Morocco
by High Contrast,
used under
General Information
Capitol
Rabat Largest Cities Casablanca 3.491 million; Rabat (capital) 1.932 million; Fes 1.149 million; Marrakech 1.1 million; Tangier 948,000 (2014) Population 32,987,206 (July 2014 est.) Area 446,550 sq km Area-Comparative Slightly larger than California Bordering Countries Algeria and Western Sahara Date of Founding/Independence 2 March 1956 (from France) Type of Government constitutional monarchy Languages Arabic (official), Berber languages, Tachelhit, French. Major Religions Muslim 99%, other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i). (2010 est.) Top Exports Clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish Currency Moroccan dirham |
Natural Resources
While services make up a little more than half of its GDP, Morocco also relies heavily on its natural resources as a major component of its economy. Morocco's key natural resource is phosphate, which is used to make fertilizers and pesticides. In the 1970, when Morocco gained control over the Sahara, it gained an area that potentially contains 2/3 of the worlds phosphate reserves. Other minerals mined include barite, cobalt, fluorspar and lead exported in small quantities, as well as iron and coal used for Morocco's domestic use.
A major weakness of Morocco's resources is their shortage of energy sources. Oil exploration has been largely unsuccessful with only a few gas reserves being exploited. The coastline along Western Sahara is also being explored for offshore oil deposits. Morocco is putting much of its efforts towards renewable resources like solar energy and hydroelectric energy. In the meantime, with virtually no oil or gas of its own, Morocco currently imports 98% of its energy. |
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War/Strife
A succinct timeline of Morocco's wars and strife can be found here.
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Carving up Morocco
In the 19th century Spain and France began conflicts over the territory known as Morocco. In 1904 France and Spain concluded an agreement that carved out respective areas of influence. In 1905 Germany tried to gain a foothold in the country in order to gain some control of its mineral deposits almost leading to a major European conflict. In 1906 the Algericas Conference gave the sultan of Morocco control but left control and policing of Moroccan ports and collecting custom fees to France and Spain. Moroccan Independence and Sovereignty In 1912 the sultan of Morocco, Moulay Abd al-Hafid, permitted French protectorate status under the Treaty of Fez, administered by French Resident-General. From 1921 to 1926 there was a tribal rebellion against France and Spain in the Rif mountains but it was suppressed. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939 the sultan began cooperation with the French with a large Moroccan contingent serving in France. When the French collapsed in 1940 the sultan signified his independence by refusing to approve anti-Jewish legislation. In 1942 the sultan refused to comply with the Resident General and was further influenced towards independence in 1943 during his meeting with Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Casablanca conference. In 1943, Istiqlal - Party of Independence - was founded to press for independence. In 1956 came the end of French protectorate after unrest and strong nationalist sentiment. Spain kept its two coastal enclaves. Sultan Mohammed becomes king in 1957. Conflict of Western Sahara After the Spanish left Western Sahara control transfered to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian control. Algeria objected to this and threatened military intervention. Moroccan forces entered and occupied the territory in order to preemptively stop Algeria from advancing. In 1976, Moroccan and Algerian troops clash in Western Sahara. Algeria announced the formation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a government-in-exile. Morocco and Mauritania divided up Western Sahara. The fighting between Moroccan military and Polisario forces is a considerable financial drain on Morocco. In 1983 King Hassan cancels planned elections amid the political unrest and economic crisis. In 1988 full diplomatic relations with Algeria are resumed. In 1991 a UN-monitored ceasefire begins in Western Sahara, but the territory's status remains undecided and ceasefire violations are reported. The following decade sees much wrangling over a proposed referendum on the future of the territory but the deadlock is not broken. |
Agriculture
Morocco's Climate Zones
First climate zone is its coastal plains and plateaus. These areas have hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Rainfall decreases progressively down the coast. The next climate zone is the highland areas of the Rif and Atlas mountains. these areas have higher rainfall and colder temperatures. The final climate zone is the desert. This area obviously has little to no rainfall with hot dry days and cold nights. Morocco's Crops Morocco has great agricultural potential. The country produces two-thirds of the wheat, barley, and corn for its domestic consumption and could potentially become self-sufficient in food production. Along with its own food production Morocco also exports citrus fruits, vegetables and olives in addition to a developed wine industry and an expanding cash crops production like cotton and sugar. Additionally, crops like tea and tobacco have past the experimental stage. Water and Irigation Morocco is working on ways to manage its water usage and in the past 50 years 60% of public investment in agriculture has gone toward it's irrigation systems. While it is developing its irrigation systems, drought is still a constant threat, making agriculture a volatile part of Morocco's economic development. |
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Economic Development
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The economic development of Morocco is heavily reliant on its natural resources and its developing agriculture. Morocco owes much of its economic development to its past conflicts through which it gained control of Western Sahara which potentially contained two-thirds of the world's phosphates and accounts for major amounts of its exports.
The Moroccan economy consolidated its growth in 2013 with GDP rising 4.7% compared to 2.7% in 2012, despite the slowdown in world growth. This was due to a healthy agricultural sector, in particular, with non agricultural activities somewhat less dynamic, compared to 2012. Overall goods exports were down by 4% because of a decline of almost 28% in exports of phosphates and their derivatives. Sound fiscal management into 2013 allowed for an inflation of only 1.9% and a deficit of 7.2% as compared to 10% in 2012. Overall, Morocco’s performance has benefited from a context of political and social stability. The business environment has improved and the country has moved up eight places in the annual World Bank Doing Business report, climbing from 95th to 87th in one year. In addition, 2013 was marked by improved tourism revenue by 2% and a significant increase in foreign direct investment (+20%). |
References
"Economy." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Economy & Industry." Our Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Independent Morocco." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco Profile - Timeline - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco: Irrigation Water Pricing Policy of Large Scale Irrigation Projects (#428)." - Mediterranean and Middle East. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Climate & Agriculture." Our Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco." - African Economic Outlook. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Economy & Industry." Our Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Independent Morocco." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco Profile - Timeline - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco: Irrigation Water Pricing Policy of Large Scale Irrigation Projects (#428)." - Mediterranean and Middle East. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Climate & Agriculture." Our Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
"Morocco." - African Economic Outlook. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.