Morocco

Morocco Country Facts At-a-Glance

Geography: Morocco is located in northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Western Sahara on the Strait of Gibraltar. The land area of Morocco is slightly larger than California. Its northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermountain valleys, and rich coastal plains.

Capital City: Rabat

Population: 37.1 million (2023 est.)

Languages: Arabic, Berber languages (Tamazight, Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)

Religions: Muslim 99%, other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha’i)

Ethnic Groups: Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

Life Expectancy: 77 years

Literacy Rate: 73.5% (2021 est.)

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Current Head of State: King Mohammed VI (since July 1999); monarchy is hereditary

Current Head of Government: Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (since October 2021). The prime minister is appointed by the monarch following legislative elections.

Independence: March 2, 1956 (from France)

Currency: Moroccan dirham

GDP per Capita: $9,300 USD (2023 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 11.9% (2023 est.)

GDP – Composition by Sector:

• Agriculture 13.1% – barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives, livestock, wine
• Industry 29.8% – automotive parts, aerospace, phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism
• Services 57.1%

Source: CIA World Factbook

Country Basics

Morocco is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Texas and has almost the same number of people as California with a population of 37 million. The north African nation borders the Alboran Sea to the north, which is western part of the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. On land, it’s bordered by Algeria and the disputed territory of Western Sahara. About 80-percent of this territory is administered by Morocco.

The nation is separated from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar, which at its narrowest point is only eight miles across. This makes it possible for people to take ferry rides between the two continents.

Morocco is one of 11 countries that includes portions of the Sahara Desert, which spans 3.3 million square miles. The country also has mountainous areas near the northern coast and inland, along with plateaus, valleys and coastal plains.

Brief History

The Arabs first conquered the north of Africa in the 7th century, but it wasn’t until 788 A.D. that Muslim dynasties began to rule Morocco.

The 16th century ushered in the Golden Age of Morocco as Ahmad Al-Mansur and the Sa’adi monarchy effectively protected the country from outside invaders.

After Ahmad Al-Mansur’s death, Morocco was divided among his sons until 1666 when the Alouite dynasty united the nation. The current ruling family is descendent ofthe Alouite dynasty.

The following century saw increased trade with European countries. In 1860, Spain invaded and occupied northern Morocco.

Following the Spanish, the French imposed a protectorate over the country through the Treaty of Fez in 1912. During this time, the Spanish also took control over pieces of land in both the north and south of Morocco. In 1956, Mohammad V of the Alouite dynasty negotiated the independence of Morocco and eventually gained back control of the nation from both the French and Spanish.

Mohammad V assumed the role of king thereafter, establishing the monarchy that continues today. In the later 1960s, Morocco annexed Western Sahara, but the control of the territory has yet to be resolved.

While Morocco continues to uphold the monarchy, political reforms have been made. In the 1990s a bicameral legislature was established and elections for a Chamber of Representatives was held in 1996.

After the death of King Hassan II in 1999, King Mohammed VI assumed the throne and has greatly improved human rights in the country.

Language

Arabic is the official language in Morocco. About a third of the population also can speak French, but you will find few English speakers outside the tourist areas. There also are a few indigenous languages spoken by the Amazigh population, such as Tamazight, Tachelhit, and Tarifit. Overall though, it’s helpful to know some Arabic words while traveling in Morocco.

When meeting someone, you may be greeted by the phrase “Labas?” which is like saying “What’s up?” It comes from the Standard Arabic literally meaning “No harm?” It also can be used as a “how are you?” type of phrase.

Muslims will also greet one another with the Islamic phrase “Assalamu Aleikum” meaning “Peace be upon you.” Moroccans touch their heart after shaking hands with one another as a sign of honor and respect and react positively towards foreigners who do so as well. You also can use the same greeting for hello.

In addition to this greeting, here are other words and phrases that may help while you’re in the country:

Greetings

• Hello: Asalamu aleikum
• How are you?: Labas?
• I am fine: Mizien
• Good morning: Sabah al-khair
• Good afternoon: Msa’ al-khair
• Good night: Laila sa’ida
• Nice to meet you: Ahlan
• Goodbye: B’salama

Etiquette

• Please: ‘Afak
• Thank you: Shukran
• Excuse me: Smihlee
• Sorry: Asif (a)

Pronouns

• I: Ana
• You: Inta/intee
• He/she: Hoowa/heeya
• We: Nahnu
• You (plural): Intum

Conversational

• What is your name?: Shnu smeetuk?
• My name is ___.: Smeetee ___.
• Where are you from?: Min feenta?
• I am from ___.: Ana min ___.
• How old are you?: Shihal ‘amruk?
• I am ___ years old.: Ana ‘andee ___ sana.
• Do you speak English?: Tatkalum ingleezee?
• I speak a little Arabic.: Ana atkalum shwaya al’arabee.

