Terrain
Northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains.
Climate
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior.
People
Nationality: Moroccan. Population: 32,649,130 (July 2013 est.). Language: Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy).
DIVERSE ETHNICITIES ( :25)
Religions
Muslim 99% (official), Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000.
Economy
Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to build a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the European Union in 2008.
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL OVERVIEW (1:35)
TOURISM & AGRICULTURE (1:18)
Living Conditions
All Moroccans have access to clean water, and to cooking and heating fuel. Most homes also have electricity. Moroccans have only one doctor for every 5,200 people, and one dentist for every 100,000 people. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas.
DOMESTIC CHALLENGES (1:04)
Government
Constitutional monarchy.
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY ( :57)
US Military Presence/Support