Focus on Morocco! (MAGICAL North African Nation)

This video is all about the North African country of Morocco! Join this channel to see videos early, and get ad-free videos:
/ @geofocuschannel
Morocco is a fascinating country located in the northeastern corner of the African continent. Not only is it part of North Africa, but also part of the Arab World, and a member of the Arab League. Not all Moroccans consider themselves to be Arabs, though. Before the arrival of Islam, the people of Morocco were the Amazigh people (sometimes referred to as "Berber"), and still today a large proportion of the population speak an Amazigh language and have Amazigh roots. It's even debated whether the Moroccan dialect of Arabic (Darija) is actually Arabic, or Amazigh with mostly Arabic vocabulary. It's clearly a country that has arisen from the intermingling of two civilizations: Amazigh on the one hand, and Arabian and Islamic on the other.
The geography of Morocco is characterized by the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert in the south. One important point of contention is whether the disputed territory of Western Sahara is part of Morocco. Moroccans believe strongly that it's part of their country, while not many countries recognize their sovereignty over it. But in 2020, the USA recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. Why? Watch and find out!
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Producer and host: Paul
Writer: Edward Jones
Video editor: Luis Solana Ureña (Acribus Studio)
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Video co-stars▬▬▬▬●
Santiago González
Michael Ruelas
Click the join button to become a video co-star
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Images▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
Images licensed from istock.com
Additional images licensed from Depositphotos.com
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Creative Commons images used in this video:
docs.google.co...
●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Music▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
Main: "Actually, Like" by Twin Musicom, from KZbin Audio Library
Outro: "Fly Forward", licensed from Storyblocks.com

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Hi, everyone! I hope you like the new video on Morocco! Join this channel to see videos early, and get ad-free videos: kzbin.info/door/8HYERScBt-e0kV0fpe0asgjoin (Join on computer, Android, or web browser on iOS. After joining, you'll have membership features on the iOS app too) And you may be interested in my video on Moroccan Darija - the debatable dialect of Arabic (or not)! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGfbkGmBZbSFadk Have fun!

[@mord630]

Man your hard worker Smart and unvery educated

[@kigas24]

As a Moroccan-American, I'm so glad you included those bonus facts! I think you did a great job covering my Motherland. The people & cities there are incredibly diverse, it is incredible to believe Marrakesh is in the same country as Tangier.

[@marstav4640]

Are these two cities so different ? Intrigued to know more, especially from the local perspective!!!

[@kigas24]

@@marstav4640 Tangier is at the northernmost tip of Morocco and is very hilly and windy. Marrakesh is in the desert and is flat as can be. Marrakesh also has a city ordinance that no building can be taller than the mosque's minaret, so on top of being flat it also doesnt have tall buildings. They're good topographical examples of Morocco's diverse landscape.

[@old_geeky_Michael]

I visited Morocco as a tourist many years ago. I've never forgotten it - amazing place. The people, the food, the cities, the orange sand of the desert - all beautiful. Also, I found it easier to understand Moroccan French than French French 😃

[@latifaabla45]

Hi from Morocco It was a great video thank you Moroccan people are so friendly and generous 😊 Welcome here to my beautiful country Morocco

[@hasnaatv]

As a moroccan. U did a great job covering Morocco. I love this kind of videos. Keep up

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 👍🏻

[@ss-de4cm]

Marrakesh is derived from Tamazight "mur akush" , meaning land of god

[@miamidolphinsfan]

I'd love to know more about Morrocan cuisine

[@silvestervanmeijgaarden5350]

Hello Paul! I'm glad you made a video about Morocco since there are a lot of people with roots from that place in my native country (The Netherlands) and ever since I'm 16 I was increasingly becoming interested in learning more about the culture and country in general. Nowadays I'm not so obsessed anymore but still interested because we have like 390 thousand people with Moroccan roots here. Thank you Paul, keep it up as always!