Useful

• Could you repeat that please?: A’afak mumkin t’aawed?
• How do you say ___ in Arabic?: Kefash kangulo ____ bel Arabya?
• I don’t understand.: Ma kafhamsh.
• I want to go to ___.: Ana bagait amshee ila ___.
• Where is ___?: Feen kayn ___?
• I would like ___.: A’afak bgheet ___.
• How much is it?: Shihal hada?

Present Tense

• To want: Bgheet
• I want: Bgheet
• You want: Bgheeti
• He wants: Bgha
• She wants: Bghat
• You (plural) want: Bghito
• They want: Braw

Feelings

I am ___.: Ana ___.

• cold: Fia lbard.
• hot: Jani sahd.
• sleepy: Fia n’aas.
• hungry: Fia joo’e.
• thirsty: Fia la’atash.
• angry: Ghadban.
• happy: Farhan.
  
• sad: M’qalaq.
• tired: A’ayan.

Food & Drink

Mint tea is the national drink of Morocco. It’s made from green tea with fresh mint and sugar and is commonly served during mealtime. Moroccans often pour tea from several inches above the glass so the mint smell can fill the air.

Food is often eaten with your hands in Morocco rather than utensils. While in country, here are some delectable dishes you may eat:

• Couscous – Morocco’s national dish; It’s often eaten on Fridays since that’s the Muslim holy day.
• Stewed lentils
• Dates
• Tajine – a meat and vegetable stew
• Kalia – lamb stew
• Pastilla – meat pie
• Harira – lentil, tomato, and chickpea soup
• Pastries filled with almond paste and honey cakes.

Currency

The currency is the Moroccan dirham. One dirham is worth about 10 U.S. cents, so one U.S. dollar is approximately equivalent to 10 dirhams. A number of vendors in Morocco do not accept credit cards, so having local currency is helpful. We recommend bringing a little money for souvenirs, though you’ll need to remember that vendors in Morocco often haggle over prices.

Weather

It’s generally quite hot in Morocco from June-August, so it’s important to stay hydrated. There’s also lots of sunshine and very little rain. Here are the average weather conditions in the country during these months:

Environmental Conservation

Morocco has taken the lead in promoting renewable energy. Its Noor Power Plant in the Sahara Desert is the world’s largest concentrated solar power farm. It’s huge – the size of 3,500 football fields. The farm produces enough electricity to power a mid-sized city.

The solar panels at the plant melt salt that stores energy that can be used at night. The Moroccan government secured $3 billion from the World Bank for the project. The country has a goal of producing more than half of its energy by renewable resources by 2030.

The Moroccan government is also working on tackling issues like air pollution and desertification caused by drought and overgrazing. The United Nations and other international partners have stepped up to assist local communities struggling with poverty and land degradation.

Education

Education is required in Morocco through age 15 and is free. However, in reality there are major educational deficits in the country. In rural areas, less than half of girls graduate from high school. Teenage girls often leave school to help with household duties and childcare.

That said, the country has made large improvements in its literacy rate in the past two decades. About 50-percent of the population was literate in 2004, but by 2021 that rate had increased to 75 percent.

Religion

More than 99-percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, which is the state religion. In the country, it’s against the law to criticize Islam. However, Morocco allows more personal freedoms than a number of other Muslim countries and generally visitors do not have greater expectations than general respectfulness.

Ethnic Groups

There are about 20 million Amazigh people in Morocco. They are sometimes referred to as Berbers. However, they prefer the name Amazigh, which means free people.

Some of the Amazigh tribes live nomadically in the Sahara Desert. However, most Amazigh people are farmers or mountain dwellers who live in small communities. They are known for making jewelry, weaving, pottery and other art forms.

In addition to the Amazigh, there are a number of smaller ethnic groups, such as the Sahrawis. Their culture is a mix of Arab and indigenous African.

Cultural Expectations

While in Morocco, you can expect…
to be greeted by the phrase “Labas?” which is like saying “What’s up?” It comes from the Standard Arabic literally meaning “No harm?” Muslims will also greet one another with the phrase “Assalamu Aleikum” meaning “Peace be upon you.” All Moroccans touch their heart after shaking hands with one another as a sign of honor and respect, and react positively towards foreigners who do so as well.

While in Morocco, locals will expect you…
to dress modestly and be respectful of their customs, especially during prayer time.

Cultural Icon:
Ibn Battuta is considered the greatest world traveler of pre-modern times. He covered more than 75,000 miles throughout his lifetime, visiting Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Social Norms

Moroccans are friendly and happy to welcome people to their country. While on the program, it’s important for you to dress modestly and be respectful of their customs, especially during prayer time.

Women do not have to cover their heads, but tight clothing, two-piece bathing suits, miniskirts, shorts, and shirts that bare your shoulders should be avoided. Men also generally should avoid wearing sports shorts or sleeveless shirts unless they are playing a sport.

Aside from clothing, here are some other social norms to follow:

• Avoid using your left hand for eating or handing people objects since the left hand is considered unclean. Avoid public displays of affection and gestures like using your index finger to beckon people.
• Remove your shoes when entering a home or if you see shoes outside a building.
• Bring a travel-size roll of toilet paper or tissues since most toilets in Morocco will not have toilet paper available.
• Keep your phone away from the street when walking in a city since thieves on motorbikes may try to grab it from your hand.
• Avoid hash at all costs. Hash from the cannabis plants is readily available in parts of Morocco but buying or using hash is illegal in Morocco and can be harshly punished. Plus, it’s against Rustic Pathways’ strictly enforced policies.

If you want to buy something while in Morocco, you may want to try haggling. Many locals haggle when buying items, including food. Keep in mind the starting price is inflated, so you should start with an offer that is about half that price. Then you can go up a little bit if need be.

Hot Topics in Morocco

• Morocco is a leader within the sphere of women’s rights among North Africa and other Muslim nations. In 2004, Morocco passed Mudawanat Al-Usra, a family law that grants political and domestic rights to women. With their mounting power, women then demanded the right to pass on citizenship to their children — a right previously only given to men. Due to their hard work and determination, this right was granted by royal decree in 2006. A few years later, Morocco launched a series of progressive divorce laws empowering women. In recent years, Morocco has continued its progressive trajectory. In 2018, the country introduced a law that criminalizes violence against women, providing greater protection and support for victims.
• Morocco has focused intensely on improving education. King Mohammed VI launched the National Initiative for Human Development and has been dedicated to education. One initiative within the plan is the creation of ‘innovation cities’ to help inventors and businesses collaborate on new projects. The government has also made strides in reducing illiteracy rates and improving access to education, particularly for girls and rural communities.
• In 2021, Morocco successfully hosted the African Nations Championship (CHAN), showcasing its infrastructure and organizational capabilities. The country remains a hub for international conferences and festivals.

Other Facts About Morocco

• Morocco is known as the Maghreb — the “Arab West.”
• Rabat became the capital after Moroccan independence in 1955. It’s one of four “imperial cities,” which all served as capitals at some point in the region’s history. The other three are Fez, Marrakech, and Meknes.
• The English name for Morocco was derived from the ancient capital of Marrakech, which comes from the Amazigh words mur and akush meaning “Land of God.”
• Marrakech is called the “red city” because of the color of its buildings. The hue comes from the clay and red sandstone used to construct the older structures in the city. In reality, the buildings look more pink than red.
• A souk refers to a marketplace in Morocco.
• Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1786.
• The Hassan II Mosque’s prayer hall can fit 25,000 people and its mall can fit 80,000. It is also the tallest religious building in the world.
• The national drink of Morocco is mint tea.
• Morocco is one of three monarchies remaining in Africa.
• The Moroccan djelleba is a hooded kaftan, commonly worn by both men and women.
• Established in 859 A.D., the University of Al Karaouine in Fez is the oldest university in the world.
• Date palms, which produce the date fruit, can remain productive for more than 100 years. It used to be illegal to sell a date palm in Morocco.
• Morocco is one of three monarchies remaining in Africa. The other two are Lesotho and Eswatini, which is the former Swaziland.
• The city of Tangier on the North African coast by the Strait of Gibraltar was an international city from 1922 to 1956. It was ruled by representatives of eight European countries.
• According to Amazigh culture, the liver, not the heart, is considered the place for love in the body. Therefore, if you have troubles, you can say your liver is broken.
• Believe it or not, Morocco has the highest ski resort in Africa called Oukaimeden.
• Morocco is sometimes called Africa’s “Little Hollywood” since many movies have been filmed there entirely or partially, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Captain Phillips, Men in Black: International and Inventing Anna.
• Snake charming was introduced in the country 500 years ago and still can be seen in Marrakech’s central square.
• It’s common to see bags of colorful dyes while walking through a souk. The dyes are used by Moroccan rug and textile makers.
• As the 2022 World Cup showcased, soccer is the most popular sport in Morocco, so soccer lovers are quite welcome!