Morocco is located in the north-western region of North Africa. It has an extensive Atlantic Ocean coastline, and some coastline that extends beyond the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, Morocco borders Algeria and to the north, Spain in the North African Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The border with the Western Sahara to the south of Morocco is disputed, with Morocco claiming ownership of the Western Sahara and administering most of the territory since 1975. Morocco's Arabic name (al-Mamlaka al-Magrebiyya) means 'The Western Kingdom'. The name Morocco in many other languages including English originates from the name of the former capital, Marrakech, a name deriving from a Berber expression meaning 'Land of God'. In Roman times Morocco was known as Mauretania, not be confused with the modern country of Mauritania to Morocco's south.
Morocco has been inhabited since around 8000 BC, when the country was less arid than it is today. The Berber language arrived in Morocco at around the same time as agriculture, and was adopted by the existing population as well as the immigrants that introduced it. The Berbers, Morocco's indigenous non-Arab people, are also known as the Amazigh.
Morocco was drawn into the wider Mediterranean world by Phoenician traders in Classical times. As Mauretania Tingitana, Morocco was a strategic region of the Roman Empire. As the Roman Empire declined, Morocco fell in succession to the Vandals, Visigoths, and Byzantine Greeks. The high mountains of most of modern Morocco, however, remained largely independent of these coastal comings and goings, and stayed firmly in the hands of the Berbers.
Morocco became part of the expanding Arabic-speaking world in the 7th century, adopting the religion and many of the customs of Islam, to which most Berber converted. As an Islamic country Morocco became a world centre of learning and a major regional power, reaching the height of its power and influence under a series of Berber dynasties. Under the Almoravids, and then the Almohads, Morocco came to rule most of Northwest Africa, as well as large sections Al-Andalous (Moorish Spain).
Morocco's capital city is Rabat on the Atlantic coast, and its largest city is the main port of Casablanca. Other major cities include Agadir, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Mohammadia, Oujda, Ouarzazat, Safi, Salè, Tangier, Tiznit and Tan-Tan. Morocco is divided into the following 16 regions:
Morocco is bordered by Algeria to the east and southeast, although the border between the two countries has been closed since 1994. There are also four Spanish enclaves on the Mediterranean coast: Ceuta, Melilla, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and Peñón de Alhucemas, as well as several islands including Perejil and Chafarinas. Off the Atlantic coast the Canary Islands belong to Spain, whereas Madeira to the north is Portuguese. To the north, Morocco is bordered by and controls part of the Strait of Gibraltar, giving it power over the waterways in and out of the Mediterranean sea.
Morocco's climate is Mediterranean in coastal regions, becoming hotter and more arid beyond the mountainous interior. The coastal plains are rich and agriculturally productive. The Rif mountains occupy the northern region of Morocco bordering the Mediterranean sea. The Atlas Mountains form the backbone of the country, running from the south west to the north east. Most of the south east of Morocco is in the Sahara Desert and is generally sparsely populated. Most of the population of Morocco lives to the north of the Atlas mountains.
The most popular travel destinations in Morocco include: