Introduction
Background
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of 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. In 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. Morocco won a protracted independence struggle with France in 1956.
Geography
Area
total : 716,550 sq km
land: 716,300 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
Natural resources
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
People and Society
Population
total: 37,387,585
Ethnic groups
Arab-Amazigh 99%, other 1%
Languages
Arabic (official), Tamazight languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
Religions
Muslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i); note - Jewish about 3,000-3,500 (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
0.84% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Rabat
Executive branch
chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Councilors (120 seats) and the House of Representatives (395 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Youssef AMRANI (since 27 February 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Puneet TALWAR (since 4 October 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income North African economy; ongoing recovery from recent drought and earthquake; rebounding via tourism, manufacturing, and raw materials processing; significant trade and investment with EU; reform programs include fiscal rebalancing, state enterprise governance and private sector investments
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$337.48 billion (2023 est.)
$327.085 billion (2022 est.)
$323.02 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$8,800 (2023 est.)
$8,600 (2022 est.)
$8,600 (2021 est.)
Exports
$58.556 billion (2022 est.)
$47.09 billion (2021 est.)
$37.545 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Spain 18%, France 17%, India 6%, Italy 5%, Brazil 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
fertilizers, cars, garments, insulated wire, phosphoric acid (2022)
Imports
$73.783 billion (2022 est.)
$60.215 billion (2021 est.)
$46.358 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Spain 18%, France 10%, China 10%, US 6%, Saudi Arabia 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, wheat, natural gas, coal, vehicle parts/accessories (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
