Morocco Rough Guide
Country Factfile
Full name: The Kingdom of Morocco
Native name: Al-Magrib
King: King Mohammed VI
Population: 31.6 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Rabat (population 1.6 million)
Largest city: Casablanca
Area: 710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles) (including Western Sahara)
Population Density: 66.46 per sq m (United Kingdom = 244.69 per sq km)
Major languages: Arabic (official), Berber, French, Spanish
Major religion: Islam, with Jewish and Christian minorities
Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: Dirham = 100 centimes
Main exports: Minerals, seafood products, citrus fruit
GNI per capita: US $1,730 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .ma
International dialling code: +212
Electricity: 220V, two round pins
National tourist board: http://www.visitmorocco.org/
Geography Factfile
Located on the westernmost tip of Africa, with Algeria to the east, Mauritania to the south and south-east, Morocco is a country of diverse geography with coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean (to the west) and Mediterranean Sea (to the north). It boasts sandy beaches, the Atlas mountain range down middle of country and the Rif mountains along the northern coast. The Middle Atlas has woodlands of pine, oak, cedar, lakes and pastures.
Main cities: Rabat (capital), Casablanca (largest), Marrakech (with its world-famous souk), Fez (the ancient capital), Tangier (modern, French influenced).
Historical and Policital Factfile
A constitutional monarchy today, a French protectorate until 1956. Present King on throne since 1999.
Cultural Factfile
Social Conventions and Etiquette
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Many of the manners and social customs emulate French manners, particularly amongst the middle class. The visitor may find, in some social situations, that patience and firmness will pay dividends. Often visitors may find themselves the centre of unsolicited attention. In towns, young boys after money will be eager to point out the way, sell goods or simply charge for a photograph, while unofficial guides will always be offering advice or services. The visitor should be courteous but wary of the latter. Normal social courtesies should be observed in someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Women travelling alone, and/or wearing clothes regarded as provocative (e.g. strappy tops, short skirts, etc) may attract unwanted attention. Sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexual conduct, are punishable by law. Smoking is widespread and it is customary to offer cigarettes.
Moroccans are religious people. Islamic practices affect all aspects of life, especially in more remote communities. As in all Islamic communities the call to prayer will be heard several times a day. During the holy month of Ramadan (which takes place at a different time each year), Muslims fast from daybreak till sunset. This fast puts a great strain on them as they will often rise at 4am to have breakfast. In towns some shops in the Ramadan month are closed for long periods during daylight hours and also at dusk many shops close for an hour while the fasting population have their meal.
In towns some shops in the Ramadan month are closed for long periods during daylight hours and also at dusk many shops close for an hour while the fasting population have their meal.
Woman are relatively free in Morocco, most walk around without veils and take part in all aspects of life. Non-Moroccan women should be sensitive to traditions concerning dress. In particular shorts and short skirts and low-cut dresses are considered provocative and should be avoided in towns or villages. When swimming a full bathing costume is strongly recommended for women except for private hotel pools or wild beaches. Men should also avoid baring themselves too much except in the more informal desert surroundings. In towns shorts are acceptable for men except when visiting religious sites or if invited to visit an Arab family. When passing or receiving any item, in particular food, the right hand should be used.
- Don’t show the bottoms of your shoes or feet - it’s offensive. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Be prepared to take your shoes off before entering buildings.
- If you’re a tourist, don’t try to dress like the natives. You could pick the wrong thing e.g. head gear covered with a “gutra” cloth, held in place with an “angal” - this is what they tether their camels with! Besides, people from other countries can usually tell in a minute where you’re from by looking at your shoes. Your host may offer you coffee, tea or fruit juice (not alcohol). Make two or three vague refusals before accepting, as flatly refusing is a criticism of the host’s hospitality.
- Eat and hold cups and glasses with your right hand. The left hand Is considered unclean. Remember that during “Ramadan” fasting occurs from sunrise to sunset.
- Good topics of discussion are history, sports and culture. Bad topics of discussion are Mid-East tensions or religious zeal.
- Good friends, male and female, kiss cheeks but only with the same sex. One of my favorite protocol faux pas stories is of an American CEO who visited a member of royalty in the Middle East. He greeted his host with a handshake and lifted the veil of his host’s wife, planting a kiss on her cheek! The host slapped the American CEO in the face and totally mortified, left the room.
- In the Muslim world, Friday is the day of rest. Thursday is often a day off also.
- Never give the “thumbs up” gesture or gesture with your left hand.
- Wear modest clothing in public and COVER your body. Women should keep a scarf with them to enter mosques. If you receive lewd stares or children pelt your posterior with small pebbles, you’ll know you are too revealing.
- Always thank your host when leaving, “Show-KRON-Allah-WA Jeep”
Two languages, Berber and Arabic, are spoken in Morocco. The speakers of each are equally proud of their unique heritage, so you should avoid confusing the two languages.
- Expect Moroccans to position themselves in closer physical proximity to you. In America, social distance is three feet.
- “Yes” often means “Possibly”.
