Africa
Flag of Morocco
Morocco is a country in northwestern Africa at the crossroads of the Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean worlds, separated from Spain by only 14 kilometres at the Strait of Gibraltar. It is home to four UNESCO-listed imperial cities — Fes, Marrakech, Meknès, and Rabat — each with a historic old city of extraordinary character. Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts make it one of Africa's most geographically and culturally diverse countries.
- CapitalRabat
- RegionAfrica
- Current flag since1915
- Main coloursRed, Green
- Populationabout 37 million
- Areaabout 447,000 km²
- Flags in history3
Population and area are rounded.
What the flag of Morocco means
Red has been linked to Morocco's ruling Alaouite dynasty since the 17th century. The green interlaced five-pointed star, known as the Seal of Solomon, was added in 1915 under the French protectorate, and its five points are often linked to the five pillars of Islam. Before then, Morocco's plain red flag was easily confused with other flags at sea.
More about the flag
Morocco regained its independence from France and Spain in 1956 and kept the red flag with the green star. The star is drawn as an open, interlaced outline rather than a solid shape. The Alaouite dynasty, whose red the flag carries, has ruled since the 17th century. The capital is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca.
How to recognise it
Red with a green five-pointed star (the Seal of Solomon) in the centre.
Did you know?
Morocco has the oldest continuously operating university in the world — the University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD.
Easily confused with
Morocco's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Flag history of Morocco
Every flag that has flown over Morocco, from today back through time.
1915–present
Flag of Morocco
In 1915 Sultan Yusef added the green interlaced pentagram (Seal of Solomon) to the red field, partly to distinguish Moroccan ships. The design survived the French and Spanish protectorate eras.
Breakaway republic during the Rif War:
1921–1926
Republic of the Rif
Berber leader Abd el-Krim founded the Republic of the Rif in 1921 after crushing a Spanish army at Annual. Its red flag bore a white rhombus and crescent. A joint Spanish-French offensive — using early chemical weapons — ended it in 1926.
1666–1915
Plain red flag
When the Alaouite dynasty took power in 1666 it adopted a plain red field, used on land and by Moroccan ships for nearly 250 years.
1624–1668
Republic of Salé
A Barbary corsair pirate republic on the Atlantic coast, run by Moriscos expelled from Spain who raided shipping across the seas.
Related historical states
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Morocco.
1921–1926
Republic of the Rif
Abd el-Krim's Berber state during the Rif War: a red field with a white diamond holding a green crescent and a six-pointed star.
1666–1915
Morocco (Alaouite Sultanate)
For two and a half centuries the Sharifian sultanate flew a plain red banner; the green Seal of Solomon was added in 1915 under the French protectorate, producing the modern Moroccan flag.
Neighbouring countries
Morocco shares a land border with one country: Algeria.
Other flags in red and green
One other national flag uses the same main colours as Morocco's.
Play Globalio and learn Morocco's flag
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Algeria
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