Kingdom of Morocco

General Informations

National name: al-Mamlaka al-Maghrebia

Ruler: King Muhammed VI (1999)

Prime Minister: Abbas El Fassi (2007)

Population (2007 est.): 33,757,175

Growth rate: 1.5%

Birth rate: 21.6/1000

Infant mortality rate: 38.9/1000

Life expectancy: 71.2

Density per sq mi: 196

Capital (2003 est.): Rabat, 1,636,600

Largest cities: Casablanca, 3,397,000; Fez, 941,800; Marrakech, 755,200

Monetary unit: Dirham

Morocco time: GMT

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $125.3 billion

Agriculture: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock. Labor force: 11.35 million; agriculture 40%, services 45%, industry 15% (2003 est.)

Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism. Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt.

Exports: $12.73 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables.

Imports: $22.15 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics.

Major trading partners: France, Spain, UK, Italy, India, Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 1.266 million (2006); mobile cellular: 16.005 million (2006).

Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998). Radios: 6.64 million (1997).

Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995). Televisions: 3.1 million (1997).

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 137,187 (2007). Internet users: 6.1 million (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 1,907 km (2006). Highways: total: 57,493 km; paved: 32,716 km (includes 507 km of expressways); unpaved: 24,777 km (2004).

Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla. Airports: 60 (2007).

History & Culture

Morocco’s history began with the Berbers, the aboriginal people who have inhabited the country since the end of the 2nd millennium BC Rome extended its rule over the area after defeating Carthage in 146 BC, and testimony to its presence still exists in the fine Roman ruins at Volubilis.

As Rome fell into decline Morocco was invaded first by the Vandals and then, in the 7th century, by the Arabs. Although external Arab rule lasted little more than a century, the arrival of Islam proved to be a permanent addition to Moroccan culture.

By the middle of the 19th century Morocco’s strategic importance had become evident to all of the European powers, and they engaged in a protracted struggle for possession of the country. Finally, in 1911, France was formally acknowledged as protector of the greater part of the country, with Spain receiving a number of isolated locales. French rule came to an end in 1953, although its cultural influence on Morocco remains strongly in evidence.

Today the country is ruled by King Mohammed VI. He appears clearly leading Morocco toward both long-term stability and a greater degree of economic prosperity

Geography

Morocco is situated on the north west of Africa . The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. The land borders of Morocco are with Algeria, and Mauritania. In the north-west Morocco is separated from Spain by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar.

The capital city is Rabat on the Atlantic Coast. Casablanca, also on the Atlantic coast, is the country’s chief port. The city of Fes is the spiritual and cultural centre of Morocco, famous for its ancient university. Marrakesh, an oasis at the edge of the desert, is also an important trade centre and the main city of southern Morocco. Tangier in the north, opposite Gibraltar is famous for the many writers and artists who have lived there.

Along the coastline of the Atlantic lies a fertile plain which stretches to the Atlas mountains. Another mountain range, the Rif Mountains, runs west to east a short distance from the Mediterranean coast.

The main rivers of Morocco are the Sebou which runs into the Atlantic and the Moulouya which runs into the Mediterranean.

To the south and east lies the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is the world’s largest desert and in Arabic its name means "wilderness". The desert is not entirely flat and waterless. The streams in the hills and the oases in the desert support both human and animal life.

Architecture

The architecture of Morocco is basically Islamic and has been heavily influenced by the traditions of those expelled from Spain in the Middle Ages.

The horseshoe shaped Islamic arches, courtyard gardens at the heart of the houses and elaborate decoration of the outside walls are all to be seen throughout Morocco. Other traditional aspects of Moroccan architecture reflect the country’s turbulent past in fortified palaces and desert strongholds.

Alongside the historic architecture are the modern buildings of the rapidly growing cities such as Rabat and Casablanca. These modern buildings, while European in style, are still distinctively Moroccan.

Population

The population of Morocco was estimated at 34,343,219 in 2008.

The original inhabitants of Morocco were succeeded by Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans.Three quarters of the people of modern Morocco are of Berber descent. The Berbers were conquered by the Arabs in the seventh and eighth centuries.

Languages

Morocco’s official language is Arabic. For historical reasons most Moroccans also speak French and many are fluent in Spanish and English. The Berber language, Tamazight, is still spoken in the Rif and Atlas mountains. Both the Berber language and Arabic are used in a number of local dialects.

Religion

The official religion in Morocco is Islam and the King is spiritual leader of his people as well as the monarch.

The mosque is the centre of Muslim worship and Morocco contains many beautiful and historic examples.

One percent of the people are Christians (mainly French and Spanish). A small number of the people are Jewish, descended from Jews exiled from Spain in the Middle Ages.

Food

Tajine is the national dish of Morocco. It is a stew cooked in an earthenware bowl and made with vegetables and either meat, chicken or fish.

The national drink is mint tea.

Couscous is the traditional Friday lunch made from semolina-like grains of flour and served with vegetables or with sugar, goat’s milk and cinnamon as a pudding.

Other Moroccan dishes are harira which is a soup made with chick peas and lentils and pastilla, a flaky pastry filled with pigeon and almonds. Kefta (spicy meat balls) and mechoui (oven or spit roasted lamb) are very popular. Sweets include doughnuts and honey cakes made with almonds, raisins and sesame seeds.

With its long coastline Morocco is particularly well supplied with fish and seafoods.

Time Zone

Morocco is on GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) year round.

Electricity

Electricity in Morocco is the same as in Europe: 220 Volts at 50 cycles. Electrical sockets take 2 round pins like those for France—not the flat ones of the USA. If you have dual voltage equipment, you can buy plugs to convert from flat to round pins at the marché.

Weights and Measures

Morocco uses the metric system. Distance is measured in kilometers. One mile is 1.6 kilometers. Meat, fruit and vegetables are sold in kilograms. There are 2.2 pounds in a kilogram; a half-kilo is about one pound.