Facts: [ General Information ] [ Communications ] [ Public Holidays ] [ Duty Free ] [ Currency ]
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| Location: | North Africa. |
| Area: | 710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles). |
| Population: | 33.8 million (UN estimate 2007). |
| Population Density: | 48 per sq km. |
| Capital: | Rabat.
Population: 1.6 million (2005 estimate). |
| Government: | Constitutional monarchy since 1956, when Morocco gained independence from France. |
| Geography: | Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east, Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the southwest and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain range, which leads to the fertile plains and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over 3,000m (9,850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north coast. The ports of Ceuta (Sebta) and Melilla on the north coast are administered by Spain. |
| Language: | The official language is Moroccan Arabic, but Berber languages are spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and major tourist destinations like Marrakech. |
| Religion: | Predominantly Muslim with Jewish, Christian and Hindu minorities. Morocco’s population and culture is a blend of religious and cultural traditions, encompassing Berber, Arab, African, Mediterranean and Jewish influences. |
| Time: | GMT. |
| Social Conventions: | Greetings involve a handshake and friendly inquiries after health, happiness and family, and no business is discussed until after these pleasantries. Friends may tack on a cheek air-kiss or two. Moroccan chattiness makes everyday interactions more pleasant, if longer; patience and extroversion are assets. In the souks, vendors to call out to customers, joke around and strike up conversations before bargaining begins. When offered tea, it’s polite to take a sip. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits, shorts, sleeveless tops and clingy clothing should be confined to the beach or poolside for both men and women. Women travelling alone will get around fine, and can expect help, friendship and the occasional offer of marriage. Sexual relations outside marriage (including homosexual conduct) are theoretically punishable by law, but this is rarely enforced. Smoking is widespread, though sometimes limited to smoking sections in restaurants. Drinking alcohol in view of a mosque is frowned on and alcohol licences are expensive, but alcohol is often served discreetly indoors or on terraces. |
| Electricity: | 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building. |
| Head of Government: | Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi since 2007. |
| Head of State: | King Mohammed VI since 1999. |
| Recent History: | Since King Mohammed VI was enthroned in 1999, the country has instituted sweeping political and economic changes. Although poverty is still widespread and unemployment remains high, initiatives to attract foreign investment and tourism are bringing new opportunities to urban areas. The human rights record is markedly improved from the previous regime, and today ranks among the cleanest across Africa and the Middle East. Women have benefitted from education initiatives and expanded rights, and new protections for Berber (Amazigh) culture include the introduction of Tamazight (written Berber) in schools. Morocco’s parliament has only nominal power, but the country’s first municipal elections in 2002 were hailed as a step towards democratisation. Islamist and other political factions are closely monitored, as is the news media. Two territorial disputes remain: the Western Sahara, claimed by the indigenous Sahrawi Polisario Front, and the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast. |
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| Telephone: | Country code: 212. Privately run téléboutiques can be found throughout the country, with an attendant to provide advice, change and phonecards. |
| Mobile Telephone: | Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco. |
| Internet: | Access is widely available in business centres, hotels and in Internet cafes. |
| Media: | The press is subject to government censorship in Morocco, and although King Mohammed VI eased some restrictions on the press when he came to power, issues such as Western Sahara, the monarchy and corruption remain sensitive. The government manages Morocco’s two television networks, although it plans to allow private investment in state-run broadcasters and the official news agency. Satellite dishes are widely used, giving access to a range of foreign TV stations.
WESTERN SAHARA:
National Radio of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic broadcasts in Arabic and Spanish; the station supports the Polisario Front. |
| Post: | Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0830-1400. |
| Press: |  Daily newspapers are published in French and Arabic.
The main French newspapers are: L’Economiste, Le Matin, Libération and Le Journal.
The main Arabic newspapers are Al Anbaa and Assabah. |
| Radio: | State-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) has regional and national services.
Tangier-based Medi 1 is privately owned by Moroccan and French concerns, and has programmes in Arabic and French. |
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Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Fatih Muharram (Muslim New Year).
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence.
20 Mar Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday).
1 May Labour Day.
30 Jul Feast of the Throne.
14 Aug Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day).
20 Aug Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (Anniversary of the King and the People’s Revolution).
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday.
2 Oct Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March).
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day).
9 Dec Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Fatih Muharram (Muslim New Year).
2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence.
9 Mar Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday).
1 May Labour Day.
30 Jul Feast of the Throne.
14 Aug Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day).
20 Aug Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (Anniversary of the King and the People’s Revolution).
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday.
21 Sep Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March).
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day).
28 Nov Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
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| Note: | Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon, and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Aïd al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted until the end of Aïd al-Fitr. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha may last two to 10 days, depending on the region. |
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| Overview: | The following goods may be imported into Morocco without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco.
1l of spirits and 1l of wine.
5g of perfume. |
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| Currency: | Moroccan Dirham (MAD; symbol Dh) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes. |
| Currency Exchange: | Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco. The most convenient way to obtain Dirhams is through an ATM, where official rates automatically apply, but daily withdrawal limits can seem low for customers paying cash for rugs in the souks. National currencies should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (identified by a golden sign); changing money in the street is illegal. There is no commission charge and visitors will be issued with a receipt which they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back into the original national currency upon departure. |
| Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs: | Some credit cards are accepted in larger restaurants, hotels, guest houses and the occasional shop in the souks. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in larger towns. |
| Traveller's Cheques: | To avoid additional exchange rate surcharges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. |
| Currency Restrictions: | Restrictions apply. |
| Banking Hours: | Mon-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1500-1830, Fri 0830-1200 and 1500-1830. |
| Exchange Rate Indicators: |
| Date |
Oct 08 |
| £1.00= |
Dh14.37 |
| $1.00= |
Dh8.25 |
| €1.00= |
Dh11.20 |
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