Morocco

This Page was last updated on the 25th. October, 2005.

 

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Country

Morocco

Official Name

Kingdom of Morocco (Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah)
Former Name Kingdom of Morocco (location has has attracted many outsiders such as Romans and Byzantine Greeks; Arabs began occupied country in 7th century A.D.; Alaouite dynasty has ruled Morocco since 1649; Portuguese controled Atlantic coast in 15th century; French interest in 1830; Algeciras Conference gave control to France and Spain in 1906; Treaty of Fez (1912) made Morocco a French protectorate, Spain given power over the northern and southern (Saharan) zones; moves for independence; French exiled Sultan Mohammed V and repleced him with Mohammed Ben Aarafa in 1953; Mohammed V returned in 1955; negotiations for independence began in 1956; Kingdom of Morocco gained independence from France on March 2, 1956; Moroccan control over Spanish-ruled areas restored after agreements in 1956 and 1958; ‘internationalized city’ of Tangier [Tangier Protocol] reintegrated on 29 October 1956; Spanish Ifni became part of Morocco in 1969; Spain retains control over Ceuta and Melilla in the north; Morocco annexed Western Sahara [former Spanish Sahara, status of territory still unresolved] in 1976 and 1979; political reforms in the 1990s.)

Capital

Rabat

Main Towns

Agadir, Casablanca, Fes, Kenitra, Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan

Subdivisions

14 regions: Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate
37 provinces: Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, 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, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit. 3 other provinces (Ad Dakhla [Oued Eddahab], Boujdour, Es Smara & parts of Tan-Tan & Laayoune) are in Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara (March 1997). 2 prefectures: Casablanca, Rabat-Sale.

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

Constitution 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996
National Holiday Throne Day (accession of King Mohamed VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

UN Membership

12 November 1956

OAU Membership

left November 1985 because of Western Sahara situation

Commonwealth

n/a

Other Organisations

In alphabetical order according to abbreviation/acronym: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA), Agency for the French-Speaking Community (ACCT), African Development Bank (AfDB or AFDB), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League (AL or League of Arab States), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Criminal Court (ICCt - signatory), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO - pending member), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (Intelsat), International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of American States (OAS - observer), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE - partner), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Confederation of Labour (WCL), World Customs Organization (WCO, former Customs Cooperation Council [CCC]), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Tourism Organisation (WToO), World Trade Organisation (WTrO).

Population

World Bank Figures: 28,238,000 (1999), 28,705,000 (2000), 29,170,000 (2001), 29,640,542 (2002), 30,112,644 (2003)
Other Sources: 29,158,848 (July 1995), 30,645,305 (July 2001 est.), 31,689,265 (July 2003 est.) 29,891,708 (2004 est.) 32,725,847 (July 2005 est.)

Area

172,414 sq. mls. (446,550 sq. kms.)

Density

56 per sq.km. (1995)

Highest Point

Mt. Toubkai 13,665 ft. (4,165 m.)

Lowest Point

Sebkha Tah -180 ft. (-55 m.)

Neighbours

Algeria (E), Western Sahara (S)

Life Expectancy

65 years (1995), total population:  69.43 years, male:  67.2 years, female:  71.76 years (2001 est.)
total population: 70.04 years, male: 67.77 years, female: 72.41 years (2003 est.)
total population: 70.66 years male: 68.35 years female: 73.07 years (2005 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate total: 44.87 deaths/1,000 live births, female: 40.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.), male: 48.76 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 41.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2001 est.) deaths: NA

Adult Literacy Rate

total population:  43.7%, male:  56.6%, female:  31% (1995 est.)
total population: 51.7%, male: 64.1%, female: 39.4% (2003 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French (business, government, & diplomacy)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 98.7% Of the 70,000 Christians (1.1%) most are Roman Catholics. Jewish 0.2% about 20,000.

