Overview:
Official
Name: Kingdom of Morocco
Capital:
Rabat
Official
language: Arabic
Major
Religion: Islam
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
King:
Muhammad VI
Population: 31.6 million
Currency: Dirham
International dialing code: +212
Visas:
Citizens
of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand are granted 3 month visa
stamps upon arrival. All visitors require a passport.
Dress Tips:
While
there is no uniform dress code in
Morocco
, it is still important to remember that this is a religious nation, and to
dress accordingly. Modest dress will save you from a lot of hassle. It is
generally a good idea to avoid shorts, short skirts, sleeveless shirts, or very
tight clothing.
Women Travelers:
Women
need to be aware that they may be the target of many comments and even stares,
especially when traveling alone. In these situations it is best to remain calm
and completely ignore the comments. Otherwise, it is fairly safe to walk around
crowded areas, but still best to avoid walking in deserted areas or walking
alone at night.
Etiquette:
Moroccans are wonderfully friendly, and you will often be greeted with a kiss on
both cheeks. The closer you are, the more kisses you’ll get. You may even get
your hand held as you walk. Don’t worry- it’s normal.
If you
make some new friends, you will likely get some invitations into homes. You will
know the genuineness of the invitation by the third time it is offered. When you
enter the home, make an attempt to greet every person in the house. For women
this often takes the form of kissing other women on the cheeks; men usually
shake hands. Take your shoes off before stepping onto a rug, and try to avoid
staying alone in a room of the opposite sex as this can be interpreted
incorrectly.
If you
are served with food, you will be constantly encouraged to keep eating. It is
usually a good idea to start slowing down a little while before you actually get
full. You do not have to keep eating just because they say so, though. Food is
usually served on a big plate in the middle of the table. When you are eating,
it is helpful to imagine a pie and eat the slice in front of you. It is
generally considered rude to reach into someone else’s section, unless it is for
the purpose of passing food to someone else. It is also good to keep in mind
that meat is more expensive and is considered the best part of the meal. The
meat will often be at the centre of the plate, but while your hosts will likely
keep offering you meat, it is good to pace yourself. It is also generally polite
to avoid the meat until you see someone else eating it. Another helpful hint to
keep in mind is to avoid the use of you left hand when eating or handling any
kind of food
For the modern tourist Morocco has complemented its fascinating history and
cultures with the pleasures and comforts of the highest standards in its hotels
and restaurants.
HISTORY
Morocco
is a country steeped in history which has been inhabited since early prehistoric
times as testified by prehistoric remains. Then came Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Berbers, Byzantines, Romans and Vandals before the Arab invasion in the 8th
century. Morocco became an independent state in 788 AD and is today a
constitutional monarchy.
CLIMATE
Annual
sunshine levels can exceed 8 hours a day with average temperatures of 21 C. To
explain the diversity it is possible to travel from a sandy beach on the
Atlantic ocean, through the snow capped Atlas mountains to the Saharan desert in
just one day.
CURRENCY
The
local currency is the Moroccan Dirham. This is a controlled currency so is not
available outside of Morocco but is easily obtained within the country from
banks and within hotels. At the time of writing the exchange rate is in excess
of 16 Dirhams to the pound which is very favorable. Credit cards are widely
accepted and most banks have cash dispensers.
No commission is charged when changing currency which can be changed back at the
airport on departure.
LANGUAGE
The
everyday language of Morocco is dialectal Arabic with classical Arabic being the
language of education. The second language is French, which basically everybody
speaks. You will not find a language problem however with English. This is now
widely spoken in the hotels, restaurants and shops as well as by the locals.
FOOD
Moroccan
cuisine offers refined preparations of sun-drenched fruit and vegetables, rare
and aromatic spices, delicate fish and succulent meats. This is the very best of
Oriental cuisine and is famous throughout the world.
RELIGION
Islam is
the religion of Morocco but it exists in perfect co-existence with other
religions.
SPORTS
Visitors
can participate in golf, surfing and windsurfing, skiing, white water sports,
riding, four-wheel drive, hunting, fishing, aerial sports, sailing, yachting and
water skiing. Several hotels have thalassotherapy institutes.
MUSEUMS
and HISTORICAL SITES
The
country's rich past has left impressive ruins in many centers and some
surprising cave dwellings as well as many museums. A brochure is available on
request.
HEALTH
Morocco
is a healthy country, however a certain number of minimal precautions should be
taken. Avoid water from water sellers. Visitors should only drink the excellent
bottled spring water. No vaccination certificates are required for visitors from
the UK and anti-malarial treatment is not necessary. Precautions should be taken
against sunburn and insects in desert areas.
DRIVING
ON THE ROADS
The
highway code is of international standards. Road signs are prominently visible
in French and Arabic and speed limits are actively enforced. Road surfaces are
generally good but you need to drive carefully because apart from other
motorists you will have to avoid pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, carts and
even animals so don't be afraid to sound the horn. Do not drive 'off piste' ie
rough tracks. If you have an accident or damage the car you will incur costs.
RAILWAY
There is
an excellent railway system with 2,000 km of track mainly in the north. The
express trains are fast, comfortable and air-conditioned with bar service and
buffet car.
BUSES
These
are the most popular means of transport and will take you everywhere at very low
cost. CTM is the main bus company who operate comfortable air-conditioned
coaches.
TAXIS
'Petit
taxi' (maximum 3 people) operate in each town and 'Grande taxi' (maximum 6
people) operate between towns and airports. You can usually negotiate and fix
the price in advance.
SHOPPING
Strolling through the souks is a wonderful experience and not to be missed. The
specialties are embroidery, carpets, pottery, leather goods, carved wood, metal
goods inlaid with silver thread, mosaics, shoemakers, sewing, spices, jewelry,
weaving and brassware. In each town you will find craftwork centers where you
can buy genuine articles offering good value for money. Bargaining is a national
passion and should be practiced with a smile but please do not start negotiating
unless you want to buy. To get the best price keep the conversation friendly and
amicable.
GUIDES
Please
only choose official Moroccan Tourist Ministry guides. They know the history of
the country and its monuments in great detail. They can be identified by their
traditional costume and identification badge.
FOLKLORE
Traditions and folk art remain very much alive in Morocco. Music is present
everywhere in the country, accompanying festivities and ceremonies in an
instrumental form of traditional classical and popular Arab music and is
intimately linked with poetry and dance. There are many Festivals held
throughout the country.
FANTASIAS
Fantasias are held in most towns where men on horseback perform an extraordinary
war exercise and acrobatic feats while firing their 'moukhala' (old powder
charged rifle) during a frantic gallop. These are usually held in purpose built
arenas in conjunction with a traditional Moroccan dinner and folklore evenings.
Economy
Overview:
GDP
(purchasing power parity):
$139.5 billion
Revenue sectors:
agriculture (21.7%); industry (35.7%); services (42.6%)
Agricultural products:
barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Industries: phosphate
rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles,
construction, tourism
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Arable land: 20%
Labor
force: 11.19 million
Labor
force by occupation:
agriculture 40%, services 45%, industry 15%
Export revenue:
$9.472 billion f.o.b.
Export products:
clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers
(including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables
Export partners:
France 33.6%, Spain 17.4%, UK 7.7%, Italy 4.7%, US 4.1%
Import expenditures:
$18.15 billion
Import products:
crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and
electricity, transistors, plastics
Import partners:
France 18.2%, Spain 12.1%, Italy 6.6%, Germany 6%, Russia 5.7%, Saudi Arabia
5.4%, China 4.2%, US 4.1%
External debt: $15.6
billion
Currency: Moroccan
dirham (MAD)
Exchange rates:
Moroccan dirhams per US dollar 8.42 (2007) 8.78 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.574
(2003), 11.021 (2002), 11.303 (2001)
Inflation rate: 2.1%
Population below poverty line:
19%
Unemployment rate:
12.1%
Sources of income:
The
mining of phosphates is the largest source of income in Morocco, followed by
nationals living abroad who transfer money to relatives living in Morocco, and
tourism.
Morocco
is also one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cannabis. Its
cultivation and sale accounts for $37.3 billion, 0.57 per cent of Morocco’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and provides an economic base for much of northern
Morocco .
Trade agreements:
In an
attempt to boost foreign investment, Morocco has signed Free Trade Agreements
with the European Union (to take effect in 2010) and the United States (took
effect in 2007).
Challenges:
