The country that I chose for my country profile is Morocco. Morocco is a country in northwest Africa that is similar in size to our own state of California, it happens to be just a little bit larger. It is surrounded on the north side by the Mediterranean Sea and to the west of it is the Atlantic Ocean. Directly to the east is a similar in culture and language country named Algeria. Morocco is about 172,413 sq. miles and it made up of plain fertile land and mountains. The form of government that this country has is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.
Morocco became independent from French rule in 1956 and Hassan II became the first king under a constitution. In more recent history of Morocco, the Arab Springs protests started in 2011 because the people wanted political reform and a new constitution that did not give the king as much power as he currently had. Morocco’s is ranked thirty-nine in a list of countries population. Morocco has about thirty-five million people residing in the country. Forty-nine percent are male and fifty-one percent are female.
Out of the thirty-five million, about forty-two percent are children. The fertility rate is at 544,401 people a year and the mortality rate is at about 146,914 people a year. The growth rate is at about 349,626 people a year. The negative growth rate in Morocco is at 47,862. Morocco has never had to curb their population due to the fact that their population doesn’t increase much in a year. AIDS/HIV is present in Morocco but it isn’t at a high rate compared to the other countries in the surrounding area. It is more common in the urban areas of the country.
Out of thirty-three million people in Morocco, it is estimated that about 100,000 people are living with AIDS/HIV, but only about 30,000 people are aware of it. The number of adults aged 15 and up that are living with HIV is about 29,000, the number of women aged 15 and up that have it is 11,000, and there is no data for any children that may have the virus. The amount of people that die due to AIDS/HIV a year is 1,200. The population of people that have AIDS/HIV is made up of female sex workers, men who have sex with men, drug users, and prisoners.
Morocco is also working with UNIAIDS to help the AIDS problem. It is focusing its resources on populations at high risk of HIV infection, i. e. FSW, men who have sex with men, prisoners, and drug users. Morocco is addressing many national partners in the AIDS response and their new strategy aims to split the upcoming HIV infections and reduce the deaths related to AIDS by 60% in the upcoming year. The strategy is based on the principles of a right to health, accountability and is made to include all the partners in the HIV response.
Morocco is also working with the Association Marocaine de Solidarite et Developpement (AMSED) to help people that at are at higher risk of HIV infection by providing them with direct services including prevention, testing and care and support. AMSED also provides HIV and sexual and reproductive health services which in 2014 reached over 43,000 people. Morocco also has a big part in scientific education and technological development. They have research institutions such as the Scientific Institute and the Scientific Institute of Maritime fishing.
These institutions conduct research in the different areas of natural sciences, oceanography and marine biology. In more recent years science and technology has developed greatly. Also a great amount of students are specializing in science subjects The Technoplolis project was launched in 2005 that is expected to create 20,000 jobs and include a science park, logistic park, clean technology, and a training campus. A lot of the tech development includes Marine transport, high-speed trains, advancement in the automotive industry, renewal energy, solar and wind sources.
In the use of wind energy Morocco has Tarfaya, which is the largest wind energy power plant in Africa using 150 wind turbines. When it comes to the environment Morocco is on board to making the world a better place. One of the more serious environmental issues that this country has come across is the management of its natural resources because they are limited and fragile. Morocco is paying close attention to the management of its water resources because they are below the water stress threshold.
Even though there are many new efforts to help the environment with new planting programs, there are many issues such as pollution, desertification, overgrazing and deforestation and they greatly threaten Morocco’s environment. Morocco was on of the first emerging countries that sanctioned the Kyoto Protocol back in 2003. The country developed a countrywide strategy plan that focused on the environment’s care. The plan includes 25 projects that incorporate renewable energy, lessening waste of energy, encouraging energy efficiency and decreasing GHG emissions over the next ten years.
Unfortunately, when it comes to developing renewable energy, Morocco comes across a huge challenge because it is completely dependent on the outside world for its resources and supplies and if something goes wrong somewhere else, it will affect Morocco greatly. Also, in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, Morocco has submitted it’s new climate action plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This plan is supposed to come into affect by 2020 and it is to stop global temperatures from going above a certain point and to transform the world to a clean and sustainable place.
