Final answer:
Casablanca is the chief port on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Morocco is a country in North Africa with a rich trade history and was part of the Maghreb region, which includes other large countries like Algeria and Libya.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chief port on the Atlantic coast of a North African country being referred to is Casablanca, which is located in Morocco. Hence, the correct answer to the multiple-choice question is b) Morocco. Casablanca is not just a port; it is the largest city in Morocco and a major commercial hub in the region. For centuries, the geographical area now known as Morocco has been significant in trade and cultural exchange due to its coastal position along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
North Africa, including Morocco, has a rich history of interaction with other civilizations. Besides the Phoenician city of Carthage, located on the coast of present-day Tunisia, North African regions like the Maghreb and the Barbary Coast have played pivotal roles at different points in history. The Maghreb covers the larger countries of Algeria, Libya, and Morocco, while the Barbary Coast was known for its interaction with European colonialism and piracy issues.
It's interesting to note that North Africa was generally not involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which was predominantly executed through the West African region. Historical kingdoms such as the Songhai Empire, with its capital at Gao, also carved out their legacies within West Africa, further south from Morocco.