World Facts Index
 In
788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish
dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy,
particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and
inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered
in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's
sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the
country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in
1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were
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, which first met in 1997.
Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press.
Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the
monarch.
Geography of Morocco
|
Location:
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Northern Africa, bordering
the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and
Western Sahara |
|
Coordinates:
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32 00 N, 5 00 W |
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Area:
|
total: 446,550 sq km
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
slightly larger than
California |
|
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 |
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Coastline:
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1,835 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 24
NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
|
Climate:
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Mediterranean, becoming
more extreme in the interior |
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Terrain:
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northern coast and interior
are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane
valleys, and rich coastal plains |
|
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Sebkha
Tah -55 m
highest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m |
|
Natural resources:
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phosphates, iron ore,
manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt |
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Natural hazards:
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northern mountains
geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts |
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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 |
|
Geography - note:
|
strategic location along
Strait of Gibraltar
|
Population of Morocco
|
Population:
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34,343,220 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 31.6% (male 5,343,976/female 5,145,019)
15-64 years: 63.4% (male 10,505,018/female 10,580,599)
65 years and over: 5% (male 725,116/female 941,531) |
|
Median age:
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23.9 years |
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Growth rate:
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1.55% |
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Infant mortality:
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40.24 deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 70.94 years
male: 68.62 years
female: 73.37 years |
|
Fertility rate:
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2.68 children born/woman |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan |
|
Ethnic groups:
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Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% |
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Religions:
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Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% |
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Languages:
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Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French
often the language of business, government, and diplomacy |
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of
Morocco
local short form: Al Maghrib
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah |
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Government type:
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constitutional monarchy |
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Capital:
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Rabat |
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Administrative divisions:
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15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha,
Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara,
Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental,
Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al
Hoceima-Taounate
note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which
is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara
and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara;
Morocco claims another region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, which falls entirely within Western
Sahara |
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Independence:
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2 March 1956 (from France) |
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National holiday:
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Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to
the throne), 30 July (1999) |
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Constitution:
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10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992,
amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996 |
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Legal system:
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based on Islamic law and French and Spanish
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme
Court |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July
1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
following legislative elections. |
|
Legislative branch:
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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; 295
by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by
popular vote for five-year terms) |
|
Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the
recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) |
Economy
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.
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GDP:
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$125 billion (2007 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
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1.8% |
|
GDP per capita:
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$3,700 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 21.7%
industry: 35.7%
services: 42.6% |
|
Inflation rate:
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1% |
|
Labor force:
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11.19 million |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 40%, services 45%, industry 15% |
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Unemployment:
|
11% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $12.94 billion
expenditures: $16.77 billion |
|
Electricity production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 95.4%
hydro: 4.6%
other: 0% |
|
Industries:
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phosphate rock mining and processing, food
processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism |
|
Agriculture:
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barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables,
olives; livestock |
|
Exports:
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clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals,
transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products,
fruits, vegetables |
|
Export partners:
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France 37.5%, Spain 16.4%, UK 5.1% |
|
Imports:
|
crude petroleum, textile fabric,
telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics |
|
Import partners:
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France 30%, Spain 11.6%, Italy 5.4%, China 5.3%, Germany
5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.7% |
|
Currency:
|
Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |