Morocco

Author: He Man
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: In the 7th century, the ancient Arabs advanced northward into Africa, and their army's path reached Morocco before being blocked by the vast ocean. The conquerors believed this was the farthest western boundary, the place closest to the setting sun, and Morocco was thus named. Morocco's long and narrow territory is bisected by the Atlas Mountains in the center. The southeastern part is the world's largest desert, the Sahara, while the northwestern part is a climate-friendly seaport. The Atlas Mountains block the heat waves coming from the desert, dividing Morocco's territory into two completely different worlds. One half enjoys the humidity and abundant resources brought by the ocean, which is an essential condition for Morocco to become a major agricultural and fishing nation; the other half is a burning desert. The city of Hollywood lies at the intersection of the sea and the fire, a sacred place that countless filmmakers have long dreamed of. Morocco's earliest inhabitants were the Berbers, who were legendary for their bravery and exceptional horsemanship, known as the most famous "warriors" on the African continent. The conflict between the ancient Arabs and the Berbers lasted for more than half a century until the war ended in the late 7th century. Idriss was the first Islamic dynasty in Morocco, founded in 788 AD. From then on, the indigenous Berbers gradually adopted Islam and the Arabic language. In fact, in the history of Morocco, Islam was not the only dominant religion; during the pre-Islamic period, it was also one of the bases of Eastern Orthodoxy. Starting from the 15th century, the decline of the Marinid dynasty attracted European invaders. After resisting for several centuries, Morocco fell to French and Spanish colonization between 1911 and 1912, following the signing of the Fes Treaty and the Madrid Treaty. In coastal cities, Christianity gradually flourished. During World War II, when the brave General Patton occupied Morocco, Casablanca was described as "half Hollywood, half the Bible." Morocco is located at the junction of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, serving as the gateway for the Atlantic to enter the Mediterranean and a strategically vital region in wars. During the two World Wars, Morocco's status, both geographically and politically, was highly coveted. Colonizers sought wealth, politicians sought career advancement, and generals pursued immortal achievements, while Morocco's beautiful scenery became merely a backdrop in the era's narrative. Not all love stories are like Casablanca, nor does every place have a Lawrence of Arabia. Greed ruled this land, and the flames of war and conflict left it filled with sorrow. It wasn't until 1956 that Morocco, declared independence from French rule. Today, the Berbers and Arabs seem to have completely merged, with it said that 60% of Moroccans have some Berber ancestry, while the purest Berbers can only be found on the highlands and the tops of some mountains. The Spanish and French have left, and the shadows of the two coups in the 1970s have also become a thing of the past. Morocco is gradually recovering its spirit, with its cultural and historical heritage accumulating into fertile ground for civilization. Today, it is "half sea, half fire," a cool nation under the scorching sun, and also the "Northern African garden" in people's dreams. P11