Morocco

Morocco

Introduction

Background

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim 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. The Alaouite dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. 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. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch’s grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Morocco 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. Under King MOHAMMED VI – who in 1999 succeeded his father to the throne – human rights have improved. Morocco enjoys a moderately free press, but the government occasionally takes action against journalists who report on three broad subjects considered to be taboo: the monarchy, Islam, and the status of Western Sahara. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. Influenced by protests elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, thousands of Moroccans in February and March 2011 rallied in Rabat and several other major cities to demand constitutional reform and more democracy and to protest government corruption and high food prices. Police response to most of the protests was subdued compared to the violence elsewhere in the region. In early March, King MOHAMMED VI agreed to establish a commission to reform the country’s constitution

a popular referendum held in early July 2011 overwhelmingly approved the new constitution. In late July, the King urged swift implementation of constitutional amendments, starting with the holding of parliamentary elections in 2011 instead of in 2012. Following August negotiations between election heads and nearly 20 political parties, the government settled on an election date of 25 November.

Geography

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 446,550 sq km
country comparison to the world: 58 land:446,300 sq km
water:250 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than California

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

Coastline

1,835 km

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

Climate

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Terrain

northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m
highest point:Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

Natural resources

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Land use

arable land: 19%
permanent crops:2%
other:79% (2005)

Irrigated land

14,570 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

29 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 12.6cu km/yr (10%/3%/87%)
per capita:400cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes

periodic droughts

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

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification

Geography – note

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective:Moroccan

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)

Religions

Muslim 99%, Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000 (2010 est.)

Population

31,968,361 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 4,514,623/female 4,382,487)
15-64 years:66.1% (male 10,335,931/female 10,785,380)
65 years and over:6.1% (male 881,622/female 1,068,318) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 26.9 years
male:26.3 years
female:27.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.067% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

Birth rate

19.19 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Death rate

4.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Net migration rate

-3.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Urbanization

urban population: 58% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Casablanca 3.245 million

RABAT (capital) 1.77 million

Fes 1.044 million

Marrakech 909,000

Tangier 768,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.83 male(s)/female
total population:0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

110 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 66

Infant mortality rate

total: 27.53 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 74 male:32.32 deaths/1,000 live births
female:22.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.9 years
country comparison to the world: 78 male:72.84 years
female:79.11 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.21 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Health expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128

Physicians density

0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 142

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 60% of population
total: 81% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 40% of population
total: 19% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 83% of population
rural: 52% of population
total: 69% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17% of population
rural: 48% of population
total: 31% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

26,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

HIV/AIDS – deaths

1,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

16% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 31

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.9% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 67

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:52.3%
male:65.7%
female:39.6% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male:11 years
female:10 years (2007)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 21.9%
country comparison to the world: 45 male:22.8%
female:19.4% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form:Morocco
local long form:Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form:Al Maghrib

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Rabat
geographic coordinates:34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1 hr, begins first Sunday in April

ends last Sunday in July

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 also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region that falls entirely within Western Sahara

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

Constitution

10 March 1972

revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996
note:the amendment of September 1996 created a bicameral legislature

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law based on French law and Islamic law

judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King MOHAMMED 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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats

members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates to serve 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 to serve five-year terms)
elections:Chamber of Counselors – last held on 3 October 2009 (next to be held in 2012)

Chamber of Representatives – last held on 7 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:Chamber of Counselors – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – NA

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders

Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]

Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]

Alliance des Libert’es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]

An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]

Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, secretary general]

Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]

Citizens’ Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]

Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]

Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]

Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]

Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]

Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]

Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]

Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]

Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]

Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]

Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]

Labor Party or PT [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 Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]

National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]

National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]

Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]

Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]

Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]

Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]

Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]

Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]

Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]

Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Abdelwahed RADI]

Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]

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]

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel L. KAPLAN
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

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

the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation

design dates to 1912

National symbol(s)

pentacle symbol

lion

National anthem

name: “Hymne Cherifien” (Hymn of the Sharif)
lyrics/music:Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN
note:music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