[@icecoffee907]

Moroccan mint tea is to die for.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

I agree!

[@alisadventures152]

I lived in Morocco for 2 years and it holds a very special place in my heart. I miss the tea, the food and especially the people who are the most hospitable of anyone I’ve ever encountered. 💜

[@user-ji2ci6zy3m]

welcom in your second country

[@4misa2078]

Sorry but western Sahara is moroccan 🇲🇦

[@azharAD]

Great videos but I wish they were a little longer!

[@GEOfocusChannel]

I’m keeping the length to around ten minutes so I can continue making videos regularly. My other channel Langfocus has become almost unsustainable because of the length and detail involved, and if viewers get used to that, it’s very hard to go back.

[@andreasghb8074]

I am fascinated by the Amazight people and language. I've heard bits and pieces of the language and I love how it sounds.

[@GeographyNuts]

Morocco is an amazing place yummy food. It's history is interesting too. Great video.

[@suevialania]

Ceuta and Melilha are Moroccan cities too! Canary/Guanches Islands...are in North África too!

[@rvrv7021]

They prefer Spain because the euros €€

[@suevialania]

@@rvrv7021 Putin think the same...And you love him😈

[@fakeAratPrime]

Yes, Canary and Guanches islands are in North Africa. As to Ceuta and Melilla, they're spanish, but tbh it's a political conflict that has been an issue since the spanish civil war (and before). Believe me, most spaniards are not happy about what happened during that time.

[@Cat.205]

Have a nice Day

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

ALLAH BLESS MOROCCO

[@mnic86]

I’m really enjoying these country profile videos! So informative! Keep up the great work!

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Thanks, Marc!

[@Andrew.Schlei]

Cool. Western Sahara is one of those things I always wonder about when I see it on a map. I did notice with the animals there seems to be a typo on the video; it says "barbaby" instead "barbary" macaque and lion.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Oops. Yeah, sometimes something like that slips through. It would be a dream come true if KZbin allowed us to upload updated versions of the video and keep all the comments and views, etc. But they don’t let us do that (even though I know their technology could allow it).

[@rechard30]

MOROCCO came from Moors, old Moroccans people who lived in ancient Maurtania old kingdom in Morocco.

[@user-ji2ci6zy3m]

yes Amazigh not berber .thank you so much

[@TSGC16]

Fun fact: One of Morocco's kings, Moulay Ismail, has the most or second-most children in history.

[@freitchetsleimwor2406]

I'm going to watch this and have a nice day

[@tabili3830]

Can't wait for Tunisia's video!

[@dedebrown9097]

This channel is so under rated! Amazing channel and video.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Thanks, Dede! I’m confident it will grow over time. I have a feeling the thumbnail images are the weak point at the moment. What do you think of them?

[@tertiusgreyling9955]

Yep agreed. In my view what matters is the content but a lot of people judge a book by its cover. Perhaps something a little more exciting but still true to the quality of the content?

[@GEOfocusChannel]

That’s what I’m thinking, but I’m not quite sure what to try without being too baity with stereotypes and cliches.

[@manuelsolana1429]

Muy buen vídeo. Muchas gracias. 👍

[@Macieks300]

I was surprised to see that the hot desert climate in Morocco is only found in the eastern half of the country. When I visited Morocco as a tourist and saw the biggest cities which are mostly on the Atlantic coast it was unbelievably hot there. Around 40 degrees Celsius. I guess it must've been because I was there during the hottest period of the year in the middle of July.

[@PainterVierax]

Portugal is also known for its +40°C summers and it's not a desert either. The Atlantic coast is not arid because of the humidity brought by the Gulf stream.

