Overview of Morocco
Overview of Morocco Last updated on Thursday 22nd April 2010
Official name
Kingdom of Morocco ( al-Mamlakah al -Maghribiyyah)
Capital
Rabat
Political System
Constitutional monarchy, elected parliament, multiparty democracy.
Population
Population 30,122,000 (estimate July 2000).
Population growth
1.74% (estimate 2000)
Urban Population
52% (1990-1999).
Surface area
446.550 km².
Language
Arabic (official), French (the second official language for the administration and businesses), Berber dialects (not official, but used in some publications, radio and TV programmes)
Religions
Muslims 98%, Christian 1.8%, Jewish 0.2%.
Currency
Dirham, divided into 100 francs
Exchange rates are fluctuating, but published in daily newspapers' business section.
Gross Domestic Product
GDP per capita: US $ 1,296 (1998).
Year of independence
2 March 1956 from France.
Electricity
220 volts in new buildings
110 volts in older structures
2 pin round plugs are the norm.
Banking hours
8.15-11.30am and 2.15-4.00p.m Mon. to Fri.
8.00am-3.00pm summer months
9.30am to 2.00pm during Ramadan.
Bureaux de Change can be found airports and most hotels.
International dialing code
+212
Time zone
GMT
National Holidays
January 1: New Year (Gregorian calendar)
January 11: Independence Manifesto
March 3: Throne Day
May 1: Labor Day
May 23: National Day (Amendment of the Constitution)
July 9: Youth Day (King's Birthday)
August 14: Commemoration of Oued Eddahab
August 20: Revolution of the King and the People
November 6: Commemoration of the Green March
November 18: Independence Day
Religious holidays
These are observed for 2 working days. Since they are based on the Lunar calendar, their dates vary each year and are fixed after the sight of the moon.
1st of Moharram: New Year (Muslim calendar)
12th of Rabi Al Awal: Aid El Mawlid (Birth of the Prophet Mohamed)
1st of Shawwal: Aid El Fitr (end of Ramadan)
10th of Dhu Al Hijja: Aid El Adha (Commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice)