economy

1 . General 

key data of the economy 
dirham currency
GNP $ 46.9 billion (2004)
2160 dollars per capita (2006)
GDP $ 65.4 billion (2006)
2 144.6 dollars per capita (2006)
Growth rate of 8% of GDP (2006)
* Inflation rate 1.9% (2006)
Unemployment rate 9.7%
Trade Balance -39.2% of imports (2002-2004)
Primary sector 44.6% of the labor force (2006)
15.7% of GDP (2006)
Secondary sector 19.8% of the labor force (2006)
27.8% of GDP (2006)
Share of the tertiary sector 35.5% of the labor force (2006)
56.5% of GDP (2006)
* Relative to GDP ratio
 
 ratioMorocco is essentially an agricultural country, although only 21 percent . 100 of the total area to be cultivated. In 2006, the gross domestic product (GDP ) totaled $ 65 billion , a figure that placed the country 54th in the world. Since 1985 , the economy was subjected to a severe structural adjustment that produces unparalleled results on the African continent. However , economic growth - 3.1 percent . 100 on average from 1980 to 1994; 8 on average for the period 2006 to 2006 - still insufficient to reduce unemployment : Each year, 250,000 job seekers entering the labor market. In 2006, the unemployment rate stood at 9.7 percent . 100 ; inflation reached 6.6 percent . 100 . 
 2 . Agriculture, forestry , fishing
 In 1995 , the primary sector accounted for 35 percent . 100 of the labor force and contributed 18 percent . 100 to the GDP .Production is highly dependent on the weather. Thus , the year 1994 had proved outstanding after three years of drought, but the prolonged drought of 1995 again seriously threatened the country's agriculture .The main crops are cereals , wheat (31 per 100 cultivated land in 1994 ; . 19th in the world) and barley (26 per 100 land ; . 11th in the world ) whose production totaled 3,000,000 tons. Potatoes , melons , olives , grapes, legumes, date palms, sugar cane and sugar beets are grown . Morocco is a major producer of citrus ( 1.275 million tons, of which 940,000 tons of oranges, 11th in the world ) mainly for export with winter vegetables.The population has about 15.6 million sheep (19th in the world) , 5.5 million goats and 3.3 million cattle.Cork is one of the major resources of the Moroccan forest, but most of the cut wood is used as fuel ; in 2006, timber production totaled 944,000 m3 , very small amount .The main fishing centers are Agadir , Safi , Essaouira , Casablanca, plus the coastal centers of Western Sahara . In 2005, the annual catch totaled 947,777 tons and included sardines , tuna, mackerel , anchovies and shellfish. 
3 . Mines and Industries 
In 1995 , the secondary sector employed 24 percent . 100 of the labor force and contributed 33 percent . 100 to the GDP .
 1 . Mining and Energy 
The country has considerable mineral resources is the third largest producer of phosphate ( Youssoufia deposits of Khouribga , Benguerir and Bou Craa , in Western Sahara , 20 million tons in 1995) ; the 10th producer of lead ( 70,000 t) and silver (333 000 t ) .

">It also extracted coal, cobalt , iron, copper , manganese, oil , tin and zinc .In 2003, 94.21 per cent. 100 of the power generation is thermal , the remainder being produced in local hydro . In 2003 , annual production was about 17.3 billion kilowatt hours . 

2 . industries 

Small and medium enterprises account for the bulk of the country's industrial production : building materials , chemicals, textiles, footwear, refined petroleum, food products, wine , sugar, etc. (32 per 100 of total industrial production. ) . The craft is also an important traditional sector: fabrics, upholstery , ceramics, carpets and blankets and high quality cabinetry . 

4 . tertiary sector

 In 1995, the tertiary sector employed 41 percent . 100 of the labor force and contributed 49 percent . 100 to the GDP .The currency is the dirham, divided into 100 centimes ; it is issued by the Bank Al -Maghrib (1959) , Central Bank of Morocco . Many private banks are also installed in the country.The Moroccan emigration and tourism provide significant revenues in foreign currencies. However, the Islamist terrorist threats facing the Maghreb have significantly slowed the arrival of tourists in Morocco, and the revenue from this sector are declining (701 million in 2006).The country has important port facilities in Casablanca , Agadir, Kenitra , Safi and Tangier . In the early 1990s , the country was equipped with a rail network of 1 890 km and 59 198 km of roads , 47 p. 100 were paved . Royal Air Morocco , the national airline , provides domestic and international routes . There are 19 airports in Morocco .

 5 . trade

 With $ 14.2 billion in exports and 8.78 billion dollars of imports , the trade balance was a deficit of Morocco in 2003.Morocco exports mainly phosphates and derivatives, citrus , wheat , fish . Its main trading partners are the countries of the European Union ( 67.9 p. 100 imports, 70.9 p. 100 exports, 30.4 p. 100 to France ) , the United States (5, 4 p. 100) , the developing countries (22.8 p. 100 imports, 18.9 percent . 100 exports) .

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various information

national Defence
In 2004, the army numbered about 180,000 men, the air force and navy 13,000 7800 ; military service of eighteen months is mandatory for all men. The same year, the government spent 4.2 percent . 100 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expenditure on national defense.Morocco is engaged since 1974 in operations in Western Sahara against the Saharawi nationalist Polisario seeking independence .

