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Project Guidelines. Due Date Thursday 26th October. Format: PowerPoint, booklet or poster.

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Project Guidelines. Due Date Thursday 26th October. Format: PowerPoint, booklet or poster.

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Choose any Country in the World
1. Map the Area
2. Interesting Facts about the country. E.g. famous people, language, currency, sports.
3. Famous buildings/places to visit.
4.  Places of Geographical importance e.g. rivers, mountains.
5. Historical facts about the Area.

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France has ample land area to provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. More than 25 percent of its territory is covered with forest, and another 50 percent is countryside or farmland.

Lowland forests are home to deer and wild boar, while the woodlands of the Alps and Pyrenees provide refuge for rare chamois antelope, ibex, brown bears, and alpine hares, among many other species. The Mediterranean coastline is a stopover of millions of migrating African birds, including flamingos, vultures, egrets, and bee-eaters.

The French government has made a broad commitment to preserving open spaces and the wildlife they contain. About 10 percent of the country has been set aside as national or regional parklands and nature reserves.

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France Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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France, the largest country in Western Europe, has long been a gateway between the continent's northern and southern regions.

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The dance called tango is thought to have started in Argentina.

OFFICIAL NAME: Argentine Republic

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITAL: Buenos Aires

POPULATION: 44,694,198

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish

MONEY: Argentine peso

AREA: 1,073,364 square miles (2,780,400 square kilometers)

Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America. The eighth largest country in the world, it is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and it's about one-third the size of the United States. Argentina is bordered by the Andes Mountains and Chile to the west.

To the east of the Andes, the interior of the country is flat, fertile grassland called the Pampas. The eastern border of the country is the Atlantic Ocean. Bolivia is to the northwest and Paraguay is to the north. The high mountain spine of the Andes, called the Andes Cordillera, creates a natural 3,195-mile (5,141.9-kilometer) border with Chile.

The country is divided into four regions: The Andes, the North, the Pampas, and Patagonia. The Pampas is the agricultural heartland.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Unlike Mexico and South American countries such as Peru and Ecuador, Argentina has fewer native people and a large population, which came from Europe. The population is comprised as much as 95% of people of European descent, mostly from Italy, Spain, and Germany. Much of the native population died from diseases brought in by Europeans.

Nearly half of the population lives in the area around Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires has been called the "Paris of South America," because of the European influences.

The people are well-educated and 97% of the population can read and write.

Soccer is the favorite sport in Argentina.

Gauchos, like American cowboys, have been a symbol of the open plains of the Pampas region.

Argentina is rich in animal species. The coast of Patagonia is home to elephant seals, fur seals, penguins, and sea lions. The waters off the Atlantic are home to sharks, orcas, dolphins, and salmon.

In the north, there are many large cat species such as the cougar, jaguar, and the ocelot. There are also crocodiles and caiman. Flamingos, toucans, turtles, and tortoises also live in the subtropical north.

Patagonia is a sparsely populated area rich in natural resources and wildlife, including herons, condors, pumas, tortoises, and guanacos.

The highest mountain in the Andes range is the Cerro Aconcagua, which peaks at 22,384 feet (6,960 meters). Northeast Argentina features rain forests and Iguazù Falls. These spectacular falls, on Argentina's border with Brazil, descend along a 1.6-mile (2.7-kilometer) front in a horseshoe shape.

As the country develops it is being affected by deforestation and pollution.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

The country is a federal republic. There have been several democratically elected presidents after many years of political turmoil.

The National Congress is made of the Senate with 72 seats and the Chamber of Deputies with a total of 257 seats. There are seven judges in the Supreme Court, but that number will be reduced to five over the next few years. The president picks the judges and the senate must approve their appointments.

Sheep herding, oil, mining, agriculture, and tourism make up Patagonia's economy.

The Spanish arrived in 1516 and ruled the country for 300 years. In 1806, a British force overpowered Spanish military in Buenos Aires and attacked the Malvinas Islands, also called the Falkland Islands. Local residents recaptured the capital, but never regained control of the islands. These events led to the loosening of Spain's grip on Argentina.

In 1810, Napoleon's forces conquered all major Spanish cities in Spain and the Argentine people were empowered to take control of their country. They gained independence in 1816.

