1996 Edition

Description

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam

Location

32 00 N, 5 00 W -- Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly larger than California

land area

446,300 sq km

total area

446,550 sq km

Climate

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Coastline

1,835 km

Environment

current issues

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

international agreements

party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

natural hazards

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

Geographic coordinates

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Geographic note

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

International disputes

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

Irrigated land

12,650 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km

note

excludes the length of the boundary between the places of sovereignty and Morocco

total

2,002 km

Land use

arable land

18%

forest and woodland

12%

meadows and pastures

28%

other

41%

permanent crops

1%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Terrain

northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

highest point

Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

lowest point

Sebkha Tah -55 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 38% (male 5,696,731; female 5,522,077) 15-64 years: 58% (male 8,577,918; female 8,700,521) 65 years and over: 4% (male 613,712; female 668,197) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

27.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

5.77 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

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

Infant mortality rate

43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

Life expectancy at birth

female

71.61 years (1996 est.)

male

67.53 years

total population

69.52 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

female

31%

male

56.6%

total population

43.7%

Nationality

adjective

Moroccan

noun

Moroccan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

29,779,156 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

2.05% (1996 est.)

Religions

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Sex ratio

all ages

1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

36 provinces and 5 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Assa-Zag, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Es Smara, 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

Capital

Rabat

Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab)

two-thirds elected by direct, universal suffrage and one-third by an electoral college of government, professional, and labor representatives; direct, popular elections last held 15 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (333 total, 222 directly elected) USFP 48, IP 43, MP 33, RNI 28, UC 27, PND 14, MNP 14, PPS 6, PDI 3, SAP 2, PA 2, OADP 2; indirect, special interest elections last held 17 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (333 total, 111 indirectly elected) UC 27, MP 18, RNI 13, MNP 11, PND 10, IP 7, Party of Shura and Istiqlal 6, USFP 4, PPS 4, CDT 4, UTM 3, UGTM 2, SAP 2

Constitution

10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992

Data code

MO

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA

telephone

[1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers was appointed by the king

chief of state

King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961) is a hereditary monarch

head of government

Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May 1994) was appointed by the king

FAX

[1] (202) 265-0161

[212] (7) 76 56 61

consulate(s) general

New York

consulate(s) general

Casablanca

Flag

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

International organization participation

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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the king

Legal system

based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form

Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form

Morocco

local long form

Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form

Al Maghrib

National holiday

National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King HASSAN II's accession to the throne)

Political parties and leaders

independents

National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN; Democracy and Istiqlal Party (PDI), leader NA; Action Party (PA), Abdullah SENHAJI; Non-Obedience Candidates (SAP), leader NA labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections: Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), Nabir AMAOUI; General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL; Moroccan Union of Workers (UTM), leader NA; Party of Shura and Istiqlal, leader NA

opposition

Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Mohammad al-YAZGHI; Istiqlal Party (IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali YATA; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID

pro-government

Constitutional Union (UC), Maati BOUABID; Popular Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; National Popular Movement (MNP), Mahjoubi AHARDANE

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Type of government

constitutional monarchy

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG

embassy

2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat

mailing address

PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718

telephone

[212] (7) 76 22 65

Agriculture

barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Budget

expenditures

$8.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

revenues

$8.1 billion

Currency

1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

Economic aid

note

$2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)

recipient

ODA, $297 million (1993)

Economic overview

Morocco faces the typical problems of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The

economy has substantial assets to draw on

the world's largest phosphate reserves, diverse agricultural and fishing resources, a sizable tourist industry, a growing manufacturing sector, and remittances from Moroccans working abroad. A severe drought in 1992-93 depressed economic activity and held down exports. Real GDP contracted by 4.4% in 1992 and 1.1% in 1993. Despite these setbacks, initiatives to relax capital controls, strengthen the banking sector, and privatize state enterprises went forward in 1993-94. Favorable rainfall in 1994 boosted agricultural production by 40%. In 1995, Morocco suffered from a drought said to be the worst in 30 years. Servicing the large debt, high unemployment, and vulnerability to external economic forces remain long-term problems for Morocco.

Electricity

capacity

2,620,000 kW

consumption per capita

361 kWh (1993)

production

9.9 billion kWh

Exchange rates

Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January 1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991)

Exports

$4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)

commodities

food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17%

partners

EC 70%, Japan 5%, US 4%, Libya 3%, India 2% (1993)

External debt

$20.5 billion (1994 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $87.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

14.3%

industry

32.2%

services

53.5% (1993 est.)

GDP per capita

$3,000 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

-6.5% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe

Imports

$7.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)

commodities

capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9%

partners

EC 59%, US 8%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 3%, Russia 2% (1993)

Industrial production growth rate

0.1%

Industries

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.4% (1994)

Labor force

7.4 million

by occupation

agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)

Unemployment rate

16% (1994 est.)

Branches

Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $1.38 billion, 4.1% of GDP (1995)

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

7,541,745

males fit for military service

4,782,028

males reach military age (18) annually

330,344 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 0

Radios

5.527 million (1992 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan

international

5 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

Telephones

270,100 (1987 est.)

Television broadcast stations

26 (repeaters 26)

Televisions

1.21 million (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

63

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

7

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

4

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

2

with paved runways over 3 047 m

11

with paved runways under 914 m

12

with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

11

with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

15 (1995 est.)

Heliports

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

29,440 km (including 73 km of expressways)

total

59,474 km

unpaved

30,034 km (1991 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 8, chemical tanker 7, container 2, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 9, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)

total

37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 175,962 GRT/257,449 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned); natural gas 241 km

Ports

Agadir, Al Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla

Railways

standard gauge

1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km double track) (1994)

total

1,907 km