Morocco -

: More recently, Morocco made history as the first African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The Labyrinth of the Medinas Morocco country profile - BBC News

Morocco's story is one of enduring independence. It remained a sovereign state far longer than many of its neighbors, and its diplomatic ties are among the oldest in the world. Morocco

At the far western edge of North Africa lies Morocco , a kingdom where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean and ancient traditions live within modern high-speed rail lines. Known historically as "Al-Maghreb" (The West), it is a land defined by its resilience and a cultural tapestry woven from Berber, Arab, African, and European threads. A Legacy of "Firsts" : More recently, Morocco made history as the

: In 859 AD, a woman named Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of Al-Quaraouiyine in Fez, which remains the oldest continuously operating university in the world. At the far western edge of North Africa

: Morocco was the very first nation to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777, signing a Treaty of Friendship in 1786 that remains the longest-unbroken treaty in American history.