Page last updated on February 3, 2014
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Although Morocco is not the UN-recognized Administering Power for the Western Sahara, it exercises de facto administrative control over 80% of the territory. The UN since 1991 has monitored a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and leads ongoing negotiations over the status of the territory. King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2012, the Justice and Development Party - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government.
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
total: 446,550 sq km
country comparison to the world: 58
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km
slightly larger than California
total: 2,017.9 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
arable land: 17.79%
permanent crops: 2.6%
other: 79.61% (2011)
total: 12.61 cu km/yr (12%/4%/84%)
per capita: 428.1 cu m/yr (2005)
northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
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
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%
Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
Muslim 99% (official), Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000
32,649,130 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
0-14 years: 27.1% (male 4,489,297/female 4,353,921)
15-24 years: 18% (male 2,918,765/female 2,951,131)
25-54 years: 41.7% (male 6,590,575/female 7,033,013)
55-64 years: 7% (male 1,135,921/female 1,135,747)
65 years and over: 6.3% (male 919,236/female 1,121,524) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 48.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 41.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 %
potential support ratio: 13.5 (2013)
total: 27.7 years
male: 27.1 years
female: 28.2 years (2013 est.)
1.04% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
18.73 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
4.78 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
-3.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
urban population: 57% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Casablanca 3.245 million; RABAT (capital) 1.77 million; Fes 1.044 million; Marrakech 909,000; Tangier 768,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 71
total: 25.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 75
male: 30.04 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 76.31 years
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 73.25 years
female: 79.53 years (2013 est.)
2.17 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 109
0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
26,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
1,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
16.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
3.1% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 111
5.4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 56
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.1%
male: 76.1%
female: 57.6% (2011 est.)
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2010)
total number: 500,960
percentage: 8 % (2007 est.)
total: 18.6%
country comparison to the world: 65
male: 18.4%
female: 19.2% (2012)
conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
name: Rabat
geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in September
15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate
note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region that falls entirely within Western Sahara
2 March 1956 (from France)
Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011; note - sources disagree on whether the 2011 referendum was for a new constitution or for reforms to the previous constitution (2011)
mixed legal system of civil law based on French law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abdelillah BENKIRANE (since 29 November 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister as well as Minister Delegates to each ministry appoined by the Palace
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
bicameral Parliament consists of the Chamber of Counsilors (or upper house) (270 seats - to be reduced to a maximum of 120; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (395 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held on 3 October 2009 (next to be held in mid-2013); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PJD 107, PI 60, RNI 52, PAM 47, USFP 39, MP 32, UC 23, PPS 18, other 17
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary
subordinate courts: courts of appeal; regional and sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication)
Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]
Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohammed Rachad BOUHLAL (since 22 December 2011)
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979
FAX: [1] (202) 462-7643
consulate(s) general: New York
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew LUSSENHOP (since July 2013)
embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat
mailing address: Unit 9400, Box 021, DPO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (537) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (537) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates to 1912
name: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)
lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN
note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970
Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to build a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. In the 1980s Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although a poor harvest and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown in 2012. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable 40% of electricity output by 2020. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the European Union in 2008. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. In 2011 and 2012, high prices on fuel - which is subsidized and almost entirely imported - strained the government''s budget and widened the country''s current account deficit. Key economic challenges for Morocco include fighting corruption and reforming the education system, the judiciary, and the government''s costly subsidy program.
$168.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$94.83 billion (2012 est.)
2.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$5,200 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
25.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
household consumption: 59.7%
government consumption: 19.2%
investment in fixed capital: 31.4%
investment in inventories: 3.9%
exports of goods and services: 36.2%
imports of goods and services: -50.4%
agriculture: 15.1%
industry: 31.7%
services: 53.2% (2012 est.)
barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives; livestock; wine
phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism
0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
11.53 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
agriculture: 44.6%
industry: 19.8%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)
40.9 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
revenues: $25.35 billion
expenditures: $33.32 billion (2012 est.)
26.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
-8.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
71.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
6.3% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$71.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$107.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$111.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$60.09 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 49
$-9.843 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
$16.99 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish
France 21%, Spain 17.3%, Brazil 5.4%, India 4.9%, US 4.6% (2012)
$38.88 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
Spain 13.1%, France 12.1%, China 6.9%, US 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%, Italy 5.1%, Russia 5%, Germany 4.9% (2012)
$17.54 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$32.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$48.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$2.423 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar -
21.13 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
23.61 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
3.94 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
6.62 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
69.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
19.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
4.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
5,057 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
122,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
680,000 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 98
131,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
203,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
20,830 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
143,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
60 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
560 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
150 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
1.444 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 101
43.71 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
3.28 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 47
39.016 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 31
general assessment: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay; Internet available but expensive
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 212; landing point for the Atlas Offshore, Estepona-Tetouan, Euroafrica, Spain-Morocco, and SEA-ME-WE-3 fiber-optic telecommunications undersea cables that provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; 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; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (2011)
2 TV broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks with RTM operating one; the government-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2007)
277,338 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 66
13.213 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
55 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 86
total: 31
over 3,047 m: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)
total: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m:
gas 944 km; oil 270 km; refined products 175 km (2013)
total: 2,067 km
country comparison to the world: 70
standard gauge: 2,067 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008)
total: 58,395 km
country comparison to the world: 74
paved: 41,116 km (includes 1,080 km of expressways)
unpaved: 17,279 km (2010)
total: 26
country comparison to the world: 88
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, container 6, passenger/cargo 14, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 14 (France 3, Germany 1, Italy 1, Spain 9)
registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2010)
major seaport(s): Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier
container port(s) (TEUs): Tangier (2,093,408)
Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya; Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2010)
20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (2012)
males age 16-49: 8,252,682
females age 16-49: 8,691,419 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 7,026,016
females age 16-49: 7,377,045 (2010 est.)
male: 300,327
female: 298,366 (2010 est.)
3.55% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 42
claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island); discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; the National Liberation Front's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco is a dormant dispute
current situation: Morocco is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Moroccan adults and children are exploited for forced labor and forced prostitution in the Middle East and Europe; some Moroccan girls recruited to work as maids experience conditions of forced labor, while some Moroccan boys are forced to work as apprentices in the artisan and construction industries and in mechanic shops; women and children from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia who voluntarily enter Morocco are subsequently coerced into prostitution or, less frequently, domestic service; women and children from Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria are also vulnerable to sex trafficking and, to a lesser extent, forced labor in Morocco
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Morocco does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government does not demonstrate progress in investigating, prosecuting, convicting, and adequately punishing trafficking offenders and has failed to provide law enforcement data; it has not developed or employed systematic procedures to proactively identify trafficking victims among vulnerable groups, particularly the sub-Saharan migrant community, but has made some efforts to offer protective services to Moroccan women and child trafficking victims; Morocco continues to lack a single comprehensive anti-trafficking law (2013)