In 1946, Juan Perón became president due to his popularity with the working class. His wife, Eva, known as Evita, formed a foundation and gave out cash and benefits to the poor. When she died of cancer in 1952, the people were very sad. She was a symbol of hope to all the poor in Argentina. Juan Perón was forced out of office after he tried to increase his powers. Even after he left office, his followers continued to fight for political power.

After many violent years and near civil war, Perón was re-elected president and his new wife, Isabel, became vice president. He died suddenly and Isabel became president and soon the country's economy fell apart.

The military took control of the country in 1976, and a period of violence called the "dirty war" ensued, during which as many as 20,000-30,000 revolutionaries or sympathizers were killed.

In 1982, the president of Argentina, General Leopoldo Galtieri invaded the Falkland Islands off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean thinking the British wouldn't put up a fight. Galtieri miscalculated and British forces won an easy victory. After the defeat, the country moved toward democracy and civilian rule.

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Argentina Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Argentina is a vast country located in the southern part of South America.

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Belgium Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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One of the smallest countries in Europe, Belgium is bordered by France, Luxembourgh, the Netherlands, and Germany.

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OFFICIAL NAME: Federal Republic of Brazil

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Democratic federal republic

CAPITAL: Brasilia

POPULATION: 208,846,892

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Portuguese

MONEY: Real

AREA: 3,286,470 square miles (8,511,965 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Serra do Mar, Serra do Espinhaço

MAJOR RIVERS: Amazon, São Francisco, Paraná, Tocantins

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world. It forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 4,500-mile (7,400-kilometer) coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. It has borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

The Brazilian landscape is very varied. It is most well known for its dense forests, including the Amazon, the world's largest jungle, in the north. But there are also dry grasslands (called pampas), rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus, and a long coastal plain.

Northern Brazil is dominated by the Amazon River and the jungles that surround it. The Amazon is not one river but a network of many hundreds of waterways. Its total length stretches 4,250 miles (6,840 kilometers). Thousands of species live in the river, including the infamous piranha and the boto, or pink river dolphin.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Most Brazilians are descended from three ethnic groups: Amerindians, European settlers (mainly from Portugal), and Africans. Starting in the 19th century, waves of immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and even Japan added to this mix. This diversity of cultures has created a rich religious, musical, and culinary culture.

Brazilians are soccer crazy, and their country has produced some of the best players. The most famous of all is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé. Brazil has won the World Cup soccer finals five times, more than any other nation.

Brazil has the greatest variety of animals of any country in the world. It is home to 600 mammal species, 1,500 fish species, 1,600 bird species, and an amazing 100,000 different types of insects. Brazil's jungles are home to most of its animal life, but many unique species also live in the pampas and semidesert regions.

In the central-western part of Brazil sits a flat, swampy area called the Pantanal. This patchwork of flooded lagoons and small islands is the world's largest wetland. Here live giant anacondas, huge guinea pig relatives called capybaras, and fierce South American alligators called caimans.

For thousands of years, people have been exploiting the jungles of Brazil. But since Europeans arrived about five centuries ago, forest destruction has been rampant. Most of Brazil's Atlantic rain forest is now gone, and huge tracts of the Amazon are disappearing every year. The government has established many national parks and refuges, but they only cover about 7 percent of the country.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

Brazil is a federal republic with a president, a National Congress, and a judiciary. From 1888 until recently, the country struggled with democracy. But in 1985, the military government was peacefully removed, and by 1995, Brazil's politics and economy had become fairly stable.

Brazil has many different soils and climates, so it can produce a great variety of crops. Its agricultural exports include sugarcane, latex, coffee, cocoa beans, cotton, soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits.

Brazil is also South America's most industrial nation, producing chemicals, steel, aircraft, and cars.

Until recently, scientists thought Brazil was first settled by Asians about 10,000 years ago. But new evidence shows there were people living there at least 32,000 years ago. Some experts think they may have arrived from islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Brazil was added to the map of the world during the great European explorations in the late 15th century led by Portugal and Spain. When Europeans first reached the coast of Brazil, the country was home to about 30 million indigenous people, or Amerindians. Today, only about 300,000 remain, living primarily in Brazil's remotest places.

Portugal established its first colony in Brazil in 1530. Colonists created sugarcane plantations along the coast and sent diamonds and gold back to Europe. Soon, people from West Africa were brought to Brazil to work as slaves. The discovery of large inland gold reserves brought thousands of people from the coasts and as far away as Europe to the interior of the country.

