In 2002, Morocco was a North African nation located in the Mediterranean Sea with a population of approximately 30 million people. The economy was largely based on agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. In terms of infrastructure, the country had relatively limited access to roads and telecommunications networks. Education was also relatively limited with approximately 52% of the population being literate. According to computerannals, Morocco had been making progress in recent years in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. The government had implemented several economic reform measures such as reducing trade tariffs and increasing foreign investment which had helped to boost the country’s economy. In addition, efforts were being made to improve health care services and access to education for all citizens. As a result of these initiatives, Morocco had achieved a higher standard of living than many other developing countries in the region at that time.

Yearbook 2002

Morocco. A coalition government continued to govern Morocco after the September 27 election. The Socialist Party USFP (Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires) lost seven seats to 50, but remained the largest party. According to Countryaah website, national day of Morocco is every November 18. USFP continued its government cooperation with the Nationalist Istiqlal Party and Conservative RNI (Rassemblement National des Indépendents, Independent National Movement), which received 48 and 41 seats, respectively. Socialist Driss Jettou succeeded Abderrahmane Youssoufi as prime minister.

Although the Islamist party PJD (the Justice and Development Party, the Justice and Development Party) tripled from 14 to 42 seats, it could not be included in the government. A total of 26 parties lined up. The number of women also increased sharply from two to 35 as 30 of Parliament’s 325 seats were reserved for women. Voter turnout was just under 52%, lower than 1997. Reports on voting and the absence of ballot papers were available.

In July, Morocco occupied the small uninhabited rock island Perejil/Leila, which Spain claims and later retreated. Following American mediation, the Spanish soldiers were also withdrawn. In September, talks were held between the countries about the island and about other disputes such as fishing rights as well as smuggling of drugs and refugees across the Gibraltar Sound.

Ten suspected members of the al-Qaeda terrorist network were arrested in June accused of planning sabotage against NATO vessels in Gibraltar Sound. In August, nearly 30 people were arrested, who were allegedly belonging to two militant Islamist groups that carried out murders and kidnappings.

On March 21, King Muhammad VI married Salma Bannani. The couple got engaged in October 2001. The announcement of the engagement was a violation of tradition.

At least 63 people were killed in the event of heavy flooding in central Morocco at the end of November.

A fire on November 1 in a crowded prison in Sidi Moussa, 20 miles south of the capital, Rabat, claimed at least 49 prisoners’ lives and 89 injured.

In June 2015, the regime expelled 2 Amnesty International employees who were in the country to investigate refugee conditions at the Morocco-Spain border.

In December 2015, the European Court of Justice issued an order invalidating the EU’s fisheries agreement with Morocco as far as the sea area off Western Sahara was concerned, since the agreement did not benefit Western Sahara residents. The EU appealed the ruling.

The regime continued the repression directed especially at human rights groups in the country and activists working for Western Sahara and its citizens’ rights.

In March 2016, the dictatorship expelled 84 employees of the UN from Western Sahara, after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, during a visit to a Saharui refugee camp in Algeria, referred to the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara as occupation. Both the African Union (AU) and the UN subsequently condemned the steps of the dictatorship. The EU and the US remained silent. Just a month before, an EN court had issued an order stating that products produced by Morocco in Western Sahara did not fall under the EU preferential trading system with Morocco. Morocco responded again by protesting to the European Commission, which immediately overturned the court’s ruling.

Morocco Country Overview

Visa
Finnish citizens do not need a visa to Morocco. NOTE. The passport must be valid for 6 months from arrival in the country.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, MAR stands for Morocco.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations For
The trip, it is advisable to check that the following basic vaccinations are valid: tetanus, polio, diphtheria / pertussis. In addition, we recommend hepatitis A vaccination. For more information on vaccinations, contact your health center or visit, for example,

The currency of
Morocco is the dirham. 1 € = about 11 MAD. Dirhams are not allowed from outside the country. The euro can be included as a reserve currency.

Tips
Dropping is an important part of Moroccan culture and almost all services are provided with tips. Bag carriers can be given 5-20 dirhams and cafe waiters about 2 dirhams. Restaurants have to drop 10% of the bill price.

Time difference
The time difference between Morocco and Finland is -1 hour in winter and -2 hours in summer.

Electric current
Moroccan electric current is 220 V (50Hz). An adapter is not required for Finnish devices.

Mobile phones
Check the availability of your mobile phone with your operator. The area code for Morocco is +212.

Travel Seasons
The best time to travel to Morocco is spring and autumn, but winter is also worth considering. During the winter season, the nights are cold, but during the day the sun warms comfortably.

Clothing
We recommend everyone to wear shoulder tops. Shorts shorter than the knee are seen as unsuitable, especially outside cities.

Photography In
Morocco, you can take great pictures, but you should avoid photographing government buildings. It is also not worth taking pictures of other strategic destinations such as airports, bridges and police. Good manners include asking permission from the person being photographed, before taking the picture.