Turkey and Morocco

Posted: November 29th, 2013

Name:

Instructor:

Course:

Date:

Turkey and Morocco

Similarities

            These two countries share the same social set up in families. The families live according to economic and local conditions. They either live as nuclear or extended families. Extended family consists of Grandmother, grandfather, sons, their wives and children. If there are any unmarried daughters, they are included in the extended family (Campbell, 5). When daughters get married, they go and live with their husbands and become part of their husbands’ extended families. In both countries, every member of the family has a role. For example, women are supposed to carry out house chores and look after children. Men are expected to provide for the family.

Turkey and Morocco have rich cultural heritage. Morocco’s Marrakech and Fez fascinate tourists with their natural treasures and cultural activities. There are many artisans and shops, which display a wide variety of cultures in Morocco (Cassanos, 12). Many hotels are in these cities to accommodate tourists who visit the country. Turkey is popular destination for people who want vacation. People do not only want to visit the country but also live there. The country gets many immigrants annually because of its attractive culture. People easily adapt to the changes and settle in quickly.

The economy of Turkey and Morocco has registered growth. For instance, from 2002 to 2007, Turkey registered a growth of six percent. Morocco’s gross domestic product increased with about six percent in 2008. Agriculture and tourism contribute to the economy of both countries. In 2007, Morocco experienced a drought and the economy dropped significantly. This was due to agriculture input. In Turkey, agriculture has employed about thirty percent of the population. The economy is greatly driven by industries and service sectors. Many tourists get in the country and uplift service sectors like hotels, touring companies and other areas. The cost of living in Turkey is low and basic facilities are available.  

            Both countries have mixture of ethnicity and religion. There are Christians, Jews, Muslims and Bahai among others. The largest population is the Muslim community. In Morocco, more than ninety-eight percent of the people are Muslims (Seward & Hargraves, 44). One percent population and less than one percent are Jews. Turkey population is ninety nine percent Islam. Most Muslims in Turkey are followers of Sunni Islamic traditions but a big group belongs to Alevi and Shiite groups. There are not less than twelve million people with Kurdish identity. This makes it the biggest minority group in Turkey.

Turkey and Morocco are experiencing similar economic problems. In both countries, there is unemployment and need for full recovery from economic crisis. Morocco has almost twenty percent employment rate in the urban areas. In 2007, a drought struck Morocco and paralyzed economic growth. The country has been trying to diversify its economy to register more growth. Turkey’s economy has been affected by the fluctuating rate of inflation. The government is working to create employment for the unemployed group (Darke, 30).

Both countries have political stability and it is a major contributing factor to tourism. Morocco is having political reforms, which will improve the country’s administration. The country has accorded the press freedom of information. Turkey gets high number of immigrants because of the political stability in the country. Tourism has thrived in Turkey because visitors enjoy the peaceful and comfortable environment. Morocco form of government is a monarchy so leadership is predetermined. This has helped to maintain political stability since it is not a democratic state.

Differences

            There is a difference in the form of government in these two countries. Turkey is a republic while Morocco is a kingdom. The head of government in Turkey is a prime minister and a president rules the country. In Morocco, a king has been ruling the country since the Arabs conquered North Africa. Turkey’s government includes executive arm, judicial and legislative. In monarchy, the overall authority lies with the king. He is the decision –maker and only receives council from his advisors. The current regime is making reforms and advocating human rights (Cassanos, 64).

The two countries have different political history. Turkey became a republic in 1923 after being led by Mustafa Kemal. Initially, the country was under the rule of Ottoman Empire and they had to fight for three years before gaining independence. The leaders of the new republic worked together to bring modernization and developments in the country. Morocco became a monarchy in 788. Moorish dynasties began ruling and leadership became successive. It is handed down to the next heir and no elections are involved. This makes the country passive in politics because most decisions and policies are determined by the king. The current king’s name is King Mohammed the seventh.

The geographical settings of the two countries differ greatly. Turkey’s area is seven hundred and eighty thousand, five hundred and eighty kilometers squared. This country is situated at a seismic zone hence, prone to earthquakes. The terrain surrounds Anatolia and it is a narrow coastal plain. There is also an inland plateau, which is rugged towards the east side. The climate is moderate around the coastal areas but harsh in the inland parts. The population is about Seventy four million, according to a census carried out in 2010 (Campbell, 79). Some of the cities include Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, and Gaziantep.

Morocco is situated in the north of Africa, near Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. This country has an area of four hundred and forty six thousand, five hundred and fifty kilometers squared. It is said to be bigger than California State but smaller than Spain. The capital city of this country is Rabat and the population of the country is more than thirty two million people. Morocco’s climate is characterized with hot summer from June to September. There is a season of cold winter mainly areas around the Atlas Mountains. The desert are experiences many sandstorms during the months of February to April.

Morocco’s national language is Arabic with some dialects from Berber. The official language is French. It is used during business communication, government business and diplomatic undertakings. The national and official language in Turkey is Turkish. Other languages used are Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian and Greek. The education level of Turkey is higher than Morocco. The literacy level in Turkey is about eighty-seven percent (Seward & Hargraves, 111). Ninety seven percent of the people in Turkey have attended the eight years of compulsory education. In Morocco, only people from the age of fifteen year can both read and write.

The economic conditions of both countries have a difference. Although Turkey has few natural resources than Morocco, it is economically stronger than Morocco. The natural resources in Turkey are coal, boron, mercury, copper and chromium. The natural resources found in Morocco are fish, phosphates, copper, silver, lead and manganese. Turkey’s per capita income in 2010 was estimated to be ten thousand, two hundred and ninety seven dollars. Morocco’s per capita income in the same year was four thousand, seven hundred and eight dollars. The GDP in 2010 for Turkey was seven hundred and eighty nine billion dollars. While Morocco, had GDP of ninety billion dollars (Darke, 143).

Prediction

            According to economic, social and political analysis, Turkey seems to be more stable than Morocco in the coming decade. Turkey records an increase in economic growth every year. Compared to Morocco, Turkey’s annual growth margin is bigger. There is a big difference in the GDP for both countries. In 2010, the difference of the GDP is six hundred and forty four billion dollars. This is an indication that Turkey is a head of Morocco economically. Turkey is likely to have economic stability faster than Morocco.

Turkey’s population is more educated than Morocco. This gives them better opportunities to secure jobs. Education empowers entrepreneurship therefore; many people will manage to start their own businesses (Campbell, 106). A country with educated people is bound to make inventions, which will uplift people’s living standards. The unemployment rate in Turkey is very minimal than in Morocco. This is why there is a big range in the gross domestic product.

Both countries have political stability and the two governments are working to achieve better standards for citizens. Morocco has potential of improving its economic condition, considering it has low inflation rate. The macro economic stability is also strength for the country. Turkey aims at improving the social economic and political environment. This is mainly because of tourism, which contributes to the country economic growth (Cassanos, 131).

Works cited

Campbell, Verity. Turkey. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet Publications, 2007. Print.

Cassanos, Lynda C. Morocco. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2004. Print.

Darke, Diana. Turkey. Peterborough: Thomas Cook, 2007. Print.

Seward, Pat, and Orin Hargraves. Morocco. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2006. Print.