Morocco

In brief

Morocco is a country in North Africa. Its capital is Rabat. With 38.4 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 41st in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 446,550 km². It shares land borders with Algeria and Spain.

GDP per capita stands at $4,672 (2025), 122nd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 75.5 years (2024). 63% of the population lives in cities.

History of Morocco

Land of Berber kingdoms and later the Roman province of Mauretania, Morocco embraced Islam from the 7th century. The Idrisid dynasty founded Fez in the late 8th century; the Almoravids and Almohads then built empires reaching into Spain. The Alaouite dynasty has reigned since the 17th century. Placed under French and Spanish protectorates in 1912, Morocco regained independence in 1956. Mohammed VI has been king since 1999. The country controls most of Western Sahara, which the UN regards as a non-self-governing territory.

Geography of Morocco

Morocco faces both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; the Strait of Gibraltar separates it from Spain by only 14 km. The Atlas ranges cross it, with Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa; the Sahara begins in the south-east.

Map of Morocco

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Flag of Morocco

The flag of Morocco is red. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Red97%
• Green3%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Red, with a green five-pointed star made of an interlaced ribbon in the centre, the Seal of Solomon. Red is the traditional colour of the dynasty; the star was added in 1915.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Morocco” and “Flag of Morocco”.

See also: flags with a star.

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Fact file

Economy and society