Morocco

Kingdom of MoroccoAl Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

constitutional monarchyIndependence 2 March 1956 (from France)

Morocco as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalRabat

Position32 00 N, 5 00 W

Area446,550 sq km

LocationNorthern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the

Populationas each edition published it

30.39 million July 1997 est. · 25.65m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.02% 1997 est. · 2.16% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 23 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

70.08 years 1997 est. · 67.5 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

3.47 children per woman 1997 est. · 4 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

40.7 deaths per 1,000 live births 1997 est. · 78 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$3,260 1996 est. · $1,060 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

9% 1996 est. · 0% in 1993

Geography

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

18 fields

Land useshare of 446,550 sq km

arable land 21%permanent crops 1%permanent pastures 47%forests and woodland 20%other 11% (1993 est.)irrigated 12,580 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

446,550sq km

land: 446,300 sq kmwater: 250 sq kmslightly larger than California

Coastline

1,835km

contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone : 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

4,165m

Jebel Toubkallowest point : Sebkha Tah -55 m

Land boundaries

2,017.9km

border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Location

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

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

Natural resources

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

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
signed, but not ratified:: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

People

15 fields

Population

30,391,423

(July 1997 est.)growth rate: 2.02% (1997 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1997 est.)

Birth

26.83Death

5.58Net migration

-1.08

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99.1%other 0.7%Jewish 0.2%

Religions

Muslim 98.7%Christian 1.1%Jewish 0.2%

Literacy

43.7%

definition: age 15 and over can read and writemale : 56.6%female: 31% (1995 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years : 37% (male 5,730,322; female 5,552,490)

15-64 years:: 59% (male 8,832,635; female 8,949,126)
65 years and over:: 4% (male 629,816; female 697,034) (July 1997 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population:: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate

40.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: 70.08 years
male :: 68.04 years
female:: 72.21 years (1997 est.)

Nationality

noun :: Moroccan(s)
adjective:: Moroccan

Languages

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

Government

Constitutional monarchy; King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961); Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May 1994)

20 fields

Legislature, 111 seatsone dot, one seat

UC 27MP 18RNI 13MNP 11PND 10IP 7Party of Shura and Istiqlal 6USFP 4PPS 4CDT 4UTM 3UGTM 2SAP 2

Country name

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

36 provinces and 5 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Assa-Zag, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Es Smara, 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 : 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 HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961)
head of government:: Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May 1994)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers appointed by the king
elections:: none;
the king is a hereditary monarch;
prime minister appointed by the king

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Representatives or Majlis Nawab (333 seats; 222 elected by popular vote, 111 indirectly elected by an electoral college made up of government, professional, and labor representatives; members serve six-year terms);
note - bicameral legislature to be introduced in September 1997;
members of the upper house will be indirectly elected to serve nine-year terms, with one-third of the members renewed every three years;
members of the lower house will be directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms

elections:: popular elections last held 15 June 1993;
indirect elections last held 17 September 1993 (next election will be for the new bicameral legislature with both indirect and popular elections scheduled to be held in September 1997)
election results:: popular elections - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - USFP 48, IP 43, MP 33, RNI 28, UC 27, PND 14, MNP 14, PPS 6, PDI 3, SAP 2, PA 2, OADP 2;
indirect elections - percent of vote by party - NA;
seats by party - UC 27, MP 18, RNI 13, MNP 11, PND 10, IP 7, Party of Shura and Istiqlal 6, USFP 4, PPS 4, CDT 4, UTM 3, UGTM 2, SAP 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the king

Political parties and leaders

opposition :: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Abderrahman YOUSSFI;
Istiqlal Party (IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA;
Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali YATA;
Organization of Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID;
Democratic Socialist Party, Issa al-OUARDIGHI
pro-government:: Constitutional Union (UC), Abdelatif SEMLALI;
Popular Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER;
National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI;
National Popular Movement (MNP), Mahjoubi AHARDANE;
National Democratic Movement, Mohamed AARCHANE
independents:: National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN;
Democracy and Istiqlal Party (PDI), leader NA;
Action Party (PA), Abdullah SENHAJI;
Non-Obedience Candidates (SAP), leader NA labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections only) : Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), Nabir AMAOUI;
General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL;
Moroccan Union of Workers (UTM), Mahjoub BENSEDIQ;
Party of Shura and Istiqlal, Abdelwaheb MAASH;
Labor Union Commissions, leader NA

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA
chancery:: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone :: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982

FAX

[1] (202) 265-0161; consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG
embassy :: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
mailing address:: PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718
telephone:: [212] (7) 76 22 65

FAX

[212] (7) 76 56 61; consulate(s) general: Casablanca

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

Economy

Morocco faces the typical problems of developing | countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on | private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within | manageable bounds.

22 fields

Real growth rate

(1996 est.)industrial production growth: 4.5% (1996 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

(1996 est.)

Unemployment rate

20%

(1995 est.)

Labor force

7.4million

by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)

GDP - composition by sector(1994)

agriculture 21%industry 30%services 49% (1994)

Budget

Revenues

$10.4 billionExpenditures

$10.75 billion (1996 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Economy - overview

Morocco faces the typical problems of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within manageable bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors.

The dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions; reforms of the financial sector have been implemented; and 43 state enterprises have been privatized. Drought conditions in three of the last four years have depressed activity in the key agricultural sector, holding down exports and contributing to a 7.5% contraction in real GDP in 1995.

Favorable rainfall in 1996 nurtured a record wheat crop and contributed to the 9% overall growth. Servicing the large external debt, preparing the economy for freer trade with the European Union, and finding jobs for Morocco's youthful population remain long-term problems.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $97.6 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,260 (1996 est.)

Industries

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

Electricity - capacity

3.79 million kW (1994)

Electricity - production

10.17 billion kWh (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita

385 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Exports

total value:: $7.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities :: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17% (1995 est.)
partners :: EU 63%, Japan 7.7%, India 6.6%, US 3.4%, Libya 3.4% (1996 est.)

Imports

total value:: $9.8 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
commodities:: capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9% (1995 est.)
partners:: EU 57%, US 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Brazil 2.8% (1996 est.)

Debt - external

$23.4 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $297 million (1993) note : $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)

Currency

1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates

Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.018 (January 1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992)

Fiscal year

July 1-June 30

Communications

6 fields

Fixed lines

270,100

(1987 est.)

Telephone system

domestic:: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links;
principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat;
secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan
international :: 5 submarine cables;
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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 0

Radios

5.527 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations

26 (repeaters 26)

Televisions

1.21 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

9 fields

Merchant marine, 36 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1996 est.)

cargo 7chemical tanker 7container 2oil tanker 3refrigerated cargo 10roll-on/roll-off cargo 6short-sea passenger 1

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

total

35under 914 m

over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2

Railways

total:: 1,907 km
standard gauge:: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km double track) (1994)

Highways

total :: 60,513 km
paved:: 30,438 km (including 113 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 30,075 km (1995 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 362 km;
petroleum products 491 km (abandoned);
natural gas 241 km

Military

Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force)

7 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

4.1%

(1995)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue;
the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991;
Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of hashish;
trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets;
shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe;
transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe MOZAMBIQUE

Central Intelligence Agency. “Morocco.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/morocco/1997.

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