[@Yanzdorloph]

Heat waves happen from time to time, but they don't stay for long

[@joseluisoterodominguez7494]

Hola. Podrías poner los subtítulos también en español. Gracias

[@yourmissingc0ckring759]

France too plss🇫🇷🏰⚔️🗡️✨🍇🍷💃💅🎨🖌️

[@davestrasburg408]

This video has almost everything important to know about Morocco; l admittedly was surprised to learn the origin of the name "Morocco," as l had assumed that it was derived from the Arabic name/word "Maghreb." lt is stated, correctly, that Morocco was the first country to recognize the lndependence of the United States, something few people are aware of; the one thing not mentioned is the fact that just a few years subsequently Morocco was one of the enemies in the first foreign war of America, the Barbary Pirates War, when the United States, unlike the European superpowers, refused to submit to demands for ransom for sailors and ship passengers that they had abducted. Morocco is today one of only six Arab countries to have normalized ties with lsrael; in return, as the video says, the United States, as well as lsrael, recognized Moroccan Sahara, formerly known as Western Sahara, as part of Morocco. Morocco also has great cuisine, which has greatly influenced lsraeli cuisine, especially cous-cous. Since the normalization with lsrael, and the end of the coronahysteria that gripped the world, there has been an explosion of lsraelis traveling to Morocco - can you blame 'em?

[@alaeasri7912]

very accurate nice job man

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Thanks!

[@ingriddurden3929]

Love the Tamachech language and several musical groups from northern Africa. Tasuta N Imal are from Morocco and there might be more. Their videos complement this one, with beautiful views of the country, which is surprisingly diverse. Love this video !

[@frantiseksek9808]

6:25 .. he holds some degree of executive power. Naah.. he holds all of it by an iron hand. He's the 5th richest ruler in the world.. and that PM is also his fellow oligarch billionaire.. beautiful country you'll be treated like a prince if you have blonde hair, blue eyes, and a red passport... otherwise it's hell on earth that I can't get out of asap legally or illegally alike

[@eemymagia]

Genial!!! 👏

[@Imaworldstar-jw3yj]

Hello be my friend Isupport studied English with this I restarted English after 10 years I am a beginner studying English with asmr. Please come and take a look and .

[@mikenogozones]

Fun fact, many Hollywood filmd and TV shows are filmed there. Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Alexander are a small sample.

[@spicytranslations9604]

Darija really isn't that influenced by Tamazight... mostly just pronunciation but like very few words are from Tamazight.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

There’s grammatical influence as well. The vocabulary is from Arabic, of course.

[@spicytranslations9604]

@@GEOfocusChannel I've been studying Darija in Morocco for the last 8 months and have studied some Tamazight to a lesser degree but have been surprised by the lack of influence in all aspects of the language. Would you be able to direct me to what influences you're referring to exactly or some good sources I can look at? Love your new channel btw I subscribed.

[@p95083]

German is also spoken in Morocco not that often but it's coming more and english aswell

[@4misa2078]

Hi from western saraha morocco from aloyoun city 🇲🇦

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Hello! 👋🏻 I hope you liked the video.

[@sabaperveez9307]

👏👏👏👍

[@Raheem_1412-]

🇲🇦🇩🇿 one message from Algeria to Morocco: Kanbgheek .... Else you can add that Marrakech or Murrakush maybe mean: land of God in archaic Tamazight

[@HersheyandStuff]

Commenting for support

[@rayanlionel6316]

Hi sahara is moroccan

[@ArunGoyal2007]

bon

[@yasmina10013]

Very informative

[@omrivol]

Great video!

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Thanks, Omri! Where are you from, by the way?

[@omrivol]

@@GEOfocusChannel You're welcome! I'm from Israel. I like your both channels😊

[@GEOfocusChannel]

חשבתי שאולי אתה ישראלי 😊 מאיפה אתה בארץ? אני מכיר כמעט כל מקום.

