POPULATION

Since independence, Morocco's population has grown at an important pace. Between 1960 and 1982, the number of inhabitants went up from 11,626,000 to 20,419,000, at an annual growth rate of 2.8 %.
Up to September 2, 1994, Morocco's total population reached 26,073,717 inhabitants, including 50,181 foreigners. In comparison to the 1982 census, these figures show an annual average growth rate of 2.06 %. This rate is lower than the one reported between 1971 and 1982 which stood at 2.6% annually.

The total population is divided into 13,415,659 persons in urban areas (51.4 %) and 12,658,058 persons in rural areas (48.6%).

According to age ; the population is extremely young: 37 % of Moroccans are aged less than 15 years, 48 % are aged less than 20 years and 65.5 % are aged less than 30 years.

Population at pre-schooling and schooling age (5 to 14 years) accounts for about a quarter of the total population.

The general fecundity rate stood in 1994 at 3.69 children per woman, in comparison with 4.23 children in 1982, which is a regression of about 13%. This regression is more noted in urban areas where the rate stands at 18%, against 5% in rural areas.

Illiteracy rate among population aged 10 years and above has decreased from 65% to 55%.

This rate reached 67.5 % among women, and 41.7% among men.

Illiteracy affects more the rural world (75.4%) than the urban world (36.9%).

About half of the population (48%) live in the central and northwestern regions of Morocco.

Life expectancy at birth went up from 47 years to 66 years.

THE LANGUAGE :

Apart from classical Arabic, the language of education, the Civil Service and the media,
the everyday language in Morocco is a dialectal Arabic, as well as Tamazight (Berber)
spoken in the Rif, the Atlas and the Souss and which varies according to region.
Most Moroccans speak French and many speak Spanish and English.

THE RELIGION :

Islam is the official religion in Morocco, but it exists in perfect co-existence with the other religions
(freedom to practise other religions of revelation is guaranteed by the constitution). The day is marked
by five calls to prayer. The muezzin announces them from the top of his minaret. During the month of Ramadan,
the Moroccans fast, refraining from eating and smoking from sunrise to sunset.
Most Civil Service and public offices, monuments and shops alter their opening hours. However,
non Muslims will always find something to eat in certain restaurants, particularly in hotels.
The days may seem long, but the nights are wonderful!

THE HANDICRAFTS :

Morocco, with its old traditions and the diversity of its population and culture, has maintained high standards of
quality in its heritage of handicrafts, including carpets , traditional dress , jewels, pottery, ceramics , carved
wood, carved zellij and plaster. The handicrafts sector holds a significant position in Moroccan economy
(8% of GDP) and employs an important segment of the labor force, the 2nd place after agriculture.
Concerning foreign currency earnings, the handicrafts sector ranks 5th after remittances from Moroccan
nationals abroad, phosphate exports, agriculture and tourism.

444 co-operatives with more than 20,686 members have been set up so far. Furthermore, the Marrakesh
region holds the 1st place with 81 co-operatives (18 % ), followed by Casablanca with 72 cooperatives
(18 %) and Rabat with 61 cooperatives (14%).

Moroccan handicrafts are widely acclaimed abroad because they serve both ornamental and functional
purposes. There is a strong demand for this combination among foreign consumers.

CULTURE

Morocco has a rich culture and civilization. Each region possesses its own specificities, contributing, thus, to the making of national culture and to the civilization legacy. Morocco has set among its top priorities to protect all forms of its legacy and preserve its historical monuments.

Since its independence, Morocco has witnessed deep socio-cultural mutations like all other countries in the second half of the XX century. It is within these changes that arts are being organized for several decades.

It was also decided to allocate 1% of the local councils budget to the building in each prefecture or province of a culture compound, that comprises a theater, and to the sponsorship of artists. It is likewise projected to create in each region, two drama companies that local councils will finance and supply with the appropriate means.

Morocco has two institutes :

-The higher archeology institutes, created in 1986;

-The national institute of drama arts and cultural entertainment, created in 1987.

MUSEUMS

- The Oudaya museum in Rabat

- The Batha museum in Fes

- The "Dar El Jamii" museum in Meknes

- The "Bab El Alqa" museum in Tetouan

- The "Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah" museum in Essaouira

- The "Dar Si Said" museum in Marrakesh

- The museum of Chefchaouen

- The archaeologic museum of Rabat

- The archaeologic museum of Larache

- The archaeologic museum of Tetouan

- The "Nour" weapons museum in Fes

- The national earthenware museum in Safi

- The museum of contemporary arts in Tangiers

- The Kasba museum in Tangiers

- The "Dar Belghazi" museum in Rabat (private)

Literary and Artistic Prizes

The state holds every year the Moroccan book prize and the Grand Prize of National Merit. Several Moroccan figures from culture have been rewarded by Moroccan and foreign prizes.

FEASTS AND FESTIVALS

Mobile date to commemorate the "Aid Al Mouloud" : in Sale, the procession of candles (decorated candles), Moulay Ibrahim festival (road of Asni, 50 km southwest of Marrakesh), 2nd week following the "Aid Al Mouloud" ; El Aouina festival (18 km southwest of Marrakesh), one month after the "Aid Al Mouloud".

In March : Festival of Moulay Aissa Ben Driss in Beni Mellal;

End of May : In Kelaat-Mgouna (Dades Valley) festival of roses;

May or June : Festival of Moulay Bousselham (south of Larache)

Beginning June, for ten days : in Marrakesh National popular arts festival;

In June: sherry festival in Sefrou;

Beginning July: Mdiq moussem (15 km northeast of Tetouan);

End August, for three days: Setti Fatma festival (Ourika valley, south of Marrakesh);

End August: Festival of Moulay Abdallah (10 km south of El Jadida);

In August: festival of Moulay Driss Zerhoun (north of Meknes), one of the most important ones with the largest audience;

End September: Festival of Sidi Moussa Ou Quarqour (near Kelaat-Seraghna, north of Marrakesh);

Third week of September: in Imilchil (middle Atlas), bethrotal festival;

First week of October: in Fes, festival of Moulay Idriss;

In Tissa (46 km northwest of Fes) horse festival;

End October: in Erfoud, dates festival;

Changing dates : festival of Tangiers, Tetouan, Fes, Agadir.

Sources : Office National Marocain de Tourisme - Ministère de la Communication et autres ressources web.