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Africa :: Morocco
page last updated on October 16, 2012
Flag of Morocco
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Morocco
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Map of Morocco
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Introduction ::Morocco
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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.
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Geography ::Morocco
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Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
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32 00 N, 5 00 W
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total: 446,550 sq km
country comparison to the world: 58
land: 446,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km
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slightly larger than California
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total: 2,017.9 km
border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
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1,835 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
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northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
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lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
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phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
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arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 2%
other: 79% (2005)
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14,570 sq km (2003)
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29 cu km (2003)
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total: 12.6 cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%)
per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000)
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northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
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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
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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
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strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
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People ::Morocco
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noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
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Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%
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Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
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Muslim 99% (official), Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000
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32,309,239 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
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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.)
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total: 27.3 years
male: 26.7 years
female: 27.8 years (2012 est.)
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1.054% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
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18.97 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
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4.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
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-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
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urban population: 58% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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Casablanca 3.245 million; RABAT (capital) 1.77 million; Fes 1.044 million; Marrakech 909,000; Tangier 768,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 70
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total: 26.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 75
male: 31.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 76.11 years
country comparison to the world: 80
male: 73.04 years
female: 79.32 years (2012 est.)
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2.19 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
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5.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 127
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0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
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1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
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0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
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26,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
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1,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
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16% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 31
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9.9% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 67
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5.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.1%
male: 68.9%
female: 43.9% (2009 est.)
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total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2007)
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total: 21.9%
country comparison to the world: 44
male: 22.8%
female: 19.4% (2009)
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Government ::Morocco
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
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constitutional monarchy
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name: Rabat
geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in July
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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
note: 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
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2 March 1956 (from France)
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Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
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10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996; constitutional reforms weakening the King's power approved in referendum 1 July 2011
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mixed legal system of civil law based on French law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abdelilah BENKIRANE (since 29 November 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
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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)
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)
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
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Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)
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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 [Abdelwahed RADI]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]
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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]
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ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, 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
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chief of mission: Ambassador Mohammed Rachad BOUHLAL
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979
FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general: New York
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chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel L. KAPLAN
embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat
mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
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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
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pentacle symbol; lion
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name: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)
lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN
note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970
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Economy ::Morocco
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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 pursued 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 generally declining government debt. 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. In 2006 Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States; it remains the only African country to have one. In 2008 Morocco entered into an Advanced Status agreement with the European Union. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment and poverty. In 2011, high food and fuel prices strained the government's budget and widened the country's current account deficit. Key economic challenges for Morocco include fighting corruption, reducing government spending, reforming the education system and judiciary, addressing socioeconomic disparities, and building more diverse, higher value-added industries.
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$164.7 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$157.9 billion (2010 est.)
$152.3 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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$99.24 billion (2011 est.)
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4.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
3.7% (2010 est.)
4.9% (2009 est.)
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$5,100 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$5,000 (2010 est.)
$4,800 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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agriculture: 16.6%
industry: 32.2%
services: 51.2% (2011 est.)
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11.54 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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agriculture: 44.6%
industry: 19.8%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
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8.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
9.1% (2010 est.)
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15% (2007 est.)
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lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)
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40.9 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
39.5 (1999 est.)
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30.8% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
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revenues: $25.69 billion
expenditures: $31.38 billion (2011 est.)
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25.9% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
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-5.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
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64% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
61.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
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1.4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
1% (2010 est.)
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6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
3.31% (31 December 2009 est.)
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6.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
6.3% (31 December 2010 est.)
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$64.75 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$66.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$107.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$109.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
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$94.01 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$88.84 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$60.09 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 49
$69.15 billion (31 December 2010)
$62.91 billion (31 December 2009)
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barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives; livestock; wine
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phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism
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4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
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-$8.868 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
-$4.209 billion (2010 est.)
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$20.99 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$17.58 billion (2010 est.)
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clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish
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Spain 18.6%, France 16.9%, Brazil 6%, US 4.8%, India 4.5% (2011)
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$40.39 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$32.65 billion (2010 est.)
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crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
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France 15.4%, Spain 14.4%, China 7.7%, US 7.3%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, Italy 5.1%, Germany 4.8% (2011)
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$20.65 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$23.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$28.08 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$26.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$46.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$45.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$1.329 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$1.851 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar -
8.0899 (2011 est.)
8.4172 (2010 est.)
8.0571 (2009)
7.526 (2008)
8.3563 (2007)
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calendar year
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Energy ::Morocco
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20.09 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
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22.21 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
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4.623 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
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6.164 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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67.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
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20.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
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4.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
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5,500 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
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95,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
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680,000 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
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113,300 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
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203,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
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15,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
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107,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
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70 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
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570 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
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0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
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500 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
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1.444 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
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35.66 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
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Communications ::Morocco
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3.566 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 45
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36.554 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 31
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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
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is roughly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons
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
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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)
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.ma
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278,075 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 65
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13.213 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
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Transportation ::Morocco
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56 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 85
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total: 31
over 3,047 m: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2012)
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total: 25
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 5 (2012)
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1 (2012)
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gas 830 km; oil 439 km (2010)
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total: 2,067 km
country comparison to the world: 70
standard gauge: 2,067 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2008)
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total: 58,256 km
country comparison to the world: 76
paved: 39,480 km (includes 866 km of expressways)
unpaved: 18,776 km (2006)
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total: 26
country comparison to the world: 88
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, container 6, passenger/cargo 14, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 14 (France 3, Germany 1, Italy 1, Spain 9)
registered in other countries: 4 (Gibraltar 4) (2010)
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Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier
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Military ::Morocco
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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)
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20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (2010)
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males age 16-49: 8,252,682
females age 16-49: 8,691,419 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 7,026,016
females age 16-49: 7,377,045 (2010 est.)
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male: 300,327
female: 298,366 (2010 est.)
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5% of GDP (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
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Transnational Issues ::Morocco
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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
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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
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  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.