Rabat
Political System
Constitutional monarchy, elected parliament, multiparty democracy.
Population 30,122,000 (estimate July 2000).
Population growth
1.74% (estimate 2000)
Urban Population
52% (1990-1999).
Surface area
446.550 kmē.
Language
Arabic (official), French (the second official language for the administration and businesses), Berber dialects (not official, but used in some publications, radio and TV programmes)
Religions
Muslims 98%, Christian 1.8%, Jewish 0.2%.
Dirham, divided into 100 francs
Exchange rates are fluctuating, but published in daily newspapers' business section.
Gross Domestic Product
GDP per capita: US $ 1,296 (1998).
Year of independence
2 March 1956 from France.
Electricity
220 volts in new buildings
110 volts in older structures
2 pin round plugs are the norm.
8.15-11.30am and 2.15-4.00p.m Mon. to Fri.
8.00am-3.00pm summer months
9.30am to 2.00pm during Ramadan.
Bureaux de Change can be found airports and most hotels.
+212
GMT
National Holidays
January 1: New Year (Gregorian calendar)
January 11: Independence Manifesto
March 3: Throne Day
May 1: Labor Day
May 23: National Day (Amendment of the Constitution)
July 9: Youth Day (King's Birthday)
August 14: Commemoration of Oued Eddahab
August 20: Revolution of the King and the People
November 6: Commemoration of the Green March
November 18: Independence Day
Religious holidays
These are observed for 2 working days. Since they are based on the Lunar calendar, their dates vary each year and are fixed after the sight of the moon.
1st of Moharram: New Year (Muslim calendar)
12th of Rabi Al Awal: Aid El Mawlid (Birth of the Prophet Mohamed)
1st of Shawwal: Aid El Fitr (end of Ramadan)
10th of Dhu Al Hijja: Aid El Adha (Commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice)