Population
34,859,364 inhabitants (2010).
Official language
The official language is Arabic.
Language spoken
In addition to Arabic, French is widely spoken. Berber, dominant in the mountains, is quite present in the cities.
People
It is generally believed that Morocco is populated d’Arabes and Berbers. It is true that these two groups are dominant, even if they are not alone. Arabs make up about half the population. From the conquering tribes, they are mostly urban dwellers. The Berbers (Morocco’s first occupants, their name comes from the Latin barbarus), to the opposite, form the bulk of the population of mountain and desert. generally divided into four groups, speaking four variants of the Berber language: the Rif, the Middle Atlas group, the Berbers of the High Atlas and nomadic groups of the southern provinces (mainly Reguibat). While speaking a language close to tamachek, the Reguibat are not Tuaregs. To a Westerner, the most visible difference between them is the saddle; Reguibat the saddle-shaped shell and its ornamentation is more sober. A story on the Berbers of the High Atlas, which are essentially Chleuhs. Their reputation for indomitable warriors is legendary to the point that their name became, during World War II, the nickname given to German soldiers. The Jewish population is still large and enjoys a strong economic position. It is true that Morocco has always been very tolerant towards the Jews, who have never been d’avanies and are perfectly integrated. Finally, there have been two minority populations: the West (more than 100 000 people) and in the south, Haratine, descendant of slaves of nomads.
Religion
The Morocco practice Sunni Islam, largely majority branch in the Muslim world. The rites belong to the Maliki school, which advocates a fairly flexible interpretation of the Koran and a wide tolerance. However, sometimes we see reflected in some pilgrimages, ancient beliefs Berbers. The cult of marabouts can remind our worship of saints, although the Islam condemns. The marabouts are personalities rather benevolent that is used as intercessors to pray to God.
National Holiday
National holidays (these holidays are calculated using the Gregorian calendar): – 1 January: New Year. – January 11: Independence Manifesto. – May 1: Labor Day. – July 30: Feast of the Throne. This is the most important civil holiday in Morocco. – August 14: Allegiance of Oued Ed-Dahab. – August 20: Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the people. – August 21: Youth Day (King’s birthday). – November 6: Anniversary of the Green March. – November 18: Independence Day.
Holiday Schedule
Religious holidays (they are not statutory holidays, but often not worked, and are calculated according to the lunar calendar, so their dates change every year) – Ramadan (in 2011 it will take place from 1st to 30th August). – Eid el-Fitr (or Eid el-Seghir) marks the end of Ramadan. – Eid al-Adha (or Eid al-Adha) commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham. – Ashura which commemorates the assassination of Hussein and the dead in general. – Mouloud celebrating the birth of the Prophet.
History
The Greek and Latin texts give the inhabitants of present-day Morocco various names. After the Roman conquest at the beginning of the Christian era, the contact will set Barbarus (where Berber), as the Latin division of the world. Solidarity of the Empire, the country suffered barbarian invasions: the Vandals occupy the Tangier region. Then, Morocco remains in the Byzantine sphere of influence. In 682, the Arabs here! From Tunisia, they Islamize the region, they place under the suzerainty of the Umayyad caliphate of Damascus. He finds there a solid base camp for the invasion of Spain. At the end of the eighth century, Idriss, descendant of the law of the Prophet, found refuge in Morocco. Its power recognized by the tribes, it unifies the country and moved the capital to Fez. The idrissides give a boost to their possessions and eventually replace the Umayyad Spain. In the twelfth century the Almoravid Berbers take power at the tip of scimitar and founded Marrakech. Then they pass the century. The Almohad tower. the rough. In Spain, the proverbial cruelty of Almanzor returns to one of them: Al Mansour. But you can get a reputation abroad and ensuring its domestic affairs. In the middle of the thirteenth century, the Beni Merin seize the levers. Las! In Spain the Reconquista reconquered and mérinides amuck and Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba … The taking of Granada in 1492 and a severe plague put an end to the adventure. The sixteenth century will be that of the Arab Beni Saad. They take things in hand: exit the Portuguese, the Spaniards out, here Timbuktu! But only for development and come Alawites, descendants of Ali. They provide a great man. Moulay Ismail will reign sixty years on Morocco (1672-1727). He completed the household undertaken by his predecessors, created an administration and a professional army, strengthen the track of gold to Senegal and tu Louis XIV. In the nineteenth century, Morocco supports Abd-el-Kader against France. Wit, miscalculation: France and Spain impose unequal treaties without firing a shot too. At the first Berber revolt is calling on France and installing the protectorate (1912). Settlement began in style with Lyautey (road construction, city planning, development campaigns and some intelligence domination). His successors are smaller. France is struggling. World War II gave him a role in sham. She loses the hand. Meanwhile, the national idea is gaining ground in Morocco. The United States are in favor of independence. That of Morocco is recognized in 1956. The Sultan Mohamed V drafts a constitution that brings the country into the modern era. This is Hassan II who is responsible for the staging, with mixed results, but the Kingdom is playing its part in the concert of nations. Mohammed VI ascended the throne in 1999. He liberalize political life and is interested in social problems. A bit like Juan Carlos in Spain, he asked, on his accession, strong political action, and slightly indented. With the same result: the popularity of the king is immense.
Policy
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy. Parliament is bicameral: a room of 325 members, elected every five years by universal suffrage, and a room of 270 councilors elected indirectly by local authorities, professional organizations and trade unions, renewed by thirds every nine years .
