is used in official documents and public signs.

What is the Western Sahara issue, and how does it affect Morocco's international relations?

The Western Sahara issue involves Morocco's claim over the former Spanish territory, which it has controlled since 1991. This has led to disputes with Algeria and recognition issues within the African Union and the United Nations.