COUNTRY PROFILE: MOROCCO
May 2006
COUNTRY
Formal Name: Kingdom of Morocco (Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah).
Short Form: Morocco.
Term for Citizen(s): Moroccan(s).
Capital: Rabat.
Major Cities: Morocco’s most populous cities, in order of their population as of 2002, are Casablanca (3,454,000), Salé (849,000), Rabat (668,000), Marrakech (653,000), Fès (643,000), Kenitra (581,000), and Tangier (509,000).
Independence: Morocco achieved independence from France on March 2, 1956.
Public Holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Independence Manifesto (January 11), Labor Day (May 1), Throne Day (July 30), Allegiance of Wadi-Eddahab (August 14), Anniversary of the King’s and People’s Revolution (August 20), Young People’s Day (August 21), Anniversary of the Green March (November 6), Independence Day (November 18), and Muslim holidays, the dates of which vary from year to year according to the Islamic calendar.
Flag: Morocco’s flag consists of a red field centered by a five-pointed
green star.