Celebrity
Apart from the king and various sultans may be mentioned the two great writers such as Tahar Ben Jelloun (born in 1944) and Driss Chraibi (1926-2007). They are the visible part of a very rich cultural life. also add the great athlete Hicham El Guerrouj (born in 1974), middle-distance runner, double Olympic champion, four-time world champion, world record holder several times (1500 m, 2000 m, Mile). And note that all Moroccans listen to the songs of Nass El Ghiwane, a group born in Casablanca in the 70; these musicians use traditional instruments and draw on the Moroccan and Arab-Andalusian tradition, but their lyrics poetically reflect contemporary concerns of their contemporaries … One can not help d’évoquer few Westerners Marshal Lyautey (1854-1934) who laid the foundations of modern Morocco and the painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) who did so much to know Marrakech.
Good manners
Tipping is at your discretion. For all those involved within the services purchased through us, you have the assurance that it will never replace the salary. Nevertheless, it is in use: in almost all countries in the world to tip when we were satisfied with the service. For drivers, we recommend at least the equivalent of 2 or 3 euros per day per person. We recommend you double for the guides. Generally, it is best to align your tip on the local economy: the price of a soda or of a tea, a pack of cigarettes, you will outline the standard of living and allow you, as you do naturally you, to estimate the amount. 2 euros per person for holders and 5% of the total bill for the restaurant service are the norm. To use cue points, you can also note the following figures: an English speaking guide can earn 350 dirhams (32 euros) per working day; a guide “natural areas” also; a driver 2000 dirhams (180 euros) per month. If this happens, be avoided, however, encourage begging, especially children. If one wants to help by providing, for example, school material, it is preferable to put these supplies to the teacher of the village or neighborhood, that will to benefit the poor. Morocco is a Muslim country and imposes, as such, respect for some special rules of etiquette – in general, we take off our shoes before entering a room; This is imperative when viewed filed shoes near the door; – Women, in particular, avoid provocative clothing; – We will always accept the mint tea, of hospitality gesture; – If we are invited to share a family meal, wait to start the householder had said “bismillah” ( “in the name of God”); you will taste all without feeling obliged to finish his plate; – We do not criticize the Moroccan organization, religion and the monarchy; – You never will photograph a person without asking permission; – Ramadan is practiced by all Moroccans (and thus by those you rub during your stay); during the month of fasting, Muslims are prohibited from drinking, eating and smoking from sunrise to sunset, the five daily prayers must be respected; travelers avoid drinking, eating or smoking in public during the day and accept the judgments and constraints related to the breaking of the fast. Also, be aware, that in Morocco, the access to most mosques and holy places is forbidden to non-Muslims. However, some exceptions will be noted as the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, Mausoleum Mohamed V in Rabat, the Mausoleum Moulay Ismail in Meknes or mausoleum Moulay Ali Cherif Rissani (however, only the patio and during these two sites can be visited by non-Muslims).
shopping
Morocco is a country in the beautiful craftsmanship and extraordinarily varied. Carpets to the silverware, leather worked in wood, will often difficult to choose. also remember that bargaining is a fundamental practice of the Moroccan trade, especially in the souks. Carpets: provided you take the time to select and negotiate for a wool rug is probably one of the best purchases you can do in Morocco. We distinguish urban carpet, especially those of Rabat, usually adorned of a central motif, the Kouba, rural carpets, decorated or plain, of different colors depending on their origin. Kilims are woven. Avoid: synthetic carpets, which have emerged in recent years, especially in the region of Ouarzazate. Articles made of copper and bronze: the most famous are the chiselled trays, engraved or hammered. Jewelry: mostly silver. The former Tuareg jewelry or collectibles, are extremely rare, but the Moroccan craftsmen realize beautiful copies (to be acquired at a price of copies). Other hand, we find in Morocco a lot of jewelry made in India, Indonesia and Niger. Minerals and fossils in this area too, caution is in order. For most, minerals and fossils proposed are fake. Leather: ancient Moroccan tradition – clothes, bags, cushions, slippers, sandals … These articles are often cheap (but ensure the quality of leather used). Wood: another ancient tradition, woodworking, whether d’ébénisterie or marquetry, is one of the great specialties of the Moroccan craftsmen. We admire their work in the souks of Marrakech and Essaouira. Pottery: that is Fez, Meknes, Safi and Marrakech that we find the best potters in Morocco. Masters in the art of copying, they will dazzle you with the beauty of their dishes (or Gothar mokfia), their jars (Khabia), their butter jars (gellouch) or their pitchers (ghorraf). Basketry: Berber baskets, baskets, bags of all sizes, baskets, under-the-flat, hats, Moroccan weavers know everything. You’ll also find an abundance medicinal plants, traditional beauty products, perfumes, spices … The East …
Drink
The mint tea, of course. Everywhere drank constantly proposed, it is up to the Moroccan tradition. If you want a beer, look for a bar: they serve alcohol, which do not make the coffee (or some hotels or pensions …).
cooking
The tagine is nothing else than the flat in which cooked stew, which took its name. A meat (lamb, chicken) and all vegetables that d’ajouter please the cook, the lemon confit with eggplant and almond prune. More spices, carefully measured. In fact, a tagine is never the same twice. Another classic, couscous, we eat salty or sweet and sour. It is good when the meal is good. Pastillas are a festive dish; Phyllo brick stuffed pigeon, chicken, fish or vermicelli. Moroccans particularly appreciate the harira, or chickpea soup, and Bissara soup beans. To this base pulses are added spices, condiments and meat, which make these soups to full meals. As many vegetables as salad: cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beets, the range is put to use. Finally, for those who still have a little hungry, the pastries are generally based sweet almond and honey.
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