Kingdom of Morocco

* The Islamic conquest of Morocco was in 732 under 'Uqbah ibn Nafi'. In 788, the first Muslim dynasty, the Idrisid dynasty, came into existence.

* The 17th century saw the rise of the 'Alawite dynasty of sharifs, who still rule Morocco today.

* When the rest of Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912, Tangier had special status; and in 1923 it officially became an international city, governed by a commission composed of representatives from Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden, and, later, the United States.

Tangier remained an international zone (except for a period during World War II, when Spain took control) until it was integrated in 1956 with the independent Kingdom of Morocco.

* Morocco's nationalist liberation movement was born, in 1921-6, at the hands of Emir Abd Al Karim Al Khattabi who was later exiled to Reunion in France.

* The movement was given the support of King Mohammad V, who ascended the throne in 1927, was exiled to Madagascar in 1952, and later reinstalled in 1955.

* In March 1956, Morocco was proclaimed an independent constitutional monarchy under King Mohammad V.

* On 3 March, 1961 King Hassan II succeeded his father to the throne.

* In May 1961 Morocco saw the last of French occupation troops leave the country.

* From the mid-1970s King Hassan actively campaigned to assert Morocco's claim to the Sahara, initially using this nationalist issue also to rally much-needed domestic support. In November 1975, after a United Nations mission had reported that the majority of Saharans wanted independence and had recommended self-determination for the region, Hassan responded with the "Green March," in which some 200,000 volunteers were sent unarmed across the border to claim the territory.

* On 23 July, 1999, King Mohammad VI succeeded his father to the throne. Location: Morocco is a country of northwestern North Africa that lies directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. It borders Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It is the only African country with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Area: 458 730 squared km.

Climate:

Moderate Mediterranean weather in the north , desert-hot in the south. The cooling effect of the Atlantic is felt westwards, with temperatures increasing as we move inwards. Temperature ranges between 12 and 29 degrees Centigrade.

Population:

29 million (1999 Statistics)' Languages: Arabic (official), French and Spanish.

Official religion: Islam

Capital: Rabat (Administrative)

Casablanca (Financial)

Major cities: Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, Meknes

National flag: A red background with a five-side green star in the middle.

Monetary unit: One Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 Morocan francs.

Valuation (1999) one US dollar = 11 dirhams

Form of Government: A constitutional monarchy.

Day of Independence: 2 March, 1959.

National major events: 23 July: King Mohammad VI's accession to the throne. 6 November: Green March

GDP: 97.6 billion dirhams (2000)

Annual growth rate: 6.8 per cent

Per capita income: 1800 dirhams per annum

Economy

Morocco has long adopted an open-door policy which put it in direct contact with the outside world. In 1992, privatisation was first introduced and implemented.

Fighting drought and generating new employment opportunities feature high on Morocco's economic agenda. 800 million dollars have been provided of late for the purpose of reducing unemployment in the Rif areas worst-hit by drought. Because of drought, Morocco's cereal imports soared to 5.2 million tons. The State also intervened to stabilise the prices of fertilisers, seed and fuel and thus help farmers face drought.

Agriculture

Two thirds of Moroccans are farmers with agricultural production making up 40 per cent of gross domestic product.

Major crops

Rice, wheat, barley, cotton, flax, fruits, olives.

Mining and mineral wealth

Second to agriculture comes mining, a primary economic activity in which 120 thousand Moroccans are employed. Morocco is rich in phosphate. It stands holding 75 per cent of the world's phosphate. The world's first phosphate exporter, it also comes third as producer after the USA and Russia. Phosphate exports make up 40 per cent of Morocco's total exports.

Major mining areas

The Atlantic coastline where lead is found in great quantities. Atlantic Minor where copper, manganese, gold, silver, and cobalt are found. Atlantic Major where lead, zinc, copper, manganese and iron are found. East Morocco where lead and zinc are found.

Livestock

Sheep, goats, camels, horses, mules and donkeys.

Fisheries

Fishing is a primary economic activity in Morocco given its potential for sustainable development. A total 30 per cent of the entire bulk of production goes to fulfil local needs, the remainder 70 per cent is exported.

Industry

The industrial sector accounts for 15 per cent of Morocco's GDP. To encourage industry, Parliament has recently passed a law which invigorates investments particularly in medium and small-size enterprises.

Major industries

Super phosphate, steel, cement, leather, milling, macaroni, milk produce, meat, fish, vegetable and fruit-canning, sugar and petroleum refining, soap, paper and tobacco

Major exports

Phosphate, iron ore, manganese, lead, canned fish, tobacco, citrus fruit, wines.

Major imports

Textiles, machinery, sugar, coffee, vehicles, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, electric appliances, tractors

Social conditions

Education

A national agency has recently been established in Morocco whose purpose is to assess and evaluate the education process. A deadline has yet to be met of universalising compulsory education by the year 2002.

Arabic has been introduced to all stages of education when recently only French was used. Berber language is also taught at most schools. Major education establishments Qarawiyin university established in 856 under Idrisid rule.

Ecole International des Arts established in 1921.

Ecole Nationale des Arts established in 1946.

School of Fine Arts established in 1951 in Casablanca.

King Mohammad V University established in 1957.

Central University for Scientific Research.