Map
Summary Data
| summary data |
|
| Total Area (km2) |
446,550 |
| Land (km2) |
446,300 |
| Water (km2) |
250 |
| Population |
34,343,219 |
| Population Density (/km2) |
77 |
| Capital |
Rabat |
| Religion (%) |
Muslim 98.7%
Christian 1.1%
Jewish 0.2% |
| Time |
GMT |
| Climate |
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme
in the interior. |
Source: CIA World Factbook
Geography
Morocco lies in North Africa, with its borders touching the
Mediterranean Sea and Spain in the north, Algeria in the east and
the Atlantic Ocean in the west. A large part of Morocco is
mountainous with four different mountain ranges within the country.
The Atlas Mountains are located in the centre and to the south of
the country, whilst the rest of Morocco comprises rich coastal
plains and Sahara desert.
Government
Since the death of King Hassan in July 1999, his son King
Mohammed has ruled and taken drastic steps to change the way in
which Morocco is governed. As a result, the country's outlook has
become more transparent and democratic.
King Mohammed also serves as Morocco's spiritual and moral guide
due to his direct lineage with Prophet Mohammed, the founder of
Islam.
There are 29 officially recognized political parties in Morocco.
The political leaning of a majority of these parties is left of
centre, but several parties, including the Movement Populaire, the
country's largest, are pro-monarchy. Islamists are represented by
the Parti de la Justice et du Development. The king has the power
to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and members of the
cabinet.
Language
The official language in Morocco is Arabic but French is the
most dominant business language used in central and southern
Morocco. Spanish is often spoken in the north of the country and
English is fairly widely spoken due to the growing tourism
industries.
The original Berber languages, once dominant throughout Morocco,
are heard less and less across the country. Only 25% of Moroccans
were using a Berber language as their first language in the early
1990's.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European plugs.
Passports/Visa
British citizens do not require a visa to enter Morocco as long
as the intended stay is no longer than 90 days. If staying longer
than three consecutive months you must apply for an extension from
the foreign registration department at the local police station.
The other option is to leave Morocco and re-enter the country
giving you another 90 days stay.
The foreign registration department also issues residence
permits, and applicants are advised to apply within two weeks of
entering Morocco. Those applying later than this may risk
the 90 days allocated stay running out before residency is granted.
A residence permit is valid for ten years from the start of
issue.
Foreigners are allowed to work in Morocco as long as their
employer can prove that the job being applied for cannot be filled
by a Moroccan national. The process can be time consuming and all
applications must be made by the employer on the employee's
behalf.
Passports must be valid for six months after entry to Morocco.
The border between Algeria and Morocco is closed and no attempt to
cross it should be made.
Passport/Visa Information
Moroccan Embassy UK
49 Queen's Gate Gardens,
London SW7 5NE,
Consular Section
Diamond House,
97/99 Praed Street,
London W2.
Telephone: (020) 7581 5001/4 (020) 7724
0719 Email: mail@sifamaldn.org Office Hours: Mon–Fri: 0930–1700
Airports and Airlines
Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)
- Location: Situated in Nouasseur, a suburb 30
km south-east of Casablanca.
- Time: GMT.
- Contacts: 081 000224.
- Transfer to the city: Hourly trains depart
from terminal 1 to the city. A taxi rank is located in the arrivals
area.
- Parking: Parking is available.
- Website:
http://www.onda.ma/ONDA/Fr/Espaces/EspacePassagers/LeReseauAeroportuaireONDA/Lesaeroports/Fiches+d'identité+par+aéroport/CASABLANCA/
Standard of Living
Morocco is a wealthy country with an economy that should provide
its people with a good standard of living. Since ascending the
throne, King Mohammed VI has tackled issues including improvement
of education, health and human rights, the abomination of
corruption and a bid to create transparency within the government.
However over half of the population is still involved in petty
agriculture and the rural standard of living is minimal. Many
teenagers are illiterate and malnutrition is a major problem.
Principal commercial centres and towns
| population by city/town 2007 |
|
| Casablanca |
2,933,684 |
| Rabat |
1,622,860 |
| Fes |
946,815 |
| Marrakech |
823,154 |
| Agadir |
678,596 |
| Tanger |
669,985 |
Source: Wikipedia
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