Geography and Location
Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country situated in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It occupies a strategic position with coastlines on both the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, giving it access to two major bodies of water and a long history of maritime trade and cultural exchange.
The country shares a land border with Algeria to the east. Along its northern coast, Morocco borders several Spanish exclaves, including Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, as well as a number of small Spanish-controlled islands. Morocco claims sovereignty over all of these territories, making them a point of ongoing political tension with Spain.
To the south lies Western Sahara, a disputed territory that Morocco has partly occupied since 1975. Through this contested region, Morocco also claims to share a border with Mauritania, though this claim remains a subject of international dispute.
- Region: Maghreb, North Africa
- Coastlines: Mediterranean Sea (north) and Atlantic Ocean (west)
- Bordering country: Algeria (east)
- Neighboring territories: Spanish exclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera
- Disputed territory: Western Sahara (south)
Population and Major Cities
Morocco has a population of approximately 37 million people. The country's political capital is Rabat, a city located on the Atlantic coast, while its largest and most populous city is Casablanca, which serves as the nation's primary economic and commercial hub.
- Population: approximately 37 million
- Capital city: Rabat
- Largest city: Casablanca
A Land Shaped by Its Borders and Disputes
Morocco's geography and political landscape are deeply influenced by its complex borders. The presence of Spanish-controlled enclaves along its northern coastline and the unresolved status of Western Sahara to the south continue to shape its regional relationships, particularly with Spain, Algeria, and Mauritania. These territorial dynamics remain an important part of understanding the modern Kingdom of Morocco and its place within North Africa and the broader Mediterranean world.