CHAPTER III.
The two different aspects by which the strength and resources of the
Empire of Morocco may be viewed or estimated. - Native appellation of
Morocco. - Geographical limits of this country. - Historical review of the
inhabitants of North Africa, and the manner in which this region was
successively peopled and conquered. - The distinct varieties of the human
race, as found in Morocco. - Nature of the soil and climate of this
country. - Derem, or the Atlas chain of mountains. - Natural
products. - The Shebbel, or Barbary salmon; different characters of
exports of the Northern and Southern provinces. - The Elaeonderron
Argan. - Various trees and plants. - Mines. - The Sherb-Errech, or
Desert-horse.
The empire of Morocco may be considered under two aspects, as to its
extent, and as to its influence. It may be greatly circumscribed or
expanded to an almost indefinite extent, according to the feelings, or
imagination, of the writer, or speaker. A resident here gave me a meagre
_tableau_, something like this,
The city of Morocco 50,000 souls.
" Fez 40,000 "
" Mequinez 25,000 "
- - - -
115,000 "
The maritime cities contain little more than 100,000 inhabitants, making
altogether about 220,000. Over the provinces of the south, Sous and
Wadnoun, the Sultan has no real power; so the south is cut off as an
integral portion of the empire.
