Morocco

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa.

History

A historically prominent regional power, Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Prior to its official independence in 1956, the country was divided by its European colonial powers into a French and Spanish protectorate. This has largely influenced the European languages spoken in respective towns or cities. Morocco's distinct culture is a blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences.

Morocco claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco annexed the territory in 1975, leading to a guerrilla war with indigenous forces until a cease-fire in 1991. Peace processes have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.

Population and Geography

Morocco has a population of over 33 million and an area of 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi). Its muggle political capital is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities include Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. Casablanca is its magical political capital. There is some mild contention between the muggle and wizarding governments.

Morocco's predominant religion is Islam, while the official languages are Berber and Arabic. Moroccan Arabic, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken.

Geographically, Morocco is characterised by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It is one of only three countries (with Spain and France) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.

Morocco has a coast by the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Spain to the north (a water border through the Strait and land borders with three small Spanish-controlled exclaves, Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera), Algeria to the east, and Western Sahara to the south. Since Morocco controls most of Western Sahara, its de facto southern boundary is with Mauritania.

A large part of Morocco is mountainous. The Atlas Mountains are located mainly in the center and the south of the country. The Rif Mountains are located in the north of the country. Both ranges are mainly inhabited by the Berber people.

Magical Culture

A majority of the wizarding community in Morocco speak and use the Arabic, Berber and French languages in an officious capacity. It is not uncommon for civil workers to speak two or all three of these languages in a fluent capacity. There are many small towns in Northern Morocco where Spanish is the predominant tongue, making knowledge of it desirable. The most populous centres of magical society may be found in the cities Marrakech, Casablance and Rabat particularly. The communities are in excellent communication with one another - each one contains a sub-government that answers to the main headquarters in Casablanca.

The Ministry of Magic is run independently of the nation's royal kingdom, although Ministers of Magic are obliged to make an oath of loyalty to the King upon taking office.