Dialing code +212
ISO 2 code MA
ISO 3 code MAR
Capital Rabat
Main Language Arabic
Currency Dirham (MAD)
GDP $137.3 billion 57th
Population 31,627,428 38th

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Northern Africa bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Western Sahara
Land 446,550 km2 58th
Terrain Northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus intermontane valleys and rich coastal plains
Climate Mediterranean becoming more extreme in the interior
Natural Hazards Northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus intermontane valleys and rich coastal plains
Note: Strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

Neighbouring Countries

Algeria Spain Western Sahara

History

In 788 about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa successive Moorish 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. 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. Morocco virtually 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. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 71.8 years 113th
Median Age 25.0 years 118th
Birth Rate 20.96 births/1,000 population 85th
Death Rate 5.45 births/1,000 population 164th
Sex Ratio 0.75 male(s)/female 125th
Literacy 52.3% 184th
Population

31.6 million

Transportation

Roadways 57625 km 75th
Railways 1907 km 73rd
Airports 60 80th
Waterways None km
Heliports 1 76th
Airports paved 2 56th

Economy

Currency Dirham (MAD)
GDP $137.3 billion 57th
GDP per capita (PPP) $4000 139th