First Contacts - Europe and Asia

Because of Morocco’s unique geographical location along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, there has been a long history of contact between Morocco and Asia (Middle East).

The Phoenicians from modern day Lebanon first invaded Morocco during the 12^th century BC. [1]

Next the Carthaginians made Morocco part of its trade empire. [2]

After Rome successfully defeated the Carthaginians they took control of its territories including Morocco. [3]

An excellent example of Roman influence still stands today in the ancient ruins of the city of Volubilis. Volubilis was originally built in the third century BC but flourished under Roman control. [4]

The first contacts between Morocco and Europe and Asia established trade routes and inadvertently diversity in religion. Judaism and Christianity were practiced widespread in Morocco in the latter stages of the Roman Empire.

Starting around 670 AD Morocco was invaded by Arabs and with that came conversion to Sunni Islam.

The native people of Morocco, Berbers, and Arabs combined to form the Moorish invasion of Spain. Beginning around 700 AD until 1492, Moors occupied parts of modern day Spain. There is some belief that the initial invasion was encouraged by Spanish people who were Roman citizens and unhappy with Visigoths in Spain. The Moorish invasion brought a strange religion and violence to the Iberian Peninsula. However, there were some positive results. The Moors brought architecture skills and made great advances in agricultural techniques in Spain. [6]

During the European scramble for Africa, Spain and France made Morocco a protectorate. This lasted until Morocco’s independence in 1956. Spain held territories in Morocco for about 500 years after the last Moors were expelled from Europe.

There are still some tense diplomatic situations between Catholic Spain and Islamic Morocco, but for the most part trade and political relations are well between Morocco and its European neighbors across the Mediterranean Sea.

1 "History of Morocco - Discover an Ancient Land." Morocco.com - Morocco Channel. Accessed December 11, 2017. http://www.morocco.com/culture/ancient-morocco.

2 IBID

3 IBID

4 Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Archaeological Site of Volubilis." UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed December 18, 2017. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/836.

5 "List your Spain or Canary Isles Holiday Rental or B&B FREE of CHARGE." History of Spain - The Moors. Accessed December 18, 2017. https://www.spanish-web.com/history/moors.php.

6 IBID