In 1789, Brazilians tried to kick out their Portuguese rulers. The rebellion was soon put down, but it started a movement toward independence. By 1822, Brazil was a sovereign nation. Kings of Portuguese blood ruled until 1888, when military leaders and landowners expelled the king, and Brazil became a federal republic.

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Brazil Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world.

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The seaside town of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea, located off Croatia's Dalmatian coast

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Croatia

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary Democracy

CAPITAL: Zagreb

POPULATION: 4,270,480

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Croatian

MONEY: Kuna

AREA: 21,621 square miles (56,594 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Dinaric Alps, Biokovo

MAJOR RIVERS: Drava, Danube

Located in southeast Europe, Croatia is geographically diverse. The crescent-shaped country features low mountains and highlands near the Adriatic coastline, flat plains that hug the Hungarian border, and a multitude of islands.

In mountainous regions, winters are cold and snowy and the summers are mild. The country's coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild winters. Over a thousand islands are found off this coastline. Many are major tourist areas including the Dalmatian coast.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Several different ethnic groups can be found in the republic. Croats are by far the largest ethnic group in Croatia. Serbs make up the largest minority group; however, their numbers fell after the 1990s war of independence-from more than one-tenth of the population before the war to less than half that many in 2001.

In addition to the Croats and the Serbs, there are small groups of Bosnian Muslims, Hungarians, Italians, and Slovenes, as well as a few thousand Albanians, Austrians, Bulgarians, Czechs, Germans, and other nationalities.

Croatia's varied geographic regions-plains, mountain forests, and coastline-are reflected in its varied animal life.

Rabbits, foxes, boars, wildcats, and wild sheep are found in the plains areas, while wolves and even bears can be found in the inland forests. Sea life in the Adriatic is rich as well, with many coral reefs and underwater caves serving as habitats.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

The Croatian president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term and is head of state. The prime minister is head of government. The president appoints the prime minister, who must also be approved by parliament. Croatia's parliament consists of a 151-seat House of Representatives.

The 1991-95 civil war between Croats and Serbs caused massive damage to cities and industries. War halted the tourist trade and drastically cut industrial output, including a lucrative ship-building business. Since the war, Croatia has progressed politically and economically. In July of 2013 it was accepted into the European Union though it still retains its own currency, the Kuna.

The first Croats settled in the area that is today called Croatia around A.D. 500. They ruled themselves for many years, but decided to become part of the Hungarian Empire in 1091. When the Ottoman Empire began to expand in the 15th century, they became concerned they would be taken over by the Ottomans, so they asked Archduke Ferdinand if they could join the Austrian Habsburg Empire.

In 1868 Croatia again went under the rule of Hungary. This lasted until World War II when it became part of Yugoslavia. The war brought terrible hardships on the country under German and Italian rule. When it ended, the Communist Party took control over the country of Yugoslavia.

In the early 1990s, communism collapsed throughout Eastern Europe. Yugoslavia became a place of much turmoil as different ethnic groups began to fight for power and independence. Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia and civil war erupted. War raged for many years between the Croatians and the Serbians. In December 1995, the Dayton Agreement was signed, bringing peace to the area at last.

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Croatia Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Located in southeast Europe, Croatia is geographically diverse.

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Night falls over ancient ruins in Greece.

OFFICIAL NAME: Hellenic Republic

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary republic

CAPITAL: Athens

POPULATION: 10,761,523

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Greek

MONEY: Euro

AREA: 50,942 square miles (131,940 square kilometers)

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Greek

Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and is the southernmost country in Europe. The mainland has rugged mountains, forests, and lakes, but the country is well known for the thousands of islands dotting the blue Aegean Sea to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Ionian Sea to the west.

The country is divided into three geographical regions: the mainland, the islands, and Peloponnese, the peninsula south of the mainland.

The Pindus mountain range on the mainland contains one of the world's deepest gorges, Vikos Gorge, which plunges 3,600 feet (1,100 meters). Mount Olympus is Greece's highest mountain at 9,570 feet (2,917 meters) above sea level. Ancient Greeks believed it was the home of the gods. Mount Olympus became the first national park in Greece.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Family life is a very important part of life in Greece. Children often live with their parents even after they get married. Greeks live long lives and it is thought that their varied diet of olives, olive oil, lamb, fish, squid, chickpeas, and lots of fruits and vegetables keep them healthy.

Nearly two-thirds of the people live in large cities. Athens is the largest city, with over 3.7 million people crowding the metropolis. Nefos, the Greek term for smog, is a big problem in Athens. The Parthenon, the temple to goddess Athena atop the Acropolis, is deteriorating due to pollution and acid rain.

Olive trees have been cultivated in Greece for over 6,000 years. Every village has its own olive groves.

Most of the country was forested at one time. Over the centuries, the forests were cut down for firewood, lumber, and to make room for farms. Today, forests can be found mainly in the Pindus and Rhodope ranges.

Greece has ten national parks and there is an effort to protect natural and historic landmarks. Marine parks help protect the habitats of two of Europe's most endangered sea creatures, the loggerhead turtle and monk seal. The long coastline and clear water make Greece an ideal location to spot sea stars, sea anemones, sponges, and seahorses hiding in the seaweed.

The Greek landscape is covered by maquis, a tangle of thorny shrubs that don't need a lot of water. These plants include fragrant herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, and bay and myrtle trees. Bird watching is popular in Greece where geese, ducks, and swallows stop over during their migration from Africa to Europe.

GOVERNMENT

Greece abolished their monarchy in 1975 and became a parliamentary republic. Under the new constitution, there is a president and a prime minister. The prime minister has the most power, and is the leader of the party that has the most seats in the parliament. The president selects cabinet ministers who run government departments.

The parliament, called the Vouli, has only one house with 300 members who are elected every four years. Greece became part of the European Union in 1981.

The first great civilization in Greece was the Minoan culture on the island of Crete around 2000 B.C. Wall paintings found at the ruins of the palace Knossos show people doing backflips over a charging bull. The Minoans were conquered by the Myceneans from the mainland in 1450 B.C.

During ancient times the country was divided into city-states, which were ruled by noblemen. The largest were Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Corinth. Each state controlled the territory around a single city. They were often at war with each other.

Athens became the most powerful, and in 508 B.C., the people instituted a new system of rule by the people called democracy. But during that time, only men could vote!

The first Olympic Games were held in the southern city of Olympia in 700 B.C. to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. Only men could compete in the events such as sprinting, long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling, and chariot racing. The games were banned by the Romans in A.D. 393, but began again in Athens in 1896.

Greece was ruled by foreigners for over 2,000 years beginning with the Romans conquering the Greeks in the 2nd century. Then, after almost 400 years under Turkish rule, Greece won independence in 1832.

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Greece Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and is the southernmost country in Europe.

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The Taj Mahal, an Indian landmark, was completed in 1653.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of India, Bharat

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal republic

CAPITAL: New Delhi

POPULATION: 1,296,834,042

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Hindi, English, 21 others

MONEY: Rupee

AREA: 1,269,345 square miles (3,287,590 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Ganges, Yamuna, Indus, Brahmaputra

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. The world's highest mountain range, the Himalaya, rises in the north. The southeast is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

India's terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. This formation was created from soil that was deposited by rivers running from the Himalaya. In some places, this layer of silt is over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) deep.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Society throughout India is divided into social ranks, called castes. Caste is determined by birth and there is almost no way to change it. High castes include priests, landowners, and soldiers. So-called Untouchables have no caste and do the most menial jobs.

India is a very spiritual country. It has no official religion, but more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu. About 13 percent are Muslim. Other religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, which all began in India.

For thousands of years, since the Hindu religion first evolved, respect for animal life has been an important part of Indians' beliefs. Cows in particular are sacred and cannot be harmed. They are even allowed to wander through city streets, which often causes traffic jams!

India's varied climate zones support about 65,000 animal species, including elephants, pythons, river dolphins, and rhinos, and 12,000 types of flowering plants. It is the only country in the world with both lions and tigers. It's also a bird watcher's paradise.

On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same rivers as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles. This unique landscape is constantly under threat as sea levels rise and humans hunt illegally and clear trees for firewood.

The Himalaya mountains provide a home for some of India's rarest animals and plants. The most elusive animal is the snow leopard. Bears and black buck live lower down, and in the northeast, the tiger and one-horned rhinoceros can be found.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

India's parliamentary government was inherited from the British. After independence in 1947, one party, the Congress Party, and one family, the Nehru family, dominated politics in India for decades. Now, however, many parties compete for elected positions.

India's economy is growing so fast that experts predict it will soon become one of the world's leading markets. Indians are hard workers. And though many are poorly educated, there are many others who are highly trained college graduates.

India's earliest known civilization arose about 5,000 years ago on the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of two huge cities with brick houses, piped water, and sewer systems. Nobody knows why, but these cities, called Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, were abandoned in 1700 B.C.

The Aryan people were farmers from Central Asia who arrived in India around 1500 B.C. They spoke Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest known languages. The Vedic Scriptures, writings that form the basis of the Hindu religion, were written during the Aryan reign.

In the 200-year reign of the Gupta Empire, starting in the fourth century A.D., arts, crafts, and sciences flourished. During this time, the Indian astronomer Aryabhatta determined that the Earth revolved around the sun. This was long before the Western world accepted the theory.

Beginning in the 16th century, following a series of invasions by Muslim forces, a Mongol leader named Babur founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongols oversaw a golden age of art, literature, and architecture in India between 1527 and 1707. They built roads, mosques, gardens, and enormous tombs, including the grand Taj Mahal.

In the late 1400s, Europeans arrived in India and began setting up trading companies. In 1757, Britain gained control over most of the country. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856. In 1920, the famous Mahatma Gandhi began nonviolent protests to push the British out. In 1947, India had independence.

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India Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.

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PEOPLE & CULTURE

Mexico is the product of a rich Native American heritage, three centuries of Spanish rule, and a shared border with the world's richest country, the United States. Today, many Mexicans are mestizos, which means they have a mix of Native American and Spanish blood.

Throughout its history, Mexico has been home to great artists. The Maya and other Native Americans made impressive murals, sculptures, and jewelry. Modern Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors, and muralists.

Mexicans take sports seriously. In ancient times, losers of a ritual ball game were once put to death. In some dangerous sports, like bullfighting and rodeo (which was invented in Mexico), competitors still put their lives on the line.

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Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rain forests in the south and east.

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Turkey is a large peninsula that bridges the continents of Europe and Asia.

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Madagascar is an island country located off the southeastern coast of Africa. The island is the fourth largest in the world. Only Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo are...

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Here are some interesting Morocco facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: 38 million people (2022)

Capital: Rabat with 1.8 million inhabitants

Name: Kingdom of Morocco

Government: Parliamentary Monarchy

Language: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official languages, while French is often spoken

Religion: Muslim 99% (Sunni)

Currency: 1 Moroccan Dirham = 100 Centimes

National Day: 30 July (Throne Day remembers the ascension of King Mohammed VI)

National Animal: lion, pentacle (five pointed star which is also known as Solomon's seal)

National Colours: red and green

The Cherifian Anthem - National Anthem: listen here

Chief of State: King Mohammed VI (since 1999)

History: Morocco gained independence from France in 1956.

Morocco Facts | Morocco Map

Morocco is located on the African continent. The North African country borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Morocco borders three countries: Algeria and Spain via the two Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla as well as Western Sahara.

On the map you can see the neighbouring countries and the location of the country's capital city Rabat.

Spain lies across the Straits of Gibraltar to the North of the country.

Please see further info about Western Sahara and this map under Page Resources below.

A flight to Morocco takes about 4-hours flight from the UK and it takes about 15-hours to fly from New York/USA.

Morocco Geography

Morocco is slightly bigger than California/USA or a bit smaller than twice the size of the UK.

The fertile coastal regions are bordered by the high Rif mountains in the North and the Atlas mountains that are separating the western coastal region from the Sahara desert.

Morocco's highest point is Jebel Toupkal, with 4 165 m or 13 664 ft. This is also the highest mountain in Northern Africa.

Morocco's longest river is the Dra with 1 100 km/683 miles in length.

The largest city in Morocco is Casablanca with 3.5 million inhabitants.

The lowlands have mild coastal climate while the interior experiences a harsh desert climate.

Morocco Facts:
Tourist Attractions in Morocco

Marrakech: This vibrant Moroccan city is Africa's "Capital of Culture" in 2020. Also known as the 'Red City', Marrakech has plenty of souks (markets), old walls and gates and gardens as well as market squares. The Jamaa el-Fnaa is said to be Africa's largest market square.

Rabat: Morocco's capital is a quirky seaside city with many modern buildings as well as French colonial buildings. Here you will also find the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas which was built in the 11th century.

Casablanca's most famous building and the best known landmark of Morocco is the Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest mosque in Africa (after the Djama El Djazair mosque in Algiers was finished in 2019) and one of the ten largest mosques in the world.