Economy

Economy – overview

Morocco’s market economy benefits from the country’s relatively low labor costs and proximity to Europe, which aid key areas of the economy such as agriculture, light manufacturing, tourism, and remittances. Morocco is also the world’s largest exporter of phosphate, which has long provided a source of export earnings and economic stability. Economic policies pursued since 2003 by King MOHAMMED VI have brought macroeconomic stability to the country with generally low inflation, improved financial performance, and steady progress in developing the service and industrial sectors. In 2006, Morocco entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, and in 2008 entered into an advanced status in its 2000 Association Agreement with the EU. However, poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment rates remain high. In response to these challenges, King MOHAMMED in 2005 launched a National Initiative for Human Development, a $2 billion program aimed at alleviating poverty and underdevelopment by expanding electricity to rural areas and replacing urban slums with public and subsidized housing, among other policies. Morocco’s trade and budget deficits widened in 2010, and reducing government spending and adapting to sluggish economic growth in Europe will be challenges in 2011. Morocco’s long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for young Moroccans, closing the disparity in wealth between the rich and the poor, confronting corruption, and expanding and diversifying exports beyond phosphates and low-value-added products.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$151.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $146.8 billion (2009 est.)
$139.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$103.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118 4.9% (2009 est.)
5.6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$4,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152 $4,700 (2009 est.)
$4,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 17.1%
industry:31.6%
services:51.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

11.44 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 44.6%
industry:19.8%
services:35.5% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 9.1% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

15% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%:33.2% (2007)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

40.9 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 39.5 (1999 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

30.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Budget

revenues: $22.92 billion
expenditures:$27.21 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Public debt

61.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 56.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 3.31% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.3% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145 6.2% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$66.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $67.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$108.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 $109.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$88.84 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $92.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$69.15 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 49 $62.91 billion (31 December 2009)
$65.75 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives

livestock

wine

Industries

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism

Industrial production growth rate

4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity – production

19.49 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity – consumption

21.47 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

3.429 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

3,938 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Oil – consumption

209,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Oil – exports

25,090 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Oil – imports

221,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Oil – proved reserves

680,000 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Natural gas – production

60 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas – consumption

560 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas – imports

500 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas – proved reserves

1.444 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Current account balance

-$4.625 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175 -$5.362 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$17.58 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 $14.05 billion (2009 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 19.7%, France 17.8%, India 5.8%, US 4.2%, Brazil 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$32.65 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 $30.41 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics

Imports – partners

France 16.9%, Spain 14.2%, China 7.9%, US 6.2%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, Italy 5.9%, Germany 5.4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$23.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $23.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$30.19 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 $26.56 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$43.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $42.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$1.281 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71 $1.861 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar -
8.3619 (2010)
8.0571 (2009)
7.526 (2008)
8.3563 (2007)
8.7722 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

58 (2010)
country comparison to the world:82

Airports – with paved runways

total: 32
over 3,047 m:11
2,438 to 3,047 m:7
1,524 to 2,437 m:10
914 to 1,523 m:4 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 26
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:7
914 to 1,523 m:10
under 914 m:8 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 830 km

oil 439 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,067 km
country comparison to the world: 70 standard gauge:2,067 km 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 58,256 km
country comparison to the world: 76 paved:39,480 km (includes 866 km of expressways)
unpaved:18,776 km (2008)

Merchant marine

total: 30
country comparison to the world: 83 by type:cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 7, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned:6 (France 4, Germany 2)
registered in other countries:5 (Gibraltar 4, Panama 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier

Military

Military branches

Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armees Royales, FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes Air Defense), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, Marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawyiya al Malakiya Marakishiya

Force Aerienne Royale Marocaine) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for voluntary military service

no conscription

service obligation – 18 months (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 8,252,682
females age 16-49:8,691,419 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 7,026,016
females age 16-49:7,377,045 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 300,327
female:298,366 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

5% of GDP (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains unresolved

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

both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island)

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

Algeria’s border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling

the FLN’s assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco is a dormant dispute

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