Morocco (in Arabic, Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah), hereditary monarchy, bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east and south-east by Algeria, on the south by Western Sahara, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The south-eastern boundary, in the Sahara Desert, is not precisely defined. Within Morocco are the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on the Mediterranean coast. Several small islands off the northern coast of Morocco are also possessions of Spain. From 1912 to 1956 Morocco itself was divided into French and Spanish protectorates. The area of Morocco is 446,550 sq km (172,414 sq mi). Since 1979, Morocco has also occupied the adjacent country known as Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara). Rabat is the capital of Morocco.
Official Name - Kingdom of Morocco
37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, 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, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit
Three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara; 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
Arabized Berbers are Morocco's predominant ethnolinguistic group, and many of them speak both Arabic and Berber. Less-assimilated Berbers make up about one-third of the population and live in the mountains, where the Berber language has been preserved. They fall into three groups: the Rif people of the Rif Mountains, the Tamazight of the Middle Atlas, and the Shluh of the High Atlas and the Sous valley. The country's French and Spanish minorities have diminished significantly since Morocco's independence in 1956; other minorities include Bedouin Arabs and blacks. Most of the country's substantial Jewish minority had immigrated to the state of Israel by the late 20th century. Arabic is the nation's official language. Most Moroccans are Sunnite Muslims of the Malikite order.
Morocco's population growth rate is relatively high, although it is below average for the Middle East and North African region. The government tried to initiate family-planning programs in the 1960s to reduce the country's high birth rate, but they were largely rejected by the Muslim culture. Two-fifths of the population is younger than 15 years of age, increasing the burden on those of working age.
The history of the region comprising present-day Morocco has been shaped by the interaction of the original Berber population and the various foreign peoples who successively invaded the country. The first of the foreign invaders well known to history were the Phoenicians, who in the 12th century bc established trading posts on the Mediterranean coast of the region. These colonies were later taken over and extended by the Carthaginians. The conquest of Carthage by Rome, in the 2nd century bc, led to Roman dominance of the Mediterranean coast of Africa. About ad 42 the northern portion of what is now Morocco was incorporated into the Roman Empire as the province of Mauretania Tingitana. In the Germanic invasions that attended the decline of the Roman Empire, the Vandals in 429 occupied Mauretania Tingitana. The Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals in 533 and established Byzantine rule in parts of the country.
In the late 7th century the Muslim invasion from the east reached Morocco. In 740 the Berbers revolted against the rule of the Umayyads of Damascus, and the Berbers remained independent of Umayyad and Abbasid rule. After some three centuries of local wars of conquest and shifting control, a Berber confederation known as the Almoravids conquered all of Morocco in the middle of the 11th century and enforced their rule over the Muslim areas of Spain as well. In the early 12th century another Berber clan, the Almohads, revolted against the Almoravid dynasty and became the rulers of Morocco and all Muslim Spain. They were gradually driven from Spain in the 13th century and were defeated in Morocco in 1269 by the Marinids. Under the Marinids' rule, which lasted to the mid-15th century, Muslim mysticism, or Sufism, developed in Morocco. After the fall of the Marinids the country was divided into small independent states until the Sa'dis established their rule over Morocco for a century after about 1550.
During 1974 and 1975 Morocco exerted much pressure on Spain to relinquish Spanish Sahara. When the Spanish left in 1976, they ceded the northern two-thirds of the colony to Morocco, while Mauritania received the southern third. This disposal of the phosphate-rich territory was disputed by the Polisario Front, a Saharan nationalist guerrilla movement, which proclaimed Western Sahara an independent nation, called the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Although burdened by the ensuing guerrilla warfare, Morocco resolved to continue the fight alone after Mauritania decided to withdraw from the conflict in 1979. Faced with mounting international opposition, King Hassan nevertheless committed additional troops and resources to the effort to protect the phosphate mines and major towns from Polisario harassment. In 1984 Morocco quit the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to protest its seating of a Polisario delegation. Efforts by the United Nations (UN) to mediate the dispute continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. A cease-fire was implemented in Western Sahara in 1991, and a UN-sponsored referendum on self-determination was postponed repeatedly due to disagreements over voter eligibility. In the early and mid-1990s Morocco was criticized by the Polisario Front for encouraging Moroccans to migrate to Western Sahara in hopes of having them counted as eligible voters.
Morocco has felt the influences of several ancient cultures. Excavations have unearthed elements of the Phoenician, Hellenic, Carthaginian, and Roman civilizations. Christianity spread to this region in Roman times and survived the Arab invasion, but Arabic influences, which began in the 7th century, were to prove the strongest. The Arabs brought to Morocco a written language that is still the primary language of business and culture. The western African influence, seen in dances, spread northward with trade. Among more recent influences, the strongest is that of France.
The production of Arabic literature in Morocco has continued to grow and diversify. To the traditional genres—poetry, essays, and historiography—have been added forms inspired by Middle Eastern and Western literary models. Since 1956, when Morocco achieved independence, painting, sculpture, and amateur theatre have flourished. Painting is centred at the two schools of fine arts in Casablanca and Tetouan. Moroccan music includes Arab, Berber, popular, and classical forms.
