General Information:
Area: 710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles).
Population: 28,238,000 (official estimate 1999).
Population Density: 39.7 per sq km.
Capital: Rabat.
Population: 1,385,872 (1994).

Geography: Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and Mauritania to the south and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain range, which leads to the fertile plains and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast.

The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over 3000m (9850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north coast. The ports of Ceuta (Sebta) and Melilla on the north coast are administered by Spain.

Language: The official language is Arabic, but Berber is spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and the main tourist areas.

Religion: Predominantly Muslim with Jewish and Christian minorities. Morocco’s population and culture stems from a cross-section of origins including Berbers, Arabs, Moors and Jews.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.

Communications:
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 212. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks exist. Main operators include Itisalat Maroc Telecom (website: www.iam.ma) and Medi Telecom (website: www.meditel.ma). Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco.

Fax: Available in hotels.

Telegram: Facilities are available throughout the country at main post offices.

Internet: Access is widely available in business centres, hotels and in Internet cafes. ISPs include Menara (website: www.iam.ma/internet) and Jaweb (website: www.jaweb.ma).

Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable. Post offices are open from Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0830-1400.

Press: Daily newspapers are published in French and Arabic. The main French newspapers are Le Matin du Sahara (website: www.lematin.ma), L’Opinion and Al Bayane (website: http://albayane.casanet.net.ma/albayane). The main Arabic newspapers are Al Alam and Al Maghrib. A monthly magazine, Success, is published in English.

Money:
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (Dh) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Currency exchange: Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco. National currencies should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (identified by a golden sign); changing money in the street is illegal. There is no commission charge and visitors will be issued with a receipt which they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back into the original national currency upon departure. Money can be withdrawn in banks with a credit card and a cheque book or directly from an ATM in some larger towns.

Credit & debit cards: Some credit cards are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is prohibited; all local currency must be reconverted prior to departure. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited but must be declared if in excess of the equivalent of Dh15,000. Upon production of bank vouchers, half the Moroccan currency purchased during a visitor’s stay may be re-exchanged for foreign currency (subject to some limitations) and all of it if the stay is less than 48 hours.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0815-1130 and 1415-1715.

Public Holidays: Nov 6 2002 Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March). Nov 18 Fête de l’Indépendence (Independence Day). Dec 6-8 Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 11 Manifesto of Independence. Feb 12 Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year). May 1 Labour Day. May 14 Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday). Jul 30 Feast of the Throne. Aug 14 Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day). Aug 20 Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (The King and the People’s Revolution Day). Aug 21 Kind Mohamed’s Birthday. Nov 6 Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March). Nov 18 Fête de l’Indépendence (Independence Day). Nov 26-28 Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 11 Manifesto of Independence. Feb 2 Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year). May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday). Jul 30 Feast of the Throne. Aug 14 Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day). Aug 20 Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (The King and the People’s Revolution Day). Aug 21 Kind Mohamed’s Birthday. Nov 6 Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March). Nov 14-16 Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 18 Fête de l’Indépendence (Independence Day).

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Aïd al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Aïd al-Fitr itself. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region.

Health:
Special Precautions/Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No/No
Cholera No/No
Typhoid and Polio Yes/N/A
Malaria 1/N/A

1: A minimal malaria risk, exclusively in the benign vivax form, exists from May to October in rural areas of the following provinces: Al Hoceima, Taounate and Taza.

Food & drink: Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in small foci. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Soil parasites are also present; visitors should wear shoes. Hepatitis A and E also occur. Immunisations are sometimes recommended for hepatitis B, tuberculosis and diptheria. Tungiasis and Lassa fever also occur, although rarely.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There are good medical facilities in all main cities, including emergency pharmacies (sometimes in the Town Hall) outside normal opening hours. Government hospitals provide free or minimal charge emergency treatment. Full health insurance is essential.

Travel - Internal:
Air: Royal Air Maroc (AT) operates regular services from Casablanca airport to Agadir, Dakhla, Fès, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda and Tangier. There are cheaper deals for those under 26 years of age depending on their destination in Morocco. Contact Royal Air Maroc for further details. There is also a new airline company (Regional Airlines).

Rail: The Moroccan rail system is all standard gauge and, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) (website: www.oncf.org.ma), provides regular and cheap services with first-class travel available between major centres. Rail fares are amongst the cheapest in the world, although a supplement must be paid for air-conditioned trains. Sleeping cars and restaurant cars are available. The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fès and Marrakech in the interior.

