the kingdom of morocco ' the place the sun sets '
Morocco has a population of over 35.7 million (2017 data) and an area of 710,850 km2 (274,460 sq mi). Its capital is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities include Marrakesh, Tangier, Salé, Fes, Meknes, Tétouan and Oujda. An historically prominent regional power, Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Since the foundation of the first Moroccan state by Idris I in 788 AD, the country has been ruled by a series of independent dynasties, reaching its zenith under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, spanning parts of Iberia and northwestern Africa. The Marinid and Saadi dynasties continued the struggle against foreign domination, allowing Morocco to remain the only northwest African country to avoid Ottoman occupation. The Alaouite dynasty, which rules to this day, seized power in 1631. In 1912, Morocco was divided into French and Spanish protectorates, with an international zone in Tangier. It regained its independence in 1956, and has since remained comparatively stable and prosperous by regional standards.
