The Idea of ‘Greater Morocco’
“Greater Morocco” was a mid-20th-century nationalist idea that Morocco's historical sphere extended well beyond its colonial borders, including the Sahara and parts of neighboring lands.
Roots
After independence in 1956, Moroccan nationalists pointed to pre-colonial allegiances between southern tribes and the sultans to argue for a larger national map.
The Sahara became the enduring element of that claim.
Legacy
Most maximalist versions faded, but the Saharan dimension remained central and shapes the dispute today.
It frames how Morocco narrates historical sovereignty.
Frequently asked
What was Greater Morocco?
A nationalist concept of an enlarged historical Morocco.
Is it still policy?
Only the Saharan element endures in practice.
See it on the map: explore the full territory of Morocco — coast to Sahara — on our interactive map of Morocco →