MOROCCO. Kingdom of Morocco
A country in the northwest of Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Area - 458.73 thousand km². Capital - Rabat (with suburbs - about 1.2 million), largest cities: Casablanca (over 4.5 million), Fez, Oujda, Marrakech. Administratively, the country is divided into 44 provinces, 27 prefectures, and 17 wilayas, which are part of 16 regions. Population - over 30 million (2004), mainly Arabs and Berbers (97%). There are also French, Spanish, and Portuguese residents. There is a Jewish community (up to 12 thousand). The official language is Arabic, with widespread use of French, Berber, and Spanish (in the northern part of the country). The state religion is Sunni Islam. The currency is the dirham = 100 centimes.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with Russia on May 14, 1898, with the USSR on September 1, 1958).
National holiday - July 30 - Throne Day - the accession of King Mohammed VI to the throne (1999).
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy. The king is the head of state, both secular and spiritual ("Commander of the Faithful"), as well as the supreme commander of the armed forces. He appoints the prime minister and forms the government. Amendments to the 1972 constitution were approved in a referendum in September 1996. According to these amendments, a bicameral parliament was established, the structure of the constitutional council was changed, the functions of governors were defined, and Morocco's commitment to universally recognized human rights norms was enshrined.
Prime Minister - Driss Jettou (since October 2002).
The legislative authority is the parliament. The upper house (House of Councillors) is elected for 9 years by indirect voting, approves decisions of the lower house, and can pass a vote of no confidence in the government with a qualified majority of 2/3 of the votes. The lower house (House of Representatives) is elected for a term of 5 years by universal direct voting. Its competencies include the adoption of new laws, the nomination of candidates for the posts of prime minister and government members, discussion of the cabinet's program of activities, and passing a vote of no confidence against it, as well as approving the state budget. The last elections for the House of Representatives took place on September 27, 2002. The House of Councillors is headed by Mustafa Oukacha (since October 2000, re-elected in October 2003). The Speaker of the House of Representatives is Abdelwahid Radi (since January 1998, re-elected in October 2002 and April 2005).
Main political parties: Socialist Union of Popular Forces, Istiqlal Party ("Independence"), Justice and Development Party, Popular Movement.
Trade union associations: Moroccan Labor Union, General Union of Workers of Morocco, Democratic Confederation of Labor.
Since ancient times, the territory of Morocco has been inhabited by nomadic tribes, the ancestors of modern Berbers. From the 6th-5th centuries BC - under the control of Carthage, from the 2nd century BC - Rome. In the 7th century, it was conquered by the Arabs. A number of Berber tribes adopted Islam. From 711 to 720, these tribes, together with the Arabs, conquered the Iberian Peninsula. By the end of the 8th century, a unified monarchical state was formed. Spanish and Portuguese penetration into Moroccan territory dates back to the 15th century. French troops began operations to conquer Morocco in 1840. In 1912, France imposed a protectorate treaty on the Sultan of Morocco, and the northern part of the country came under Spanish control. Tangier and the surrounding area were declared an international zone. The kingdom achieved independence in March 1956 (from former French Morocco; in April 1956 - from the former Spanish part). In 1957, Tangier was incorporated into its territory. In 1958, sovereignty over the territory of Tarfaya was restored, and in 1969 - over the territory of Ifni. Enclaves - Ceuta and Melilla, included by Spain in its provinces, still remain in the northern part of the country (Morocco considers them its territory and demands their return).
In 1975, Spain transferred the part of the Sahara it controlled to the administrative management of Morocco and Mauritania (since February 1976). In 1979, Mauritania renounced its claims to its part of the Sahara, which was then occupied by Morocco. Fierce clashes occurred between royal troops and the POLISARIO Front, which advocates for the independence of Western Sahara (the last in August 1991). Since 1988, the UN has been involved in preparing a referendum on the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, but due to disagreements between Morocco and POLISARIO over the composition of its participants, the resolution of the issue has been delayed.
Sultan Mohammed V assumed the title of ruler of the country in August 1957. After his death in 1961, the throne passed to his son Hassan II. A constitutional monarchy was established in the country following the approval of a constitutional referendum in December 1962.
On July 30, 1999, the throne was inherited by the son of King Hassan II, Mohammed VI.
Morocco is a member of the UN (since 1956), the Arab League (since 1958), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Group of 77 + China. The king chairs the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Committee on Jerusalem.
Morocco is an agrarian country with a relatively developed mining industry. Agriculture employs 50% of the economically active population. GDP in 2004 amounted to 49 billion dollars.
The country holds over 70% of the world's phosphate reserves, ranking 3rd in the world in production (about 20 million tons per year) and 1st in exports (30% of world exports). Cobalt, manganese, lead, zinc, barite, and copper deposits are being developed. Oil and gas exploration is being conducted on the Atlantic shelf (in the Agadir and Essaouira regions) with the help of firms from the USA and Canada.
The government pursues a policy of stimulating private entrepreneurship with a preference for attracting foreign capital. The state plays a decisive role in the mining industry, controls foreign trade and energy. Since 1983, under the guidance of the IMF and the World Bank, a policy of "structural adjustment and strict austerity" has been implemented.
The manufacturing industry produces 18% of GDP and provides jobs for 20% of the active population. The most developed sectors are textiles, leather, chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cement. An important sector is marine fishing (catch - up to 800 thousand tons, employing over 100 thousand people).
Agriculture accounts for about 16% of GDP. Over 7 million hectares are cultivated, of which 5.5 million hectares are allocated for cereals. In 2004, a record grain harvest was collected, the highest in the last 5 years - 8.3 million tons. Main crops: citrus fruits, olives, cereals, sugarcane, grapes, vegetables, fruits. Animal husbandry is well developed.
The unemployment rate in 2004 was 10.9%.
Morocco has a developed transport infrastructure. The main transportation is carried out by road (the length of unpaved and paved roads is over 60 thousand km) and rail (2000 km). There are 27 airfields, of which 10 are international airports. Major seaports operate in Casablanca, Tangier, Safi, and Mohammedia.
Exports include phosphates, non-ferrous metal ores, citrus fruits, early vegetables and fruits, cork, clothing, shoes, and more. Imports include industrial equipment, oil, timber, chemicals, grain, sugar, and more. The European Community accounts for 57% of imports and 65% of exports. Main trading partners: France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Spain. In November 1995, an association agreement was signed between Morocco and the EU. Revenues from the tourism industry amounted to 4 billion dollars in 2004.
External debt is about 11 billion euros. Major creditors include France, the USA, Germany, international banks and consortia, as well as several Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar).
There are over 10 universities in Morocco, the largest of which are Mohammed V University in Casablanca and Rabat University. More than 20 newspapers are published. The most popular are: "Al-Anba," "Al-Maghrib," "Al-Misak al-Watani," "Al-Ittihad al-Ichtiraki," "Al-Ayam" - in Arabic, "Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb," "Opinion" - in French. The government information agency Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) operates. The government broadcasting and television service is located in Rabat.