2012 Edition

Background

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. Morocco annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Under King MOHAMMED VI - who in 1999 succeeded his father to the throne - human rights have improved. Morocco enjoys a moderately free press, but the government has taken action against journalists who they perceive to be challenging the monarchy, Islam, and the status of Western Sahara. Influenced by protests elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, in February 2011 thousands of Moroccans began weekly rallies in multiple cities across the country to demand greater democracy and a crackdown on government corruption. Police response to most of the protests was subdued compared to the violence elsewhere in the region. A commission set up in March 2011 presented a draft constitution that was passed by popular referendum in July 2011. Under the new constitution, some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remained in the hands of the monarch. That same month, the king urged swift implementation of the new constitution, starting with the holding of parliamentary elections in 2011 instead of in 2012. A prominent moderate Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party, subsequently won the largest number of seats on 25 November 2011, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In January 2012, Morocco assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2012-13 term.

Area

446,550 sq km 446,300 sq km 250 sq km

total

446,550 sq km

water

250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Coastline

1,835 km

Elevation extremes

Sebkha Tah -55 m Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

highest point

Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

lowest point

Sebkha Tah -55 m

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

Environment - international agreements

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 Environmental Modification

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%) 400 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

400 cu m/yr (2000)

total

12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%)

Geographic coordinates

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

Irrigated land

14,570 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

2,017.9 km Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

border countries

Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

total

2,017.9 km

Land use

19% 2% 79% (2005)

arable land

19%

other

79% (2005)

permanent crops

2%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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 hazards

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts

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

Total renewable water resources

29 cu km (2003)

Age structure

27.4% (male 4,500,299/ female 4,366,656) 66.4% (male 10,493,176/ female 10,954,845) 6.2% (male 899,693/ female 1,094,570) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

27.4% (male 4,500,299/ female 4,366,656)

15-64 years

66.4% (male 10,493,176/ female 10,954,845)

65 years and over

6.2% (male 899,693/ female 1,094,570) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

18.97 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.9% (2004)

Death rate

4.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

Health expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

26,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

26.49 deaths/1,000 live births 31.16 deaths/1,000 live births 21.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

21.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

26.49 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)

Life expectancy at birth

76.11 years 73.04 years 79.32 years (2012 est.)

female

79.32 years (2012 est.)

total population

76.11 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 56.1% 68.9% 43.9% (2009 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

43.9% (2009 est.)

male

68.9%

total population

56.1%

Major cities - population

Casablanca 3.245 million; RABAT (capital) 1.77 million; Fes 1.044 million; Marrakech 909,000; Tangier 768,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

27.3 years 26.7 years 27.8 years (2012 est.)

female

27.8 years (2012 est.)

male

26.7 years

total

27.3 years

Nationality

Moroccan(s) Moroccan

adjective

Moroccan

noun

Moroccan(s)

Net migration rate

-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16% (2000)

Physicians density

0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

32,309,239 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.054% (2012 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99% (official), Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000

Sanitation facility access

urban: 83% of population rural: 52% of population total: 69% of population urban: 17% of population rural: 48% of population total: 31% of population

rural

48% of population

total

31% of population

urban

17% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 10 years (2007)

female

10 years (2007)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.82 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.19 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

21.9% 22.8% 19.4% (2009)

female

19.4% (2009)

total

21.9%

Urbanization

58% of total population (2010) 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

58% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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 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

Capital

Rabat 34 01 N, 6 49 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1 hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in July

daylight saving time

+1 hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in July

geographic coordinates

34 01 N, 6 49 W

name

Rabat

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996; constitutional reforms expanding the government's powers approved in 1 July 2011 referendum

Country name

Kingdom of Morocco Morocco Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah Al Maghrib

conventional long form

Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form

Morocco

local long form

Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form

Al Maghrib

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Samuel L. KAPLAN 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 [212] (37) 76 22 65 [212] (37) 76 56 61 Casablanca

chief of mission

Ambassador Samuel L. KAPLAN

consulate(s) general

Casablanca

embassy

2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat

FAX

[212] (37) 76 56 61

mailing address

PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718

telephone

[212] (37) 76 22 65

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mohammed Rachad BOUHLAL 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 462-7979 [1] (202) 265-0161 New York

chancery

1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Mohammed Rachad BOUHLAL

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 265-0161

telephone

[1] (202) 462-7979

Executive branch

King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) Prime Minister Abdelilah BENKIRANE (since 29 November 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

head of government

Prime Minister Abdelilah BENKIRANE (since 29 November 2011)

Flag description

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

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law based on French law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Chamber of Counselors (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 nine-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) Chamber of Counselors - last held on 3 October 2009 (next to be held in 2012); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016) 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, LP 4, other 13

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, LP 4, other 13

elections

Chamber of Counselors - last held on 3 October 2009 (next to be held in 2012); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif) Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

lyrics/music

Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN

name

"Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)

National holiday

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

National symbol(s)

pentacle symbol; lion

Political parties and leaders

Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, secretary general]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelillah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Driss LACHGAR]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$25.16 billion $32.3 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$32.3 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$25.16 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 3.31% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 6.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$8.508 billion (2012 est.) -$8.337 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$29.42 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $28.08 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.9 (2007 est.) 39.5 (1999 est.)

Economy - overview

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 countries 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. 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 the education system, the judiciary, and the government's costly subsidy program.

Exchange rates

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 8.689 (2012 est.) 8.0899 (2011 est.) 8.4172 (2010 est.) 8.0571 (2009) 7.526 (2008)

Exports

$22.23 billion (2012 est.) $21.51 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish

Exports - partners

France 19.7%, Spain 18.2%, India 6.2%, Brazil 5%, US 4.6% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

14.7% 32.8% 52.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

14.7%

industry

32.8%

services

52.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,300 (2012 est.) $5,200 (2011 est.) $5,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.9% (2012 est.) 4.9% (2011 est.) 3.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$97.17 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$171 billion (2012 est.) $166.2 billion (2011 est.) $158.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 33.2% (2007)

highest 10%

33.2% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$42.49 billion (2012 est.) $40.96 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

France 13.6%, Spain 11.2%, US 8.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.8%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.1%, Russia 4.7%, Germany 4.4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

4.4% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.4% (2012 est.) 0.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

31.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

11.78 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

44.6% 19.8% 35.5% (2006 est.)

agriculture

44.6%

industry

19.8%

services

35.5% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$60.09 billion (31 December 2011) $69.15 billion (31 December 2010) $62.91 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

15% (2007 est.)

Public debt

71.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 64.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$17.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $20.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$107.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $102.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.353 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.603 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$49.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $47.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$104.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $104.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$70.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $68.41 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.8% (2012 est.) 8.9% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

35.66 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

95,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

5,500 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

100 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

22.21 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

20.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

4.623 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6.164 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

20.09 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

570 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

500 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

70 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.444 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

203,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

15,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

107,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

113,300 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

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)

Internet country code

.ma

Internet hosts

277,338 (2012)

Internet users

13.213 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 fixed-line teledensity is roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons 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

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons

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

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

Telephones - main lines in use

3.566 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

36.554 million (2011)

Airports

56 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2012)

over 3,047 m

12

total

31

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

7

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

25

under 914 m

5 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, container 6, passenger/cargo 14, roll on/roll off 2 14 (France 3, Germany 1, Italy 1, Spain 9) 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2010)

foreign-owned

14 (France 3, Germany 1, Italy 1, Spain 9)

registered in other countries

4 (Gibraltar 4) (2010)

total

26

Pipelines

gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier

Railways

2,067 km 2,067 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008)

total

2,067 km

Roadways

58,256 km 39,480 km (includes 866 km of expressways) 18,776 km (2006)

total

58,256 km

unpaved

18,776 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

8,252,682 8,691,419 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

8,691,419 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

8,252,682

Manpower fit for military service

7,026,016 7,377,045 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,377,045 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,026,016

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

300,327 298,366 (2010 est.)

female

298,366 (2010 est.)

male

300,327

Military branches

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)

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)

Military expenditures

5% of GDP (2003 est.)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (2010)

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis