World Factbook
Morocco
Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag meaning: 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 the association between God and the nation history: the design dates to 1912
Capital
name
Rabat
etymology
derives from the Arabic name Ribat el-Fath, from the words ribat (fortified monastery) and fath (conquest); the third Almohad sultan, Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Manṣur, gave the name to a fort on the site in the 12th century
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
34 01 N, 6 49 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011
amendment process
proposed by the king, by the prime minister, or by members in either chamber of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; the king can opt to submit self-initiated proposals directly to a referendum
Country name
former
French Protectorate in Morocco, Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara
etymology
the English name of Morocco derives from, respectively, the Spanish and Portuguese names Marruecos and Marrocos, which stem from Marrakesh, the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name, Al Maghrib, translates as "The West"
local long form
Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form
Al Maghrib
conventional long form
Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form
Morocco
Independence
2 March 1956 (from France)
Legal system
mixed system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members)
subordinate courts
courts of appeal; High Court of Justice; administrative and commercial courts; regional and Sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication); first instance courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of Judicial Power, a 20-member body presided over by the monarch, which includes the Supreme Court president, the prosecutor general, representatives of the appeals and first instance courts (among them 1 woman magistrate), the president of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and 5 "notable persons" appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members - 6 designated by the monarch and 6 elected by Parliament; court president appointed by the monarch from among the court members; members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister in consultation with Parliament and appointed by the monarch; the monarch chooses the ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Islamic Affairs, and National Defense Administration
chief of state
King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government
Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; monarch appoints the prime minister from the majority party following legislative elections
National holiday
Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
National color(s)
red, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
9 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Medina of Fez; Medina of Marrakesh; Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou; Historic City of Meknes; Archaeological Site of Volubilis; Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat
Political parties
Action Party or PA Amal (hope) Party An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj or Democratic Way Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM Constitutional Union Party or UC Democratic and Social Movement or MDS Democratic Forces Front or FFD Environment and Sustainable Development Party or PEDD Federation of the Democratic Left or FGD Green Left Party or PGV Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI Moroccan Liberal Party or PML Moroccan Union for Democracy or UMD National Democratic Party National Rally of Independents or RNI Neo-Democrats Party Party of Development Reform or PRD Party of Justice and Development or PJD Party of Liberty and Social Justice or PLJS Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS Popular Movement or MP Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV Renaissance Party Renewal and Equity Party or PRE Shoura (consultation) and Istiqlal Party Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP Unified Socialist Party or GSU Unity and Democracy Party
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Barlaman)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)
history
music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970
lyrics/music
Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN
National symbol(s)
pentacle symbol, lion
Administrative divisions
12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
note: effective 10 December 2020, the US government recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over the territory of former Western Sahara
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Majliss-annouwab)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
395 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/8/2021
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
24.3%
parties elected and seats per party
National Rally of Independents (RNI) (102); Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) (87); Istiqlal Party (PI) (81); Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) (34); Popular Movement (MP) (28); Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) (22); Other (41)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
House of Councillors (Majlis al-Mustacharin)
term in office
6 years
number of seats
120 (all indirectly elected)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/5/2021
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
11.7%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-0161
chancery
3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 462-7979
chief of mission
Ambassador Youssef AMRANI (since 27 February 2024)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
washingtonembmorocco@maec.gov.ma Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the United States (diplomatie.ma)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[212] 0537-637-201
embassy
Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170
telephone
[212] 0537-637-200
mailing address
9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC 20521-9400
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Richard Duke BUCHAN III (since 3 December 2025)
consulate(s) general
Casablanca
email address and website
https://ma.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AIIB, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt