Introduction

Morocco occupies an area of approximately 446,550 sq km (172,413 sq mi) in the northwestern corner of the African continent. The Atlantic Ocean forms the country's western perimeter. The north is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea. To the east and southeast lies the Algerian border and the Moroccan Sahara extends along the far south of the country.

Morocco occupied what was called the Spanish Sahara (now the Moroccan Sahara) in 1979 and sustained a long battle with Polisario guerillas for control of the region. Between 1912 and 1956 Morocco was divided into French and Spanish protectorates. Traces of French and Spanish influences remain in the culture and language of the country. Several Mediterranean Islands off the coast of Morocco are still under Spanish sovereignty.