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Morocco NEWS MEDIA
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Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North
Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco.
In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under
Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and
inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern
Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among
European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode;
in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A
protracted independence struggle with France ended
successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier
and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new
country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western
Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the
status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political
reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a
bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Lower house
elections were last held in September 2002, while upper house
elections were last held in September 2006.
Borders: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3
km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
Population: 30,168,080
GDP per capita: $1,711.11 per capita
Capital with population: Rabat - 1,220,000
Largest city with population: Casablanca - 2,950,000
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