Morocco lies at Africa's north-western corner, where the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Sahara and Atlas Mountains meet, with imperial cities Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat showcasing 1,200 years of dynasty.
Geography & landscape
Morocco sits in Northern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 446,550 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Rabat, lies near coordinates 32°, -6°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Morocco.
People & society
The population of Morocco is around 37M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Morocco recognises multiple official languages — Arabic and Berber — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Morocco is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Rabat, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Rabat and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Morocco shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Morocco through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Rabat, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +212, and clocks are set to the WET (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Morocco as MA (alpha-2) and MAR (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇲🇦, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Rabat | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Africa | — |
| Population | 37M | people |
| Area | 446,550 | km² |
| Currency | Moroccan Dirham (MAD) | — |
| Calling code | +212 | international dialling |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | MA | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | MAR | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 32 | degrees |
| Longitude | -6 | degrees |
Did you know?
Morocco's University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, founded in 859 CE, is the oldest continuously operating degree-granting university in the world.
