MOROCCO

General Information

Government: Constitutional monarchy
Population: 29 million
Capital city: Rabat (pop 1.5 million)
Languages: Arabic (officially), French, Spanish and English
People: 55% of people are Muslims, 44% are Berber and %7 are foreigners.
Religion: 98% Muslim, 1% Christian, 1% Jew
Time: GMT/UTC
Electricity: 220 volts in new buildings, 110 in older ones, sometimes both - make enquiries. Power points are of the French type. The frequency used is 50 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

With its low crime rates and uncommon violence, Morocco is one of the safest country of Africa. Although Rabat is the capital, Casablanca is the largest city and industrial center of the kingdom. 60% of Morocco's companies are based in Casablanca, including all those in the high-tech sector. The city consumes 30% of the nation's electricity and is the headquarters of practically all the major banks. Casablanca is where everything happens.

Morocco is a healthy country, but keep away from city water and water sellers, drink bottled spring water.

Language
Arabic is the official language of the country, however French and Spanish are very common. English is also used in the large cities and its vicinity.

Money
There is a plenty of bank and change offices to change the money or to cash travelers’ check with no commission but the rates vary little from bank to bank. Credit cars are usually accepted in shops, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. Us dollar is a good currency to carry in. Cash advances on credit cards and ATM carry a charge of about 1.5%.

Currency
The currency of Morocco is dirham, divided into 100 centimes. Notes are in the following denominations: 5, 10, 50, and 100. Coins are in 1 dirham, and 10, 20, and 50 centimes. 1 US dollar makes approximately 10 Moroccan Dirham and 1 Pound does almost 16 Dirham.

Phone calls
The hotel telephone calls may be expensive. Ask the reception at the Hotel for rates. Morocco’s Country code is 212.
Agadir 488
Casablanca 22
El Jadida 334
Fes 55
Marrakech 44

Climate

Cuisine
Like all eastern countries, Moroccan cuisine provides poultry and kebabs cooked with different spices as coriander, cumin, saffron, and marjoram. Moroccan cuisine’s main dish, Couscous, is served with a vegetable or meat. The most accepted drink of the country is sweet mint tea, which is made with no alcohol.