Morocco

SAFETY: good
Overall the country is fairly safe, especially along the classic tourist routes. Petty crime does occur in the larger cities. The question of Western Sahara – the territory occupied by Morocco and claimed by the Polisario Front, south of the city of Laayoune and extending as far as Mauritania – remains unresolved; for the time being the situation is stable, with no official clashes, pending the self-determination referendum that under international agreements should have been held in 1999. Bear in mind that, owing to tensions with neighbouring countries (and the presence of refugee camps), some land borders may be closed, so we advise checking with the relevant authorities before departure.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: good
The transport system is fairly good, especially between the main cities. Domestic and international flights are frequent (across the whole region, including to Italy). Bus services to all urban centres are fairly frequent, though often slow and overcrowded. The rail network is very limited. Ferries run to the Canary Islands, Spain, Algeria and Tunisia. The road network is in good condition and surfaced (except in smaller towns, the south and the desert), making it easy to cross the country independently in a hire car or campervan.

main airports: Agadir (Al-Massira), Casablanca (Anfa and Mohamed V), Fez (Sais), Essaouira (Mogador), Meknes (Mezergue), Ouarzazate, Marrakech (Menara), Rabat (Sale), Tangier (Ibn-Batouta).
main ports: Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier.

ACCOMMODATION: very good
The country has an extensive, comprehensive network of services of every kind, standard and price. As a rule, count on one star less than the official classification. The top categories are on a par with their European counterparts. The lower categories do not guarantee good levels of comfort and cleanliness.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Kingdom of Morocco – Location: North Africa. Borders: Algeria to the east and south-east, Western Sahara to the south, the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It surrounds four Spanish enclaves: Ceuta, Melilla, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and Peñón de Alhucemas – Time zone: UTC 0, 1 hour behind Italy, 2 hours behind during daylight saving time – Area: 459,000 sq km – Capital: Rabat – Population: 33,757,000 – Religion: 98.7% Muslim, 1.1% Christian, 0.2% Jewish – Languages: Arabic (official language), Berber dialects, French (in business, political and diplomatic circles) – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Moroccan dirham (MAD). There are no limits on importing or exporting foreign currency; importing and exporting dirhams is prohibited – Credit cards: the major credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted – Exchange: bring euros; exchange is easy (euros and US dollars are also accepted for payments).

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz, as in Italy, in the main urban and tourist areas; 127 V in older tourist facilities and rural regions – Sockets: two- and three-pin; bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: valid passport. For study or work trips and stays of more than three months, an entry visa is required, to be applied for at the consular office in Italy – Driving: Italian driving licence, held for at least three years; Car: green card.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00212 – GSM: almost total coverage, except for some areas of the Atlas Mountains, the border with Algeria and the far south. Standard: GSM 900 (as in Italy). Local operators: Maroc Télécom, Meditel – Internet: widespread, though expensive; numerous internet points throughout the country, rarer in the south – Web domain: .ma – Emergency numbers: roadside assistance 212 22203064; medical emergencies 15; police 19.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: the law severely punishes the possession of drugs, even in small quantities. Abuse of minors is punished with deportation, and with imprisonment in the most serious cases. Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence.

HEALTH SITUATION: no compulsory vaccinations. Hepatitis and typhoid are endemic. Public facilities are below the average European standard. Good private clinics can be found in the larger cities. Pharmacies are widespread and well stocked.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; 3 March, Throne Day; 1 May, Labour Day; 14 May, Armed Forces Day; 9 July, Youth Day; 20 August, Revolution of the King and the People; 6 November, commemoration of the Green March for the annexation of Western Sahara; 18 November, Independence Day; Islamic holidays.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8:30-18:00, Sat 8:30-12:30 (in the larger cities); Mon-Fri 8:30-15:00 (smaller offices) – Banks: Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30 and 15:00-17:00, Sat 8:30-11:30 – Shops: Mon-Sun 8:30/9:00-19:00/20:00 (highly variable) – Closing day: Friday.

CLIMATE: Mediterranean, with mild winters and very hot summers, though it varies from region to region: the Atlantic coastal areas have a temperate, humid climate in winter and scorching heat in summer; the Mediterranean coast has lower average temperatures in winter but summers that are always very hot. Inland, summers are very hot with wide day/night temperature swings. In the Atlas Mountains summers are mild and winters cold, with snowfall. Generally, rainfall is abundant from December to April, rarer in the north and west, while the south is almost desert.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY:

Moroccan Embassy
Via L. Spallanzani 8-10 – 00161 Rome – Tel. 06 4404458 – Fax 06 4402695
Consulates General
Via Monte Autore 4 – 00141 Rome – Tel. 06 87180279/87180128 – E-mail: consumaroma@pronet.it
Via A. Martignoni 10 – 20124 Milan – Tel. 02 66806919/69311105 – Web: www.consulatmarocmilan.it – E-mail: info@consulatmarocmilan.it
Consulates
Via del Carrozzaio 3 – 40138 Bologna – Tel. 051 538041/53119/531863 – Fax 051 502633
Via Belfiore 27 – 10125 Turin – Tel. 011 6506482
Via Villa Verona 35 – 90146 Palermo – Tel. 091 6886023/6882486
Moroccan National Tourist Office
Via Larga 23 – 20122 Milan – Tel. 02 58303336 – Fax 02 58303970 – Web: www.tourisme-marocain.com

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN MOROCCO:

Italian Embassy
2 Zankat Idriss Al Ahzar – 10000 Rabat – Tel. 00212 37 219730 – Fax 00212 37 706882 – Web: www.ambrabat.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.rabat@esteri.it
Consulate General
21 Avenue Hassan Souktani – 20000 Casablanca – Tel. 00212 22 437070 – Fax 00212 22 277139 – Web: www.conscasablanca.esteri.it – E-mail: segreteria.casablanca@esteri.it
Honorary Vice-Consulate
2 Rue Ibn Aicha – 40000 Marrakech Gueliz – Tel. 00212 24 420276 – Fax 00212 24 430650 – E-mail: v.consolatomarrakech@menara.ma