The flag of Morocco, unusually for an Islamic state, there is no reference to the crescent moon. The flag instead features a green pentangle for the 5 pillars of Islam. The red background represents the blood of the ancestors and unity.
We are planning a twin centre trip, visiting Marrakesk, the erstwhile capital and Casablanca on the Atlantic coast. Morocco is a country in the Maghreb region of Northern Africa. The area has been populated for 300,000 years. The modern state of Morocco it is ruled by a constitutional monarchy with King Muhammad Vl on the throne. His dynasty has been controlling things since 1631. With a population of about 40 million, the Mosques are pretty full as over 99% of them subscribe to the Sunni branch of the Islamic religion.
Looking across the Djemaa El Fna square at night with the Koutoubia Mosque dominating the scene.
It has the 5th largest economy in Africa and ranks 120th in the world Human Development Index, my favourite comparative measure, as compiled by the United Nations.
Morocco also claims the disputed area of Western Sahara, a huge area consisting of over 250 thousand square kilometres.It is one of the world's forgotten territorial disputes which has been going on for 50 years.
There have been many attempts at colonisation over the years. The Otterman Empire tried but failed. The Portuguese controlled some harbours in during the C17 and C18. It was a French protectorate between 1912 and 1956 which has left a significant cultural impact. The Spanish also maintained a Protectorate in the northern coastal region around the Rif mountains. Indeed they still possess enclaves on the Mediterranean coast.
So what's Morocco like today? Read the next blog to find out more.
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