Morocco Country & Tourist Information

Location
North Africa.

Area
710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles).

Population
31.6 million (UN, 2005).

Population Density
44.4 per sq km.

Capital
Rabat.
Population: 1.3 million (1994).

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1956. Gained independence from France in 1956.
Recent history: King Mohammed VI was enthroned in July 1999. He soon embarked on a series of political and economic changes and pursued a modernising course. Although poverty is still widespread and unemployment remains high, one of the King’s priorities was to fight poverty. He set up a program of economic liberalization to attract foreign investment, eased restrictions on the press and granted more rights to women.

Language
The official language is Arabic, but Berber is spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and the main tourist areas.

Religion
Predominantly Muslim with Jewish and Christian minorities. Morocco’s population and culture stems from a cross-section of origins including Berbers, Arabs, Moors and Jews.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
127/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Driss Jettou since October 2002.

Head of State
King Mohammed VI since 1999.

Telephone
Country code: 212. Privately-run Téléboutiques can be found through out the country. There is an attendant to provide advice, change and phone cards.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco.

Internet
Access is widely available in business centers, hotels and in Internet cafes.

Media
Although King Mohammed VI eased restrictions on the press when he came to power, some issues such as Western Sahara, the monarchy and corruption remain sensitive topics. The government owns, or has a stake in, Morocco’s two television networks. It plans to allow private investment in state-run broadcasters and the official news agency. Satellite dishes are widely used, giving access to a range of foreign TV stations.

WESTERN SAHARA:
National Radio of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic broadcasts in Arabic and Spanish; the station supports the Polisario Front.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0830-1400.

Press
• Daily newspapers are published in French and Arabic.
• The main French newspapers are: L’Economiste, Le Matin, Libération and Le Journal. • The main Arabic newspapers are Al Anbaa and Assabah.

Radio
• State-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) has regional and national services.
• Tangier-based Medi 1 is privately owned by Moroccan and French concerns and has programs in Arabic and French.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence.
20 Jan Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year).
31 Mar Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday).
1 May Labor Day.
30 Jul Feast of the Throne.
14 Aug Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day).
20 Aug Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (The King and the People’s Revolution Day).
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday.
13 Oct Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March).
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day).
20 Dec Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence. 
10 Jan Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year). 
20 Mar Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday).
1 May Labor Day.
30 Jul Feast of the Throne.
14 Aug Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day).
20 Aug Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (The King and the People’s Revolution Day).
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday. 
2 Oct Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March).
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day). 
9 Dec Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Jan Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year).


Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Aïd al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Aïd al-Fitr itself. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK
205 Regent Street, 2nd Floor, London W1B 4HB, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 0073.
Website: www.visitmorocco.org

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the UK
49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 5001.
Website: www.mincom.gov.ma 
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1300 (visa section); closed UK and Moroccan national holidays (open until 3pm during Ramadan).

Moroccan Consulate in the UK
Diamond House, 97-99 Praed Street, London W2 1NT, UK
Tel: (020) 7724 0624.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230.

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the USA
20 East 46th Street, Suite 1302, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 557 2520.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the USA
1601 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 462 7979.


Next Page »

Related Morocco Content