Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/163.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 14KB | 353 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Morocco.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Morocco"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Morocco, click {z,"-13.364916,26.843205,0.246255,37.226778",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea,
between Algeria and Western Sahara

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 446,550 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 446,300 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than California

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 2,002 km
{3}border countries:{4} Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km
{3}note:{4} excludes the length of the boundary between the places of sovereignty and Morocco

{2}Coastline:{4} 1,835 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and
the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been
in effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania)
on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco
contests as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas
Chafarinas

{2}Climate:{4} Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

{2}Terrain:{4} northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus,
intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
{3}lowest point:{4} Sebkha Tah -55 m
{3}highest point:{4} Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 18%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 1%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 28%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 12%
{3}other:{4} 41%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 12,650 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} 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

{2}natural hazards:{4} northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic
droughts

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

{2}Geographic note:{4} strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 29,779,156 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 38% (male 5,696,731; female 5,522,077)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 58% (male 8,577,918; female 8,700,521)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 4% (male 613,712; female 668,197) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 2.05% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 27.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 0.99 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.92 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 69.52 years
{3}male:{4} 67.53 years
{3}female:{4} 71.61 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Moroccan(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Moroccan

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

{2}Languages:{4} Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government,
and diplomacy

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 43.7%
{3}male:{4} 56.6%
{3}female:{4} 31%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Kingdom of Morocco
{3}conventional short form:{4} Morocco
{3}local long form:{4} Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
{3}local short form:{4} Al Maghrib

{2}Type of government:{4} constitutional monarchy

{2}Capital:{4} Rabat

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 36 provinces and 5 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Assa-Zag, Azilal, Beni
Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er
Rachidia, Essaouira, Es Smara, Fes*, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra,
Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech*, Meknes*, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*,
Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit

{2}Independence:{4} 2 March 1956 (from France)

{2}National holiday:{4} National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King HASSAN II's accession to the
throne)

{2}Constitution:{4} 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992

{2}Legal system:{4} based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court

{2}Suffrage:{4} 21 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961) is a hereditary monarch
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May 1994) was appointed by the
king
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was appointed by the king

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab): two-thirds elected by direct, universal suffrage and
one-third by an electoral college of government, professional, and labor representatives; direct,
popular elections last held 15 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (333 total, 222 directly elected) USFP 48, IP 43, MP 33, RNI 28, UC 27, PND
14, MNP 14, PPS 6, PDI 3, SAP 2, PA 2, OADP 2; indirect, special interest elections last held 17
September 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (333
total, 111 indirectly elected) UC 27, MP 18, RNI 13, MNP 11, PND 10, IP 7, Party of Shura and
Istiqlal 6, USFP 4, PPS 4, CDT 4, UTM 3, UGTM 2, SAP 2

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme
Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the king

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4}
opposition: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Mohammad al-YAZGHI; Istiqlal Party (IP),
M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali YATA; Organization of
Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID
pro-government: Constitutional Union (UC), Maati BOUABID; Popular Movement (MP), Mohamed
LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; National Popular
Movement (MNP), Mahjoubi AHARDANE
independents: National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN; Democracy and Istiqlal
Party (PDI), leader NA; Action Party (PA), Abdullah SENHAJI; Non-Obedience Candidates (SAP),
leader NA
labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections: Democratic Confederation of Labor
(CDT), Nabir AMAOUI; General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL;
Moroccan Union of Workers (UTM), leader NA; Party of Shura and Istiqlal, leader NA

{2}International organization participation:{4} ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA
{3}chancery:{4} 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone] through 7982
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG
{3}embassy:{4} 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
{3}mailing address:{4} PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718
{3}telephone:{4} [212] (7) 76 22 65
{3}FAX:{4} [212] (7) 76 56 61
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Casablanca

{2}Flag:{4} red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of
the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Morocco faces the typical problems of developing countries - restraining
government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping
inflation within bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program
toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of
creditors. The economy has substantial assets to draw on: the world's largest phosphate
reserves, diverse agricultural and fishing resources, a sizable tourist industry, a growing
manufacturing sector, and remittances from Moroccans working abroad. A severe drought in
1992-93 depressed economic activity and held down exports. Real GDP contracted by 4.4% in
1992 and 1.1% in 1993. Despite these setbacks, initiatives to relax capital controls, strengthen
the banking sector, and privatize state enterprises went forward in 1993-94. Favorable rainfall in
1994 boosted agricultural production by 40%. In 1995, Morocco suffered from a drought said to be
the worst in 30 years. Servicing the large debt, high unemployment, and vulnerability to external
economic forces remain long-term problems for Morocco.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $87.4 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} -6.5% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $3,000 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 14.3%
{3}industry:{4} 32.2%
{3}services:{4} 53.5% (1993 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 5.4% (1994)

{2}Labor force:{4} 7.4 million
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 16% (1994 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $8.1 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $8.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles,
construction, tourism

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 0.1%

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 2,620,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 9.9 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 361 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and
international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point
for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe

{2}Exports:{4} $4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%,
phosphates 17%
{3}partners:{4} EC 70%, Japan 5%, US 4%, Libya 3%, India 2% (1993)

{2}Imports:{4} $7.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and
lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9%
{3}partners:{4} EC 59%, US 8%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 3%, Russia 2% (1993)

{2}External debt:{4} $20.5 billion (1994 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $297 million (1993)
{3}note:{4} $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.607 (January 1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203
(1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,907 km
standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km double track) (1994)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 59,474 km
{3}paved:{4} 29,440 km (including 73 km of expressways)
{3}unpaved:{4} 30,034 km (1991 est.)

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned); natural gas 241 km

{2}Ports:{4} Agadir, Al Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi,
Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 175,962 GRT/257,449 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 8, chemical tanker 7, container 2, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 9, roll-
on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 63
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 11
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 7
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 12
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 11
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 15 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 270,100 (1987 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4}
{3}domestic:{4} good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links;
principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda,
Tangier, and Tetouan
{3}international:{4} 5 submarine cables; 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

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 5.527 million (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 26 (repeaters 26)

{2}Televisions:{4} 1.21 million (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal
Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 7,541,745
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 4,782,028
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 330,344 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $1.38 billion, 4.1% of GDP (1995)