Morocco Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

North Africa.

Language

The official language is Arabic. Berber is not officially recognised even though it is the language of the country's first inhabitants, who form a majority. 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 major tourist destinations like Marrakech.

Area

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

Time Zone

GMT.

Electricity

110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.

Population

31.6 million (2008).

Population Density

44 per sq km.

Capital City

Rabat. Population: 1.6 million (2005).

Government

Constitutional monarchy since 1956, when Morocco gained independence from France.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi since 2007.

Head of State

King Mohammed VI since 1999.

Religion

Predominantly Muslim with Jewish, Christian and Hindu minorities. Morocco's population and culture is a blend of religious and cultural traditions, encompassing Berber, Arab, African, Mediterranean and Jewish influences.

Recent History

Since King Mohammed VI was enthroned in 1999, the country has instituted sweeping political and economic changes. Although poverty is still widespread and unemployment remains high, initiatives to attract foreign investment and tourism are bringing new opportunities to urban areas. The human rights record is markedly improved from the previous regime, and today ranks among the cleanest across Africa and the Middle East. Women have benefitted from education initiatives and expanded rights, and new protections for Berber (Amazigh) culture include the introduction of Tamazight (written Berber) in schools.

Morocco's parliament has only nominal power, but the country's first municipal elections in 2002 were hailed as a step towards democratization. Islamist and other political factions are closely monitored, as is the news media. Two territorial disputes remain: the Western Sahara, claimed by the indigenous Sahrawi Polisario Front, and the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco's Mediterranean coast.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +212. Privately run téléboutiques can be found throughout the country, with an attendant to provide advice, change and phonecards.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in towns and cities, and across the west of Morocco, but a little more erratic east and further south.

Internet

Access is unrestricted and is widely available in business centers, hotels and in Internet cafés. A one monthso prepaid unlimited internet access card for laptops, iPhones and smartphones is available from Maroc Telecom (who also have the best national coverage).

Media

The press is subject to government censorship in Morocco, and although King Mohammed VI eased some restrictions on the press when he came to power, issues such as Western Sahara, the monarchy and corruption remain highly sensitive. The government manages Morocco's two television networks, with state run Radio-Television Moroccain (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other, with some private investment in state-run broadcasters and the official news agency permited. The government owned network also includes ten regional radio channels. Satellite dishes are widely used, giving access to a range of foreign TV stations.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable.Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0830-1400.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
7 Dec Fatih Muharram (Islamic New Year)

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence
15 Feb 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 (Anniversary of the King and the People’s Revolution)
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday
31 Oct Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March)
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day)
26 Nov Fatih Muharram (Islamic New Year)

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Jan Manifesto of Independence
4 Feb 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)
19 Aug Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
20 Aug Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (Anniversary of the King and the People’s Revolution)
21 Aug King Mohammed’s Birthday
25 Oct Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March)
15 Nov Fatih Muharram (Islamic New Year)
18 Nov Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day)
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon, and the dates given here 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 until the end of Aïd al-Fitr. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha may last two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

Moroccan National Tourist Office

Angle Rue Oued Al Makhazine/Rue Zalaga BP
19 Agdal Rabat, Morocco
Tel: (212) 5376 74013.
Website: www.visitmorocco.com

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the UK

49 Queen's Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 5001.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; closed UK and Moroccan national holidays (open until 1500 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 0900-1500 (for visas).

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK

205 Regent Street, 2nd Floor, London W1R 7DE, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 0073.
Website: www.visitmorocco.com

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the USA

10 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10061 , USA
Tel: (212) 758 2625.
Website: www.moroccanconsulate.com

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the USA

104 West, 40th Street, Suite 1820, New York, NY, USA
Tel: (0013) 4779 15640.
Website: www.visitmorocco.com