 THE
PEOPLE
In 1995,
the population was about 28,481,000 inhabitants. Morocco is a young country
since 60% of the population is under 20 years of age. It is also a rural
country since 61% of the population lives in rural areas.
THE
LANGUAGE, Arabic is the national language. The 3 Berber dialects
are used in the mountainous regions and in the Souss. French is widespread,
whereas Spanish is used only in the northern areas of Morocco. English
is spoken in touristic locations.
THE
BERBERS, the first inhabitants to be known in Morocco were
the Berbers. They are the most numerous and fall into 3 main groups :
- The
Masmouda
(west of the Rif and Grand and Middle Atlas)
- The
Sanhaja
(grand central Atlas and Tafilalet, southern Middle
Atlas and Mediterranean Rif)
- The
Zenata
(eastern Morocco, region of Taza and Meknes).
THE
ARABS, they came to Morocco only toward the end of the 7th
century with the advent of Islam. In the 12th century their numbers increased
in different areas.
THE
SOUKS, the souk is one of the most characterising
aspects of rural life.
It's a place
and a means of traditional trade. Since the Moroccan
population is essentially rural, each tribe has a certain number of souks
that are generally held in the open or inside a special enclosing wall.
These souks usually carry the name of the day they are held on.
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