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Morocco - General Information

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Morocco

Morocco – General Information

Independent monarchy, divided into 37 provinces, and the 2 governorates (wilaya) of Casablanca and Rabat-Sale. Morocco claims, and occupies most of Western Sahara. Morocco also claims the territory of Spanish North Africa. Some hash producing regions in the north are out of control of the central authorities.
Day of independence: March 2, 1956.
Throne Day: July 30, 1999

GOVERNMENT
Head of state: Muhammad 6
Prime ministers: Driss Jettou.
The government is made up of 31 ministers.
National Assembly: There are 2 chambers, the Representative with 325 members, and the Advisers with 270 members. All members of the Representative Chamber are elected from general elections. For the Advisers Chamber, 162 seats are elected by local councils, 81 by chambers of commerce and 27 by trade unions.

GEOGRAPHY
Inhabitants: 32 million (2003 estimate). 26 million in the 1994 census.
Population growth rate: 1.7%
Total area: 446,550 km
Density: 72 per km
Border: 2,018 km (Western Sahara 443 km, Algeria 1,559 km, Spain 16 km).
Coastline: 1,835 km
Highest point: Jabal Toubkal 4,165 m
Lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
Arable land: 20%
Capital: Rabat

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st JanuaryNew Year’s Day
11th JanuaryIndependence manifesto
3rd March Throne Day
1st May May Day
23rd May National Day
9th July Youth Day
14th AugustAllegiance of Wadi-Eddahab
20th AugustAnniversary of the King’s and People’s Revolution
6th NovemberAnniversary of the Green March
18th NovemberIndependence Day
plus variable Islamic holidays

MOROCCO FESTIVALS:
June, Fes Sacred Music Festival; actually wacky world music…
June, Essaouria Festival of Music.
June, Marrakech Festival of Popular Arts, 10 days of arts attack.
Aug, Imilchil Engagement Festival, 3 days of Berber instant match-making.

MONEY

Official Currency: Dirham (DH)=100 centimes.
Current Exchange Rate: Today’s Exchange Rate

Credit cards are widely accepted but you may be charged a surcharge. Some banks have automatic teller machines and you can withdraw money using your card. Travellers cheques can be readily exchanged and are best taken in Pounds Sterling.

LOCAL TIME
Morocco is the same time as GMT

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