Type of Government

Constitutional monarchy

President

King Mohammed VI (head of state since 30 July 1999 [25/10/2005])

Prime Minister

Driss Jettou (head of government, since 9 October 2002 [25/10/2005])

Political Parties

Political parties: Action Party (PA); Alliance of Liberties (ADL); Annahj Addimocrati (Annahj); Avant Garde Social Democratic Party (PADS); Citizen Forces (FC); Citizen's Initiatives for Development; Constitutional Union (UC); Democratic and Independence Party (PDI); Democratic and Social Movement (MDS); Democratic Socialist Party (PSD); Democratic Union (UD); Environment and Development Party (PED); Front of Democratic Forces (FFD); Istiqlal Party (Independence Party or PI); Justice and Development Party (formerly the Constitutional and Democratic Popular Movement or PJD); Moroccan Liberal Party (PML); National Democratic Party (PND); National Ittihadi Congress Party (CNI); National Popular Movement (MNP); National Rally of Independents (RNI); National Union of Popular Forces (UNFP); Parti Al Ahd (Al Ahd); Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS); Party of Renewal and Equity (PRE); Party of the Unified Socialist Left (GSU); Popular Movement (MP); Reform and Development Party (PRD); Social Center Party (PSC); Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP).
Political pressure groups: Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT); General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM); Moroccan Employers Association (CGEM); National Labor Union of Morocco (UNMT); Union of Moroccan Workers (UMT).

Ruling Party

Chamber of Counselors (since 15 September 2000), Chamber of Representatives (since 14 November 1997)

Currency

Moroccan Dirham (DH, MAD)(100 centimes)
Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003), 11.021 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000)

GDP

US$1,119 (1992) US$32,412m (1995)
GDP: US$50.08 billion (2004)
purchasing power parity - US$134.6 billion (2004 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$3,900 (2002 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$4,200 (2004 est.)

GNP

US$1,080 (1992) US$1,100 (1994) US$1,110 (1995)

Per Capita Income Per capita GDP: US$1,678.00 GNI per capita: US$1,520 (2003)
Population Below Poverty Line 19% (1999 est.)
Land Use arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 2.17% other: 78.22% (2001) Irrigated land: 12,910 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural Resources phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Oil and Natural Gas Oil production: 400 bbl/day (2001 est.) 1,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
consumption: 167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
exports: NA (2001) imports: NA (2001)
proved reserves: 900,000 bbl (January 2002 est.) 300 million bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:
50 million cu m (2001 est.)
consumption: 50 million cu m (2001 est.)
exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)
proved reserves: 665.4 million cu m (January 2002 est.) 665.4 million cu m (2004)
Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned); natural gas 241 km
Pipelines: gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2004)
Military Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,595,797 (2003 est.)
males age 18-49: 7,908,864 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.4 billion, 4% of GDP (FY99/00) US$2,305.6 million, 5% of GDP (2003)
Economic Aid Received US$565.6 million (1995) ODA US$218 million (2002)
Aid per Capita (World Bank): US$24 (1999), US$15 (2000), US$18 (2001), US$16 (2002), US$17 (2003)
The amount of USAID assistance to Morocco in FY 2005 was $28.2 million. USAID’s current multi-sectoral strategy (2004-2008) consists of three strategic objectives in economic growth and job creation, basic education and workforce training, and government responsiveness to citizen needs. Funding for the five-year strategy has been approved at $99.4 million.

Debt

Moderately indebted
World Bank Figures: US$15,987,200,000 (2000), US$14,694,099,968 (2001), US$17,049,600,000 (2002), US$17,536,700,416 (2003)
Other Sources: US$25.5bn (1995) US$18.4 bn (2000 est.) US$17.7 billion (2002 est.) US$17.07 billion (2004 est.)

Major Imports

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics

Imports from

France 23%, Spain 11%, Italy 6%, Germany 5%, UK 5%, Iraq 4%, Saudi Arabia 4%, (2001)
France 21.2%, Spain 14.9%, Germany 7.3%, Italy 6.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, China 4.8% (2004) US$15.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Major Exports

clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables

Exports to

France 27%, Spain 13%, UK 8%, Germany 6%, Italy 6%, US 6%, India 3% (2001)
France 25.3%, Spain 18.4%, UK 8%, Italy 4.9%, Germany 4.6%, US 4.6% (2004) US$9.754 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

We try to have each fact sheet up to date and as accurate as possible.
If you notice any mistakes, or have suggestions on items which could be added, please let us know by emailing to: suttonlink@dial.pipex.com

The White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield, 25 October, 2005

Page 34 of 61

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