[@omrivol]

@@GEOfocusChannel אני גר ועובד בתל אביב וגדלתי בבת-ים. אני זוכר שסיפרת שלמדת עברית בארץ ואתה אוהב את המדינה😊 וכן, השם שלי הוא שם ייחודי לישראלים. זה שם שמקורו בתנ״ך. עמרי היה מלך ישראל👑😁

[@ragheadand420roll]

Really good hash

[@GEOfocusChannel]

I wouldn't know and I never will, so I'll take your word for it! lol I'd love to try their coffee, though.

[@ecizayoff3894]

I liked the video but not the part of Sahara Sahara is Moroccan 🇲🇦♥️ and she always be

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Well, I didn’t say if it is or isn’t legitimately Moroccan; I only explained that there is a conflict. I avoid giving my opinion on conflicts and stick to facts, and to be honest I don’t even formulate an opinion on most conflicts.

[@Deibi078]

There's lions in Morocco? Lol 🐒

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Not anymore!

[@yasmina10013]

In the Rabat zoo (from the King's collection) but not in the wild

[@audioartistic]

Western Sahara is Moroccan.

[@joshadams8761]

Please include Imperial units for your American and Burmese viewers. I have no idea how hot, for example, 40 degrees celsius is.

[@qwaqwa1960]

Here's the opportunity to look it up and learn something new...

[@joshadams8761]

@@qwaqwa1960 I’d rather not.

[@qwaqwa1960]

​@@joshadams8761 I guess Paul would rather not pander to ignorant Burmese like you. Oh...wait...you're ignorant about that too. OK-to an ignorant Marshall Islander.

[@yodorob]

104F

[@joshadams8761]

@@yodorob THANK YOU!

[@Luna-dh6yt]

Now do Algeria ! 🇩🇿✨

[@yaslaa6494]

Bit sad that you did not mention the Rif's Republic and the amazing musical culture of the country ! But fo a 9 min long video you did good :))

[@yodorob]

I think that at least a passing mention could have been made about Morocco's long and vibrant Jewish past. Before almost all of the Jews left in the 1950s to 1970s, it had the largest single Jewish population of any Arab/Muslim country. Even today there are a few Jews left, including no less than the king's advisor, André Azoulay. I know tons of Moroccan Jews in Montreal, one of the main places where they live today, along with the rest of Canada, the US, France, and especially Israel.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

It might make a good topic for an entire video sometime. I would just have to figure out how to gather or create visual elements for the video.

[@yodorob]

@@GEOfocusChannel But then you may want to create entire videos of past Jewish communities in various other North African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as those of the various European countries like Germany, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, etc.

[@gceceditsstuff]

First

[@idraote]

And yes, Morocco is indeed on my bucket list or, better, it would be if the general stance about LGBT+ rights were not as bad. Which is a shame, really, as the country is magnificent.

[@GEOfocusChannel]

Yes, I suppose that’s the case with most traditional or religious countries.

[@letsmove9438]

you have to correct your map of morocco bro the wesrern sahara it's moroccan sahara , and this is the most important thing for moroccans. thank you .

[@GEOfocusChannel]

I explained that issue in the video. Almost every map of Morocco in the world (outside of Morocco) doesn’t include Western Sahara, so the maps I use naturally won’t include it. But I made sure to present the Moroccan perspective on it.

[@asifdadashov161]

Thank you Paul for all your efforts. One thing I think you forgot, influence of Ottoman empire.

[@Raheem_1412-]

Actually Morocco hadn't been conquered by Turks but for several months.

[@yodorob]

Nearby Algeria and Tunisia were under Ottoman control for a few centuries in a way that Morocco wasn't.

[@Raheem_1412-]

@@yodorob Almost 300 years for each. And Beyliği of Tunisia remained till 1957

[@muskegmudsuck]

Morocco also has an amazingly rich and diverse music culture-from Gnawa music to Amazigh music to Tamasheq/Tuareg music in the beautiful desert, and great popular artists like Nass El Ghiwane and Aziz Sahmaoui and up and coming bands like Daraa Tribes from Tagounite (check them out!)--it's a musical epicenter.