Fez: Formerly the country's capital, this city is known for its huge ancient medina, medieval streets and numerous leather tanning factories. A medina is the walled-in city centre which includes markets, shops, eateries and housing.

Chefchaouen is known as the 'Blue City' and has a lovely relaxed feel with blue and whitewashed houses and the Atlas mountains as a backdrop.

Sahara desert dunes: A desert safari is a great way to experience the impressive sand dunes and marvel at the clear starry skies at night.

Mountain trekking in the Rif Mountains or the High Atlas Mountains is another great way to come in contact with locals.

Morocco Economy | Morocco Facts

The economy in Morocco is mainly driven by agriculture, mining, the tourism and textiles industries.

Mining plays an important role in Morocco. The main resources are phosphates, iron ore and zinc.

Argan oil is a plant oil that is extracted from the seeds of the Argan tree that grow abundantly in Morocco. Argan oil is used as a beauty oil in skincare and haircare and is also used in food.

The main trading partners of Morocco are Spain and France.

The major cities in Morocco are Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Tangiers and Marrakech.

Moroccan People

Two out of three Moroccans live in urban areas, such as the capital city or in larger towns. The eastern parts of the country are only very sparsely populated.

In rural areas, many people are poor, unemployed and some older people are illiterate. Literacy rates constantly improved vastly over the last decade and today, about 75% of the adult population can read and write properly.

Children go to primary school for six years, then they move on to middle school and high school. Nine years of basic education for children from 6 - 15 years are free and compulsory. Drop out rates from middle and high school are still high, especially in rural areas.

The most popular sports in Morocco are soccer (football) and athletics.

Languages in Morocco
Morocco Facts

Moroccan Arabic is the main working language in Morocco, the official languages are Arabic and Berber.

Tamazight, Tarifit and Tashehit are the most widely used Berber languages. Standard Arabic and French is taught as first foreign language in schools.

The Arabic spoken in Morocco is a Moroccan Arabic that is slightly different to the Standard Arabic. However, French and Standard Arabic are spoken by many people in Morocco.

English can be understood and spoken mainly by young people who learn the language in school or privately.

Food in Morocco | Facts about Morocco

A wide variety of nuts and pulses such as lentils, split peas, fava beans or chickpeas are popularly used in many dishes as are lamb and chicken. Spices, dried fruits and flower buds that are used in many dishes can also be sourced at the local markets.

Olives, citrus fruits and mediterranean vegetables such as tomatoes, as well as honey and dates are heavily used in the Moroccan cuisine.

Here are some typical Moroccan food and dishes:

Couscous: wheat semolina is cooked and usually served with stews or tagines

Tagine: also called 'Tajine', is a kind of stew prepared with mixed meat, vegetables and spices that are combined and then cooked without stirring in special clay pot that is covered with a conical hat

Mechoui: roast lamb dish

Harira: soup made with vegetables, lentils or chickpeas

Mint tea: very popular sweet tea which is served almost anywhere and anytime

Read some great Moroccan food info here
Morocco Animals

The national animal of Morocco is the Barbary lion. These big lions once roamed the areas around the Atlas mountains but unfortunately they are now extinct in the wild. Only a small number of descendants of the Barbary lions still live in European zoos.

There is a wide variety of wildlife in Morocco. On the coast you can spot dolphins and sea birds as well as porpoises.

A very special sight in Morocco are also the goats climbing Argan trees! These cleverly climbing animals can be best spotted in the region around Essaouira and Agadir. There they try to nick the fruits and happily chomp away before the fruit's harvest season in early summer.

Morocco Facts | Resources
Sources for Morocco Facts page: Image Credits on Morocco Facts: photo stock from shutterstock and wikicommons, if not otherwise stated. Please note: The territory of Western Sahara, to the south of Morocco (see map) is a disputed territory and partly occupied and annexed by Morocco since 1979. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as Western Sahara is referred to as well is recognised by 45 countries as an independent country and by most countries is seen as an territory occupied by Morocco. This is considered illegal under international law and the UN is trying hard to find a solution. The USA recognised Western Sahara as part of Morocco in 2020 under President Trump, thus we do not use the map provided by the CIA World Fact Book.
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Morocco Facts for Kids | Morocco for Kids | Morocco Travel | Geography

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Here are some interesting Morocco facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.