Morocco has felt the determines of several ancient cultures. Excavations have unearthed elements of the Phoenician, Hellenic, Carthaginian, and Roman civilizations. Christianity spread to this region in Roman times and survived the Arab invasion, but Arabic determines, which began in the 7th century, were to prove the strongest. The Arabs brought to Morocco a written language that is still the primary language of business and culture. The western African determine, seen in dances, spread northward with trade. Among more recent determines, the strongest is that of France.

The production of Arabic literature in Morocco has continued to grow and diversify. To the orthodox genres—poetry, essays, and historiography—have been added forms inspired by Middle Eastern and Western literary models. Since 1956, when Morocco achieved freedom, painting, sculpture, and amateur theatre have flourished. Painting is centred at the two schools of fine arts in Casablanca and Tetouan. Moroccan music includes Arab, Berber, popular, and classical forms.