 Languages ​​and religions
Arabic , the official language, is spoken by 75 percent . 100 of the population , but Berber, or Tamazight is also spoken by half of Moroccans ; (the mother tongue of at least 25 percent . 100 of the population) . Many Moroccans also speak French and Spanish.Islam is the state religion. The entire population is Sunni Muslim . The King of Morocco , a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, is Commander of the Faithful ; Christians represent 1 p. 100 of the population and Jews less than 0.1 p. 100 .

 education
In 1963, the school became compulsory for all children aged 7-13 years. The enrollment of boys is much more important than girls. In 1991, 38.2 per cent. 100 children in the relevant age group were enrolled in secondary schools; in 1993, 10.3 per cent. 100 were in the top . The instruction is in Arabic. In 1994 , King Hassan II decided that Berber is now taught in primary school, an important decision that will take some time to be acted upon . In 1995, 56.3 per cent. 100 Moroccans could neither read nor write.The traditional higher education is provided in Arabic at the University al- Qarawiyin in Fez and modern higher education in French and Arabic , universities Mohammed V ( 1957) in Rabat , Mohammed Ben Abdallah ( 1974) Fez, Cadi Ayyad (1978) in Marrakech, Hassan II (1976) and Casablanca Mohammed I. (1978) in Oujda. Rabat also has a school of fine arts and several institutes specializing in administration , agriculture and economics. The School of Arts and Popular Traditions (founded 1921) is located in Tetouan .In 1992 , the government spent 5.8 percent . 100 of GDP on education expenditure.

">culture

Morocco has enriched influences from many cultures, as evidenced by the remains of civilizations Phoenician , Greek, Carthaginian, Roman and Arabic.Christianity spread in the region with the Roman occupation and resisted for a time in the Arab expansion . The Arab- Muslim influence prevails quickly on the coasts and in the cities that are becoming major trade between Spain , the southern Sahara and the rest of the Arab world's centers. Arabic , the sacred language , also became the written language of trade and cultural exchanges . Morocco hosts Muslims and Jews expelled by the Inquisition , which prevails in the Iberian peninsula in the sixteenth century architecture and Arab-Andalusian music then come to influence the arts of Islam. Morocco remains , however , outside the area of ​​Ottoman influence. The West African footprint date of the establishment of trans-Saharan routes in the tenth century , and the Mauritanian Almoravid dynasty , founders of the city of Marrakech. French colonization, for over half a century , marking the transition of the country to the contemporary world , with the changes that this implies in Moroccan society.The National Library of Morocco , founded in 1920 , is located in Rabat. Casablanca and the University of Fez also home libraries. The main museum is the Archaeological Museum in Tetouan, whose collection is composed of remnants Carthaginians, Romans and Muslims.

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institutions and political life

1 . Organization of powers

Morocco is a hereditary monarchy , governed by the Constitution of 1972, revised in 1980, 1992 and again in September 1996.The monarch, who must be male, is the spiritual and temporal leader ; Head of State , appoints the Prime Minister and members of the government. The king has the power to order the revision of legislation and to dissolve the Assembly. It also commands the armed forces.A revision of the Constitution introduced the bicameral Parliament composed since September 1996 the House of Representatives , whose members are elected for six years by direct suffrage, and the House of Councillors , new body, elected by the community representatives local , professional organizations , and employees. The new Constitution has expanded the powers of the legislature , at the same time that was created a Constitutional Court.

2 . political parties

The Moroccan political system to a multiparty however has limitations related to the rule of the king. Constitutional Democratic Popular Movement ( MPCD ) , conservative party founded in 1959, the National Rally of Independents (1978) , the Constitutional Union (1983) and the National Democratic Party ( 1981) are the main pro-government parties . Among the opposition forces are Istiqlal ( "independence" ) , a nationalist party founded in 1943 , the Organization of Democratic and Popular Action ( OADP ) , the party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) . In 1998, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces ( USFP ), large left party generally in opposition accepts the nomination leader , Youssoufi , as Prime Minister .In June 1996 , King Hassan II authorizes the entry of moderates within the Islamic PMDC . Islamist movements remain closely controlled or repressed. The sovereign, eager to introduce a dual system , multiplies , from 1990 , the political opening towards the opposition attempts. The major parties do not however want to participate in government formed in February 1995, the king refused the requirements first: constitutional revision , new elections and the departure Interior Minister Driss Bari, whose name was often associated with violations of human rights by the Moroccan authorities .This situation has recently undergone profound changes . In 1996 , a referendum to ratify the Moroccan Constitution. In early 1997 , a charter was signed between the government and all political parties to hold free and fair elections. Local elections are held in June 1997, parliamentary elections Nov. 14, 1997 . The USFP became the first political force , the NIR maintaining its positions , while Istiqlal is the loser . Youssoufi is appointed by King Hassan II in February 1998 , as Prime Minister . In March, he made ​​known the composition of his cabinet, which comprises 48 members. In terms of partisan distribution, USFP has reserved 14 seats against 6 to RNI and Istiqlal . PPS ( Party of Progress and Socialism ) and three other opposition parties are also associated with power . Morocco and saw the unprecedented experience of transition and political change .After the death of Hassan II , July 23, 1999 , his 36 year old eldest son Sidi Mohammed , ascended the throne under the name of Mohammed VI . The most significant of the policy of opening led by Mohammed VI is sacked in November 1999 , Driss Basri , Minister of the Interior , the symbol of the most dictatorial aspects of the deceased king act. Mohammed VI retains the Socialist Prime Minister Youssoufi and keep the upper hand in the direction of the army.The process of democratic transition in September 2002 led to the transparent parliamentary elections to replace the government of alternating Youssoufi . Of the 325 seats in the lower house of parliament , the main formation of the outgoing government , the Socialist Union of Popular Forces ( USFP) , leads with 50 seats, followed by the Istiqlal , which won 48 seats. The other party in the governing coalition, the National Rally of Independents (RNI ) , center right , arrives with 41 seats, in fourth position , behind the ruling Justice and Development ( PJD) Islamist , which collects 42 seats . The new Prime Minister Driss Jettou no political label , formed a government in line with the previous alternative government with the USFP and Istiqlal overlooking a broad coalition government , which excludes the Islamist PJD .

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