Morocco is a country full of such vibrant culture and a mix of different taste. Art in Morocco is made up of different carpets, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, carving, and calligraphy. I think that these different forms of art are really identifying to the country of Morocco and are full of a mix of Spanish, French, and Arab flavor. You can see these different forms of art displayed in art galleries and the famous “Souks” of Morocco. Souks are a mix of mini malls, street fairs, and flea markets. A lot of what Morocco has to offer you can find in a Souk.
Another great thing Morocco has to offer is the food. Their cuisines are made up of a mixture of Arab, Berber, Middle Eastern, Mourish, Iberian, Mediterranean, African, and Jewish influences. The spices paly a big role as well, they are cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, aniseed, pepper, coriander, sesame seeds, saffron, and mint. Cous Cous, Tagine, Bisteya, Kaab el Ghazal, and Shebakai are a few of Morocco’s famous dishes. In addition to great food and art, Morocco has many unique languages, different dialects of Arabic, Spanish, and French. Moroccan Arabic and standard Arabic are the official languages of Morocco.
About 40,000 people use Hassaniya also known as Moor in the southern Morocco. About 8,925 people use Judeo Moroccan more in the smaller areas. About 20,000 people speak Spanish; this comes from the influence of Spain being north of Morocco. About 7 to 8 million people speak Tachelhit, Central Atlas Tamazight, and Tarifit. This is influenced greatly by the Berbers. Lastly, religion in Morocco is made up of 98% (Sunni) Islam and about 4,000 Jewish and 1,000 Christians. Amongst other issues, Morocco has had some recent conflict with their next-door neighbor Algeria, over the ownership of the Western Sahara.
Currently it is definitely a part of Morocco and according to the prime minister, “Morocco has fortified itself and no one can remove it from the Sahara, so I do not think that anyone can change that” () Morocco refuses to have a war over the land. They do have a plan to implement for the Sahara, the Autonomy plan. This plan allows the Sahrawis (people of the Western Sahara) under the Moroccan sovereignty, they may raise taxes in order to deal with their regional issues, have their own parliament, and their own president of the autonomy.
The UN and the United States both agree that this is the best solution for the Sahara. According to the global peace index of 2014, Morocco is the most peaceful country in North Africa, and seventh in the ranking of the Middle Eastern countries. It has jumped six rankings from the previous year due to its low level of crime and its impact on society and economy, and a low risk of internal or external conflict. According to The World Bank the GDP per capita in Morocco was last recorded at 3237. 83 US dollars. The GDP in Morocco is equal to 26% of the world’s average.
The per-capita income growth in Morocco has helped significantly lower the poverty. Even though poverty has lowered from 8. 9% to 4. 2%, about 19% of the population still lives in poverty. According to the Bank al-Maghrib, Morocco’s debt is at 63. 89% of the GDP and it has been averaged at about 64. 37%. the highest it has been id 117. 71% in 1985 and lowest was 21. 66% in 1965. According to the Office des Changes exports in Morocco increased to 16,462 MAD Million in August from 15,454 MAD Million in July of 2016 and imports in Morocco increased to 33,391 MAD Million in August from 32,760 MAD Million in July of 2016.
In reference to all the information of this country, I believe that Morocco’s future looks extremely bright. When looking at the environment and everything that the country has been doing and everything it is willing to do, the prospects look like they will have a great effect on bringing the environment back to a stable state and also influencing other countries to do the same. Morocco also has a large variation of culture and customs that are very intriguing to the world. They offer many foods and art based items for the world to try and continue to contribute to the diversity of the world.
Morocco is also becoming a very big tourism area with many resorts and exploration. In regards to the population, I do not think that this country is growing at a dangerous rate and I believe that the death and birth rates seem to balance out, therefore keeping the population at bay. The conflicts that Morocco has aren’t severe and Morocco is one of the most peaceful countries to exist. I only see positivity with minor setbacks for this country, but nothing that it cannot work through and conquer.
