ـ[بَحْرُ الرَّمَل]ــــــــ[02 - 11 - 2010, 02:00 م]ـ
MOROCCO
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/mo-lgflag.gif (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/flagtemplate_mo.html)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/newmaps/mo-map.gif (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/maps/maptemplate_mo.html)
Background
The Berbers entered Morocco near the end of the
2nd millennium BC. Phoenicians established trading
posts along the Mediterranean during the 12th century
BC, and Carthage had settlements along the Atlantic
in the 5th century BC. After the fall of Carthage,
Morocco became a loyal ally of Rome, and in AD 42 it
was annexed by Rome as part of the province of Mauretania.
It was conquered by Muslims in the 7th century.
Beginning in the mid-11th century, the Almoravids,
Almohads, and Marinids ruled successively. After the
fall of the Marinids in the mid-15th century, the
SaAdis ruled for a century beginning in 1550. The
French fought Morocco over the Algerian boundary in
the 1840s, and the Spanish seized part of Moroccan
territory in 1859. It was a French protectorate from
1912 until its independence in 1956. In the mid-
1970s it reasserted claim to the Western Sahara,
and in 1976 Spanish troops withdrew from the region,
leaving behind the Algerian-supported Saharan
guerrillas of the Polisario movement. Relations with
Mauritania and Algeria deteriorated, and fighting
over the region continued. Attempts at mediation
have repeatedly been made by the international community.
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Area:
total: 446,550 sq km
Climate:
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Population:
31,285,174 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Ethnic groups:
Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions:
Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Rabat
Administrative divisions:
15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate
National holiday:
Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
ـ[بَحْرُ الرَّمَل]ــــــــ[02 - 11 - 2010, 02:03 م]ـ
OMAN
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/mu-lgflag.gif (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/flagtemplate_mu.html)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/newmaps/mu-map.gif (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/maps/maptemplate_mu.html)
Background
Oman has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years.
Arabs began migrating there in the 9th century BC.
Tribal warfare was endemic until the conversion to
Islam in the 7th century AD. It was ruled by Ibadi
imams until 1154, when a royal dynasty was established.
The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas
from about 1507 to 1650, when they were expelled.
The Al Bu SaAid dynasty, founded in the mid-18th century,
still rules Oman. Oil was discovered in 1964. In
1970 the sultan was deposed by his son, who began
a policy of modernization, and under him the country
joined the Arab League and the UN. In the Persian
Gulf War, Oman cooperated with the allied forces
against Iraq. In the 1990s it continued to expand its
foreign relations.
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Area:
total: 309,500 sq km
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Population:
3,418,085
country comparison to the world: 133
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions:
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Muscat
Administrative divisions:
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*
National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
¥