Morocco Quick Facts

“Morocco is like a tree whose roots lie in Africa but whose leaves breathe in European air”. This is the metaphor that King Hassan 2 (1929-99) used to describe a country that is both deeply traditional and strongly drawn to modernity.

  • Arabic and French are the most common languages spoken in Morocco.
  • Riads are often owned by individuals and service can be highly personalized.
  • The Arabic call to prayer is amplified across Marrakech five times a day.
  • If you visit Morocco during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, be aware that many shops and restaurants are closed during the day throughout the holiday.
  • The word riad means “garden" in Arabic.
  • Most Moroccans believe that there are many religions but there is only one God. All religions welcome, we live here in peace.
  • It’s in Morocco where there is the only Jewish Museum in Arab and Muslim world.
  • There are as many as 9 World Heritage Sites in Morocco.
  • There are 2 ski resorts in Morocco.
  • There are many golf courses all around Morocco.
  • There is a city that is called Ouarzazate which is the capital of film industry. Locals like to call it “Mollywood“.
  • The stork is the national bird of Morocco.
  • Tagine is the national dish but Moroccan food is as varied as it is delicious.
  • “Ras el Hanout “Head of the shop” is the most exotic Moroccan flavoring. It’s a mixture of 27 spices.
  • Argan oil also known as Moroccan oil is extracted from nuts of Argan trees that are just in Morocco.
  • Mint tea is the national drink and offered as a kind of hospitality.

 

Kingdom of Morocco: (Al Mamlaka al-Maghrebiya)

Population: 36 million

Capital: Rabat
Largest city: Casablanca
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber (official) French often the language of business, government and diplomacy
National Religion: Islam
Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Year of Independence: 1956

Chief of State: King Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Saad Eddine Elotmani
Area: 710,850 km² (‪274,460.7 square miles)
Currency: Dirham (MAD;DH) 100 Dirhams about 10 Euros / $ 9 US
Notes: DH  20, 50, 100 & 200.
Coins: DH 1, 5 & 10/5, 10, 20 & 50 centimes

GDP: $4,600

International calling code: +212
Local Time: Greenwich Mean Time
Weights & Measures System: Metric
Population Density: 72 People per square kilometer

Literacy: Total Population: 52%, Male: 66%, Female: 44%

Life expectancy: 74 years (men), 77 years (women)