AfricanTrade.com

ISD CODE: +212
Time Zone: GMT
Area: 458 730 sq. kms. (177 070 sq. mi.)
Capital: Rabat
Main cities and towns: Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, Tangier.
Population: 26.5 million
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber, French, Spanish

General information: Located in North West Africa, Morocco has a long coast to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. To the South and East it is bounded by Western Sahara and Algeria. The future of Western Sahara is yet to be determined.

The climate ranges from warm and temperate in the north to semi-arid in the south, with cooler temperatures in the Atlas Mountains region. During summer Morocco feels the effects of hot winds from the Sahara Desert.

Tourism is a vital aspect of the economy, and the country is blessed with good beaches. Agadir boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, Fes and Marrakesh have cultural and social interest. The Atlas Mountains attract walkers and skiers, and desert safaris are on offer. Visitors in 1998 were about 1.5 million.

Exports: Dates, figs, cork, wood pulp, canned fish.

Mining: Phosphates ( as rock) , Coal, crude oil, iron ore, copper concentrates, lead concentrates, manganese ore, zinc concentrates, fluorspar, and unrefined salt .

Government Contacts:

Ministry of Finance, Trade, Industry, & Handicrafts
Fax: +212 7 764 081

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Co-operation
Fax: +212 7 764 679

Central Bank
Fax: +212 7 706 677