Where to Go - Africa

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Botswana | Egypt | Kenya | Morocco | Mozambique

Morocco

Population : 30,122,350
Literacy rate : 43.7%
Life expectancy at birth : male –66.92 yrs, female –71.44 yrs
Infant mortality rate : 49.72 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate : 1.74%
GDP growth rate : 0%
GDP per capita : £2,400
Unemployment : 19%
Inflation : 1.9%
TI index: 4.7
Climate : Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Time : GMT.
Electricity : 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.

Websites : The Kingdom of Morocco has an official site at http://www.mincom.gov.ma/

Advice for the independent traveller can be found at http://tayara.com/club/mrocbd1.htm

This country has the world’s largest phosphate reserves and a large fishing industry. Moroccans working abroad also send remittances, which help the economy. Things are looking up slowly for the economy, but a high international debt and high unemployment levels do not help. Recent droughts did not help matters, but recovery has been swift.

This is a wonderful country for tourism. Do see Marrakesh with its amazing main square – the Djemma-el-Fnah (Parade of the Dead – the name also derives from the Berber for “elders”) where you may find all sorts of traders and street life. Most Moroccan cities have an old sector – a soukh. There are no road signs in these parts and you are strongly advised to take a guide even if he is ripping you off – the alternative is getting lost and having to pay twice as much to get out. Rabat and Casablanca are big cities and do not hold a great deal of charm for the tourist. Other cities to see are Meknés with its mosques and Moulay Idris for its wonderful architecture, though if you are not a Muslim, you will only be allowed in during daylight. Try to see the Roman ruins at Volubilis – almost a complete Roman town with intact mosaics and even graffiti in the public urinals. Fez is now an industrial city and may well offer job prospects. Outside the big cities, Morocco is still rather primitive – the south was only opened to foreigners at the beginning of the 20 th century. Food can be excellent, but as for drink, remember that this is an Islamic country. Learn to like mint tea – not difficult. Not all the usual strictures apply, but respect is needed.

Entry requirements

Citizens of the EU, US, Australia and New Zealand do not need entry visa.

Vaccinations

Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid

Tax and Insurance

25% taxes and other deductions on a rising scale. Get health insurance.

Gap Year Programmes

Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in Morocco

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