Briefing: Useful information about morocco and its demographics conducted by the U.S department of state.

Geography

Area: 446,550 sq. km. (172,413 sq. mi.) slightly larger than California. (The disputed

territory of Western Sahara comprises another 267,028 sq. km or 102,703 sq. mi.).

Major cities: Rabat (Capital), Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier.

Terrain: Coastal plains, mountains, desert.

Climate: Mediterranean, more extreme in the interior.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Moroccan(s).

Population (2004 est.): 32.2 million.

Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 1.61%.

Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%.

Religions: Muslim 99.99%, Jewish estimated at 4,000 people, Christians estimated at less

than 1,000.

Languages: Arabic (official), several Berber dialects; French is often the language of

business, government, and diplomacy.

Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy--51.7%. Health: Infant mortality rate--37/1,000.

Life expectancy--67 yrs. male, 72 yrs. female.

Work force(10.7 million, 2003): Agriculture--50%; services--35%; industry--15%.

Education

Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school (age 15). Nevertheless, many children--particularly girls in rural areas--still do not attend school. The country's illiteracy rate has been stuck at around 50% for some years but reaches as high as 83 % among women in rural regions. Morocco had 290,000 students enrolled in 14 public universities in academic year 2002-2003. In some ways the most prestigious university is Mohammed V in Rabat, with faculties of law, sciences, liberal arts, and medicine. Karaouine University, in Fes, has been a center for Islamic studies for more than 1,000 years and is the oldest university in Morocco. Morocco has one private university, Al-Akhawayn, in Ifrane. Al-Akhawayn, founded in 1993 by King Hassan II and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, is an English-medium, American-style university comprising about 1,000 students.

Source of information:http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5431.htm (for more about economy and government follow the link)

Some projects launched for sociological improvement in Morocco are found on the following source…

Sources: Click Here

http://www.world-federation.org/YND/Articles/WF+YND+arrived+in+Morocco.htm

Briefing : useful aspects in youth development and mostly encouraging them to participate in the progression of the welfare in society

Peace Corps Country Overview for Morocco

Morocco was among the first countries to invite the Peace Corps to assist in its development and manpower needs. A group of 53 surveyors, English teachers and irrigation foremen first arrived in Morocco in 1963 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.From 1963 to today, nearly 4,000 Volunteers have served the Kingdom of Morocco in more sites, sectors, and projects than can be accurately reported, but which have included such endeavors as laboratory technology, urban development, commercial development, education of the blind and deaf, rural water supply, small business development, beekeeping, and English training.Currently,Volunteers serve in the following sectors: Environment, Health, Small Business Development, and Youth Development.

For more relevant information follow the URL:http://www.usembassy.ma/Services/PeaceCorps.HTM