The main routes include (a) Marrakech–Casablanca–Rabat–Meknes–Fès–Oujda; (b) Marrakech–Casablanca–Rabat; (c) Marrakech–Casablanca–Meknes–Fès; and (d) Casablanca–Rabat–Tangier. The most useful route is from Fès to Rabat and Casablanca, with five daily and two overnight trains. There are also two daily trains and one overnight train (without sleepers) which run from Casablanca to Marrakech. Also, from Monday to Friday, a train runs every 30 minutes from Kenitra to Rabat.

Cheap fares: Children under four travel free and children from four-12 may travel for half fare. The European Inter-Rail pass is valid in Morocco; holders may be entitled to a discount on the fare of a ferry ticket – check with the company concerned for details. Discounts of up to 30 per cent are available for groups of more than ten. First - and second-class seats can be reserved in advance. For more information, contact Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848; website: www.raileurope.co.uk).

Road: Traffic drives on the right. The major Moroccan roads, particularly those covering the north and northwest of the country, are all-weather highways. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter.

Coach: The main centres are connected by a wide variety of coach services, many of which are privately run. The two largest firms are CTM (covering the whole country) and SATAS (between Casablanca, Agadir and south of Agadir).

Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be very crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage. For charter purposes, air-conditioned motor coaches are available from several companies.

Taxi: Those available in major towns, the petits taxis, are metered (see below under Urban). Other larger taxis, usually Mercedes cars, are used for travel to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure.

Car hire: Avis, Hertz and other major hire companies have offices in major towns and cities, including Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fès, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat and Tangier. Car hire is generally expensive.

Documentation: Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. A Green Card is also necessary. Insurance can be arranged locally.

Urban: There are extensive bus services in Casablanca and other main towns. Pre-purchase tickets are sold. Urban area petits taxis are plentiful and have metered fares. Taxi drivers expect a ten per cent tip.

Travel times: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Casablanca to other major cities/towns in Morocco.

Air/Road/Rail:
Rabat 0.30 1.30 1.00
Marrakech 0.30 4.00 4.00
Agadir 0.55 9.00 -
Fès 0.40 5.00 5.00
Meknès - 2.30 4.00
Tangier 0.50 6.00 6.00
Oujda 1.05 12.00 12.00
Laayoune 1.30 20.00 -
Er Rachidia 1.35 12.00 -

Travel - International:
Air: Morocco’s national airline is Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com). Other airlines serving Morocco include Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. There are frequent direct flights from all major European cities, from North America and from the Middle East.

Approximate flight times: From Casablanca to London is 3 hours; from Tangier is 2 hours 30 minutes. From Casablanca to New York is 6 hours 30 minutes.

International airports: Casablanca (CMN) (Mohammed V) is 30km (19 miles) south of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop (closed after last arrival), post office, banking and bureau de change facilities (open 24 hours), restaurant and bar (0800-2300) and car hire (Avis, Hertz and Europcar). There are taxi services into Casablanca and train services available to Rabat.

Tangier (TNG) (Boukhalef Souahel) is 12km (7.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, banking and bureau de change facilities, restaurant and bar (0900-2100), car hire facilities (Avis, Omnium, Starc-Hertz and Moroccan Holidays). Bus and taxi services are available into Tangier.

Other international airports include Rabat-Salé (RBA), Fez (FEZ) and Marrakech (RAK).

Departure tax: None.

Sea: Principal ports are Tangier, Casablanca and Ceuta. Lines serving these ports are Transtour, Compañía Trasmediterránea, Limadet, Bland Line (from Spain and Gibraltar), Polish Ocean Lines (from Northern Europe) and Comanav (from France, Spain and Italy).

Car/passenger ferries: Ferry operators include FerriMaroc (website: www.ferrimaroc.com) and Trasmediterranea (website: www.trasmediterranea.com). There are cheap and regular car- and passenger-ferry links between southern Spain and Tangier and the Spanish enclaves on the north Moroccan coast. Most links are roll-on, roll-off car ferries except where shown. The routes are from Algeciras to Ceuta (Sebta) (car ferry); Algeciras to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Tarifa to Tangier (hydrofoil only); Gibraltar to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Almería to Melilla (car ferry); Málaga to Melilla (car ferry) and Almería to Nador (car ferry).

There are also car ferries between Sète on the French coast (between Béziers and Montpellier on the Golfe du Lyon) and Tangier run by Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation.

Rail: Rail links between Morocco and Algeria are currently suspended. The main international routes are from Oujda to Algiers or from Oran to Algiers.

Road: The best road link is from southern Spain or France via passenger/car ferries (see above under Sea). The road link on the north Algerian border is currently closed.