Morocco Country Profile

Fast Facts about Morocco

Morocco Flag

•Location; Morocco is located in Northern Africa bordered by Algeria (closed) to the east and southeast; Mauritania to the south; and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.

•Surface Area; 446, 550 sq km (710, 000 sq km plus Western Sahara)

•Capital City; Rabat

•Other prominent cities; Casablanca (largest), Agadir, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Mohammadia, Oujda, Ouarzazat, Safi, Salé, Tangier and Tétouan.

•Currency; the national currency is the Moroccan Dirham (DH); US$1 = Dh8.5

•Population; 34,343,220 million

•Languages – Arabic & Berber (national), French, (for business, government and diplomacy)

•Major Ethnic group; Arab-Berber (99%)

•Telephone; Country code – 212; International access code 00

•Lowest point; Sebkha Tah -55m

•Highest point; Jebel Toubkal 4,165m

Politically, Morocco is a constitutional monarchy and became self-governing on March 2, 1956. The country’s major rival political parties are the Constitutional Union Party (UC), Istiqlal (Independence) Party (PI), Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Party of Justice and Development (PJD), National Rally of Independents (RNI), Socialism (PPS), Party of Progress and Popular Movement (MP).

Physical

The Atlas Ranges

Morocco is expansively mountainous. The Atlas Mountains located mainly in the center and south of the country has an average elevation of 11,000 ft and contains some of the highest peaks of North Africa including Mt. Toubkal (at 13,665 ft)- the highest of all. South of the Atlas lie the Anti-Atlas Mountains, with volcanic Mt. Siroua (10,000 ft). Morocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa. Ziz and Gheris are the main river systems flow southward towards the Sahara. However, most rivers generally flow northwestward to the Atlantic or southeastward toward the Sahara; Moulouya River being the exceptional because it flows north-eastwards 350 miles from the Atlas to the Mediterranean. Key rivers with outlets in the Atlantic are Bou Regreg, Draa, Oumer, Sebou, Sous and Tensift. Most of the south east portion of the country is in the Sahara Desert and as such it’s generally sparsely populated and economically unproductive.

Economy

Morocco’s economy is considered a relatively liberal economy governed by forces of demand and supply. The major resources of the country’s economy are agriculture, phosphates, and tourism. Fish and seafood are similarly important. Industry and mining contribute about a third of the annual GDP. The key performing sectors are the tourism, telecoms and textile sectors. Morocco however, still depends to an inordinate degree on agriculture that accounts for only around 14% of GDP yet employs 45-50% of the population. The services sector accounts for just over half of GDP and industry- made up of mining, manufacturing and construction is an additional quarter.

People

Majority Moroccans live west of the Atlas Mountains, a range that insulates the country from the Sahara Desert. It is the fourth most populous Arab country, after Algeria, Egypt and Sudan. The Muslim religion accounts for 99.99% of the total population with an insignificant Jewish population estimated at 4,000 people. Christian population is estimated at less than 1,000 people. Arabic is the official language although supplemented by several Berber dialects.

Wildlife

Morocco is known for its wildlife biodiversity. With over 210 species of bird and 105 species of mammal, the National Parks in Morocco are truly a nature lovers’ hub. They are habitant to exotic animals such as the red fox, more common – the flamingos plus 29 endangered species (11 birds, 18 mammals). Birdlife is also spectacular. The avifauna of Morocco has a total of 454 species, of which 5 have been introduced by humans, and 156 are rare.

When to go

Morocco is at its best in spring (mid-March to May), when the country is lush and green, followed by autumn (September to November), when the heat of summer has eased. Extremes of summer heat and winter particularly in the High Atlas persist from November to July. The north coast and the Rif Mountains are frequently wet and cloudy in winter and early spring.

If you are traveling in winter, head for the south, although be prepared for sourly cold nights.