The original population of Morocco was Berber, and about three-quarters of all present-day Moroccans are of Berber descent. Arabs, who constitute the bulk of the inhabitants of the larger cities, form the second largest ethnic group. Considerable intermarriage among Arabs, Berbers, and the country’s small number of black Africans has broken down differences among ethnic groups. Morocco has about 100,000 Europeans, most of them French. The rural population in 1999 was 45 percent of the country’s total.
Morocco is a mountainous country that has an average elevation of 2,600 feet (800 m) above sea level. Two northeast-southwest–trending mountain chains, the Rif along the northern coast and the Atlas in the centre, divide eastern Morocco from Atlantic Morocco to the west. Morocco's mountains are the highest in northern Africa and occupy more than one-third of the nation's total land area. The crescent-shaped range of the Rif rises to 8,058 feet (2,456 m) at Mount Tidirhine on the Mediterranean coast. In the centre of the country are the Atlas Mountains, with an average elevation of 11,000 feet (3,350 m). The median of their three chains includes Mount Toubkal (13,665 feet [4,165 m]), the highest peak in Morocco.
The mountainous regions of Morocco contain extensive areas of forest, including large stands of cork oak, evergreen oak, juniper, cedar, fir, and pine. Except for areas under cultivation, the plains are usually covered with scrub brush and alfa grass. On the plain of Sous, near the southern border, is a large forest of argan, thorny trees found principally in Morocco.
Moroccan wildlife represents a mingling of European and African species. Of the animals characteristic of Europe, the fox, rabbit, otter, and squirrel abound; of predominantly African types, the gazelle, wild boar, panther, baboon, wild goat, and horned viper are common.
Morocco is primarily an agricultural country, although only 20 percent of the land is cultivated. In 1999 gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $35 billion, or $1,240 per person. The government’s budget in 1997 included revenues of $9.4 billion and expenditures of $11 billion.
Agriculture accounts for less than one-fifth of the gross domestic product (GDP) but employs two-fifths of the workforce. Land reform that was initiated in 1963 has benefited only a limited number of peasants; Europeans whose land was expropriated have been partially indemnified. Most farms in Morocco are small and are worked by families. Government-subsidized irrigated farms produce citrus fruits, wine, and vegetables for export. Harvests of barley and wheat, the chief staples, fluctuate from year to year and do not meet domestic demand; sugar beets are also a major crop. The productivity of sheep, goats, and cattle is generally low, and milk must be imported. During the 1980s Morocco developed its fishing industry, with most of the catch consisting of sardines and mackerel from the Atlantic Ocean.
Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable economic growth. Following structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions, and reforms of the financial sector have been implemented. Drought conditions depressed activity in the key agricultural sector and contributed to a stagnant economy in 1999 and 2000. During that time, however, Morocco reported large foreign exchange inflows from the sale of a mobile telephone license and partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company. Favorable rainfalls have led Morocco to predict a growth of 1% for 2001. Formidable long-term challenges include: servicing the external debt; preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU; and improving education and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Morocco's youthful population.
modern system with all important capabilities; however density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each 100 persons
domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay
international: 7 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; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia (1998).
The Berber languages, once dominant throughout Morocco, have declined in importance, and in the early 1990s about 25 percent of the people used Berber as their first language. Many of these people also spoke Arabic, the country’s official language, which is the primary language of some 75 percent of the population. Numerous Moroccans also use French and Spanish.
Action Party or PA [Muhammad IDRISS]; Constitutional Union or UC [leader NA]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Thami KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Issa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Party for Independence or PDI [Thami EL-OUAZZANI, Said BOUACHRINE]; Istiqlal Party or IP [Abbas El-FASSI]; Labor Party or UT [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or PND [Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action or OADP [Mohamed BEN SAID ait Idder]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Moulay Ismail ALAOUI]; Popular Constitutional and Democratic Movement or MPCD (has become Party of Justice and Development or PJD) [Dr. Abdelkarim KHATIB]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Social Democratic Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abd ar-Rahman EL-YOUSSOUFI]
Morocco is a hereditary monarchy, governed under a constitution promulgated in 1996. Replacing an amended 1972 constitution, the 1996 constitution is nominally more democratic. Under the 1972 constitution, one-third of the members of parliament were indirectly elected, and tended to support the wishes of the monarchy. This existing legislative body was reorganized by the 1996 constitution to become entirely popularly elected. The new constitution also created a second, indirectly elected “advisory” legislative body, however, effectively ensuring the supremacy of the king.
International organization Member
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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Schooling is compulsory in Morocco for children between the ages of 7 and 16. Some 73 percent of girls and 95 percent of boys attend primary school; only 39 percent of secondary-school-age Moroccans actually attend secondary school. Arabic is the main language of instruction, and French is also used in secondary schools. In 2001 it was estimated that 69 percent of the population was literate. In the 1996 school year 3.2 million pupils attended primary schools; 1.4 million students were enrolled in secondary and vocational schools.
Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 8,182,073 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,160,374 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 348,380 (2001 est.)
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.
