Change - Borders, Politics, National Identity

The political and national boundaries of Morocco have changed over time. Morocco has a rich history that can trace inhabitants in its lands back thousands of years. Civilizations and cultures flourished in Morocco long before the establishment of modern nation states with strictly defined international borders. Pictured below is a map detailing Morocco's borders in modern times.

The next map represents the concentration of ethnic and language dialects within modern Morocco.

During the height of the Roman Empire its presence was felt in what is present day Morocco. Remains of the ancient Roman city of Volubulis can still be seen today.

After the fall of the Roman Empire there was a period of Islamic conquest. Arab armies pushed 

west through North Africa into Morocco. 

During the Middle Ages there were a couple of different Islamic Dynasties in Morocco. Both of these dynasties were led by Berber people from Morocco. The Almohads were a Berber people that came from a tribe in the Atlas Mountains.

During the European scramble for Africa, Morocco was claimed by Spain and France. Spain already held some territory dating back to the 15th century. 

The map below illustrates Spanish territory while Morocco was a protectorate of France from 1912 to 1956. France and Spain signed a treaty in 1912 agreeing to divide territory peacefully.

Morocco was a French Protectorate from 1912 to 1956. Morocco has been an independent nation since that time. There were many rebellions and acts of violence during the Protectorate period but French troops were able to defeat each rebellion.

To the south of Morocco is an area of international dispute. Western Sahara was a Spanish Colony named Spanish Sahara prior to 1975. After the Spanish withdrew the Moroccans claimed it as their territory. However, the native people disagreed and fought a 16 year insurgency against Morocco. In 1991 there was a UN truce put into place. Morocco controls the western part of Western Sahara. The eastern part is controlled by the political Polisario Front and called the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic.[1]

Morocco has an unique international border situation with Spain. The small cities of Ceuta and Melilla are about 250 miles apart from each other on Morocco's Mediterranean Sea coastline. Each city has a little over 70,000 citizens. Spain has maintained control over these areas for about 500 years. It is a source of controversy between the two governments. Since 1995 the two cities have enjoyed autonomy from Spain. Both cities are flashpoints in the refugees and migrants situation going on between Africa and Europe.[2]

1 "Africa". Last modified 2017. Accessed December 15, 2017. http://www.bbc.com/new/world-africa-14114627.

2 "Africa". Last modified 2017. Accessed December 15, 2017. http://www.bbc.com/new/world-africa-14115273.