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Compare Morocco (2008) - Spratly Islands (2005)

Compare Morocco (2008) z Spratly Islands (2005)

 Morocco (2008)Spratly Islands (2005)
 MoroccoSpratly Islands
Administrative divisions 15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate


note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco claims another region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, which falls entirely within Western Sahara
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Age structure 0-14 years: 31% (male 5,339,730/female 5,140,482)


15-64 years: 63.9% (male 10,750,240/female 10,815,470)


65 years and over: 5.1% (male 740,686/female 970,567) (2007 est.)
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Agriculture - products barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock -
Airports 60 (2007) 3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 27


over 3,047 m: 11


2,438 to 3,047 m: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 33


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 11 (2007)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 446,550 sq km


land: 446,300 sq km


water: 250 sq km
total: less than 5 sq km


land: less than 5 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
Area - comparative slightly larger than California NA
Background In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef, but has not made any formal claim.
Birth rate 21.64 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) -
Budget revenues: $19.39 billion


expenditures: $21.21 billion (2007 est.)
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Capital name: Rabat


geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Climate Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior tropical
Coastline 1,835 km 926 km
Constitution 10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996 -
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco


conventional short form: Morocco


local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah


local short form: Al Maghrib
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Death rate 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) -
Debt - external $16.86 billion (31 December 2007 est.) -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas T. RILEY


embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat


mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718


telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65


FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61


consulate(s) general: Casablanca
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Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR


chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979


FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161


consulate(s) general: New York
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Disputes - international claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratlys
Economic aid - recipient ODA, $651.8 million (2005) -
Economy - overview Moroccan economic policies brought macroeconomic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. Morocco's GDP growth rate slowed to 2.1% in 2007 as a result of a draught that severely reduced agricultural output and necessitated wheat imports at rising world prices. Continued dependence on foreign energy and Morocco's inability to develop small and medium size enterprises also contributed to the slowdown. Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are key to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums. Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles. Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored; there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Electricity - consumption 20.67 billion kWh (2005) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) -
Electricity - imports 802 million kWh (2005) -
Electricity - production 21.37 billion kWh (2005) -
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m


highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Environment - current issues land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
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Ethnic groups Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% -
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003) -
Executive branch chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
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Exports 21,890 bbl/day (2004 est.) -
Exports - commodities clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish -
Exports - partners Spain 20.6%, France 20.5%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.7%, India 4% (2006) -
Fiscal year calendar year -
Flag description red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912 -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 15%


industry: 38.2%


services: 46.8% (2007 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate 2.1% (2007 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 32 00 N, 5 00 W 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Geography - note strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Heliports 1 (2007) -
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 30.9% (1999)
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Illicit drugs one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; significant consumer of cannabis -
Imports 186,100 bbl/day (2004 est.) -
Imports - commodities crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics -
Imports - partners France 17.5%, Spain 13.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, China 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Germany 6% (2006) -
Independence 2 March 1956 (from France) -
Industrial production growth rate 6% (2007 est.) -
Industries phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism -
Infant mortality rate total: 38.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 42.56 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 34.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2007 est.) -
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO -
Irrigated land 14,450 sq km (2003) 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch) -
Labor force 11.35 million (2007 est.) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 40%


industry: 15%


services: 45% (2003 est.)
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Land boundaries total: 2,017.9 km


border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 19%


permanent crops: 2%


other: 79% (2005)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2001)
Languages Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy -
Legal system based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction -
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of a Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (325 seats; 295 members elected by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)


elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 8 September 2006 (next to be held in 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)


election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 17, MP 14, RNI 13, USFP 11, UC 6, PND 4, PPS 4, Al Ahd 4, other 17; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PI 52, PJD 46, MP 41, RNI 39, USFP 38, UC 27, PPS 17, FFD 9, MDS 9, Al Ahd 8, other 39
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Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.22 years


male: 68.88 years


female: 73.67 years (2007 est.)
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Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 52.3%


male: 65.7%


female: 39.6% (2004 census)
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Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Map references Africa Southeast Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
NA
Merchant marine total: 35 ships (1000 GRT or over) 344,445 GRT/252,341 DWT


by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 4


foreign-owned: 14 (France 13, Germany 1) (2007)
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Military - note - Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
Military branches Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Navy (includes Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2007) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 5% (2003 est.) -
National holiday Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) -
Nationality noun: Moroccan(s)


adjective: Moroccan
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Natural hazards northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Net migration rate -0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -
Pipelines gas 720 km; oil 439 km (2007) -
Political parties and leaders Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of Liberties or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizen's Initiatives for Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union or UC [Mohamed ABIED]; Democratic and Independence Party or PDI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of Democratic Forces or FFD [Thami EL KHYARI]; Independence Party (Istiqlal) or PI [Abbas el FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Saad Eddine El OTHMANI]; Labor Party [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha El MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party of the Unified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP -
Political pressure groups and leaders Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK] -
Population 33,757,175 (July 2007 est.) no indigenous inhabitants


note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (2004)
Population below poverty line 15% (2007 est.) -
Population growth rate 1.528% (2007 est.) -
Ports and harbors - none; offshore anchorage only
Radio broadcast stations AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998) -
Railways total: 1,907 km


standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2006)
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Religions Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% -
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.039 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.994 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.763 male(s)/female


total population: 0.994 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
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Suffrage 18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003) -
Telephone system general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities; however, density is low with only 4 fixed lines available for each 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is approaching 50 per 100 persons


domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay


international: country code - 212; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and Tunisia
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Telephones - main lines in use 1.266 million (2006) -
Telephones - mobile cellular 16.005 million (2006) -
Television broadcast stations 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995) -
Terrain northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains flat
Total fertility rate 2.62 children born/woman (2007 est.) -
Unemployment rate 15% (2007 est.) -
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