Background
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[ Geography ] [ People ] [ Government ] [ Economy ] [ Communications ] [ Transportation ] [ Military ]

Geography

Background: Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W

Area:
total:446,550 sq km
land :446,300 sq km
water:250 sq km

Land boundaries:
total: 2,017.9 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Coastline: 1,835 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point:Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 2%
other: 79% (2005)

Irrigated land: 12,580 sq km (1993 est.); 12,910 sq km (1998 est.); 14,450 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

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People

Population: 29,661,636 (July 1999 est.), 30,122,350 (July 2000 est.); 31,167,783 (July 2002 est.); 34,343,219 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 5,337,322/female 5,136,156)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 11,015,409/female 11,069,038)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 765,882/female 1,019,412) (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.84% (1999 est.), 1.74% (2000 est.); 1.68% (2002 est.); 1.505% (2008 est.)

Birth rate: 25.78 births/1,000 population (1999 est.), 24.6 births/1,000 population (2000 est.); 23.69 births/1,000 population (2002 est.); 21.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.); 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.); 5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.), 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.); -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.); -0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 50.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.); 46.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.); 38.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.52 years
male: 69.16 years
female: 74 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.13 children born/woman (2000 est.); 2.97 children born/woman (2002 est.); 2.57 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Nationality:
noun:Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan

Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.3%
male: 65.7%
female: 39.6% (2004 census)

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Government

Country name:
conventional long form :Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form:Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form:Al Maghrib

Government type: constitutional monarchy

National capital: Rabat

Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit note: three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara; decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature in March 1997 creating many new provinces/regions; specific details and scope of the reorganization not yet available

Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King HASSAN II's accession to the throne)

Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996

Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 23 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI (since 14 March 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections:none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 15 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2002); Chamber of Representatives - last held 14 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2002)
election results : Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 57, UC 50, RNI 46, MP 40, MDS 32, IP 32, MNP 19, PND 10, MPCD 9, PPS 9, FFD 9, PSD 5, OADP 4, PA 2, PDI 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch

Political parties and leaders: Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Abderrahman BENAMROU]; Citizen's Forces [Abderrahman LAJOUJI]; Constitutional Union or CU [Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Thami EL KHYARI]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Eissa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Party for Independence or PDI [Abd al Wahid AL MAASH]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Istiqlal Party or IP [Abbas El FASSI]; Moroccan Liberal Party [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action or OADP [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; Party of Justice and Development or PJD (note - formerly the Popular Constitutional and Democratic Movement or MPCD) [Dr. Abdelkarim KHATIB]; Party of the National Unionist Congress [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Party of Reform and Development [Abderrahman EL KOUHEN]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Social Democratic Movement or MDS [Mahmoud AARSHANE]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abderrahman EL-YOUSSOUFI]

International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam

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Economy

Economy - overview: Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rate slowed to 2.1% in 2007 as a result of a draught that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Continued dependence on foreign energy and Morocco's inability to develop small and medium size enterprises also contributed to the slowdown. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $108 billion (1999 est.); $112 billion (2001 est.); $127 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - 6.8% (1998 est.), 0% (1999 est.); 5% (2001 est.); 2.1% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,600 (1999 est.); $3,700 (2001 est.); $3,800 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 38.2%
services: 46.8% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line: 13.1% (1990-91 est.); 19% (1999 est.); 15% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 30.9% (1999)

Inflation rate - consumer prices: 2%-3% (1998 est.); 1.9% (1999 est.); 1% (2001 est.); 2.1% (2007 est.)

Labor force:
total: 11 million (1999.); 11.35 million (2007 est.)
agriculture: 40%
industry: 15%
services: 45% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate: 19% (1998 est.); 23% (1999 est.); 15% (2007 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $19.39 billion
expenditures: $21.21 billion (2007 est.)

Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1997 est.), 2% (1998 est.); 0.5% (1999 est.); 6% (2007 est.)

Electricity - production: 11.5 billion kWh (1996), 13.16 billion kWh (1998); 14.243 billion kWh (2000); 21.37 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - consumption: 12.52 billion kWh (1996), 12.363 billion kWh (1998); 14.346 billion kWh (2000); 20.67 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports: 1.02 billion kWh (1996), 124 million kWh (1998); 1.1 billion kWh (2000); 802 million kWh (2005)

Agriculture - products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Exports:
total value: $7 billion (f.o.b., 1997), $7.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998); $8.2 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.); $12.73 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
commodities:phosphates and fertilizers, food and beverages, minerals (1998)
partners: Spain 20.6%, France 20.5%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.7%, India 4% (2006)

Imports:
total value :$10 billion (c.i.f., 1997), $9.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998); $12.4 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.); $22.15 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
commodities:semiprocessed goods, machinery and equipment, food and beverages, consumer goods, fuel (1998)
partners: France 17.5%, Spain 13.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, China 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 6% (2006)

Debt - external: $20.9 billion (1998 est.), $19.1 billion (1999 est.); $19 billion (2001 est.); $16.86 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: $565.6 million (1995); ODA, $651.8 million (2005)

Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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Communications

Telephones: 1.391 million (1998); 1.266 million (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 116,645 (1998); 16.005 million (2006)

Telephone system: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 4 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is approaching 50 per 100 persons
domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay
international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia

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): 8 (2000)

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Transportation

Railways: total: 1,907 km
standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (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

Merchant marine:
total: 35 ships (1000 GRT or over) 344,445 GRT/252,341 DWT
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4
foreign-owned: 14 (France 13, Germany 1) (2007)

Airports: 67 (2001); 60 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 33
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 11 (2007)

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Military

Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2008)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 16-49: 9,152,580
females age 16-49: 9,080,830 (2008 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,627,988
females age 16-49: 7,754,873 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.361 billion (FY97/98); $1.4 billion (FY99/00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.8% (FY97/98); 4% (FY99/00); 5% (2003 est.)

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