- Never embarrass a Moroccan. “Saving face” is important.
- If you are the male honored guest, you will be seated to the right of the host.
- Leave some food on your plate to signal you have had enough. If you clean your plate, your host will continue to offer you food until you burst! Adding salt is an insult to your host.
- Choose appropriate gifts. If you are meeting someone for the first time, wait until after that first encounter to present the gift. Your contact needs time to get to know you first.
- Don’t give: liquor, pork, items with logos, figures of dogs or owls.
- Don’t bring food or beverages to someone’s home — it implies criticism of the host.
- Avoid gifts in the colors of pink, violet or yellow because these are colors associated with death. Depending upon how Westernized the recipient is, he may not open a gift in the presence of the giver. This is traditional, so do not take offense.
- Do give books or small items — especially those made in the United States — to your host’s children. Please turn items over to double check tags to determine where ANY gift is made before giving it. For example you wouldn’t want to give an Arab a gift made in Israel.
- To refuse a gift from your host would be considered rude.
- Don’t admire an object too much or you may receive it as a gift!
- Don’t give gifts that are commonly found in the country that you are visiting e.g. tea.
- A thoughtful gift to a Moslem is a personalized engraved compass. This allows them to find Mecca no matter where they are.
- It is perfectly acceptable to attach your business card to the gift.
Culinary Factfile
**Moroccan Recipes**
http://www.astray.com/recipes/?search=moroccan&p=1
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/find/browse/results?type=browse&att=21
http://www.al-bab.com/maroc/food.htm
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Morocco.html
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/moroccan
Health Factfile
Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. A quinolone antibiotic is usually prescribed: either ciprofloxacin (Cipro)(PDF) 500 mg twice daily or levofloxacin (Levaquin) (PDF) 500 mg once daily for a total of three days. Quinolones are generally well-tolerated, but occasionally cause sun sensitivity and should not be given to children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy. Alternative regimens include a three day course of rifaximin (Xifaxan) 200 mg three times daily or azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg once daily. Rifaximin should not be used by those with fever or bloody stools and is not approved for pregnant women or those under age 12. Azithromycin should be avoided in those allergic to erythromycin or related antibiotics. An antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to slow the frequency of stools, but not enough to stop the bowel movements completely. Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium) should not be given to children under age two.
Most cases of travelers’ diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Though effective, antibiotics are not recommended prophylactically (i.e. to prevent diarrhea before it occurs) because of the risk of adverse effects, though this approach may be warranted in special situations, such as immunocompromised travelers.
Malaria in Morocco: very limited risk only in rural areas of Chefchaouen Province. Prophylaxis is not recommended. Insect protection measures are advised for malarious areas.
There is no malaria risk in Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes.
For further information on malaria in Morocco, go to Roll Back Malaria.
The following are the recommended vaccinations for Morocco:
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.
Travelers who are less than one year of age, are pregnant, or have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of gammaglobulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) instead of vaccine.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers. It is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna) consisting of four capsules taken on alternate days until completed. The capsules should be kept refrigerated and taken with cool liquid. Side-effects are uncommon and may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, rash or hives. The alternative is an injectable polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF), given as a single dose. Adverse reactions, which are uncommon, may include discomfort at the injection site, fever and headache. The oral vaccine is approved for travelers at least six years old, whereas the injectable vaccine is approved for those over age two. There are no data concerning the safety of typhoid vaccine during pregnancy. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is probably preferable to the oral vaccine in pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for travelers who will have intimate contact with local residents or potentially need blood transfusions or injections while abroad, especially if visiting for more than six months. It is also recommended for all health care personnel. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.
Rabies vaccine is recommended only for those at high risk for animal bites, such as veterinarians and animal handlers, and for long-term travelers who may have contact with animals and may not have access to medical care. A complete preexposure series consists of three doses of vaccine injected into the deltoid muscle on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. Side-effects may include pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness, or allergic reactions.
Any animal bite or scratch should be thoroughly cleaned with large amounts of soap and water and local health authorities should be contacted immediately for possible post-exposure treatment, whether or not the person has been immunized against rabies.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.
Polio vaccine is not recommended for any adult who completed the recommended childhood immunizations. Polio has not been reported from any country in North Africa (except Egypt) for the last several years.
Cholera vaccine is not recommended. Cholera is not being reported from Morocco at this time.
- Schistosomiasis (acquired by swimming, wading, or bathing in contaminated fresh water; see swimming and bathing precautions below)
- Lymphatic filariasis
- Onchocerciasis
- Tick-borne relapsing fever
- Brucellosis (low incidence)
- West Nile virus (transmitted by mosquitoes)
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is reported, but travelers are not at risk unless they have unprotected sexual contacts or receive injections or blood transfusions.
For public health information, go to the Ministry of Health website (in French).
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass.
All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals). For rural and forested areas, boots are preferable, with pants tucked in, to prevent tick bites. Apply insect repellents containing 20-35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) or 20% picaridin (Bayrepel) to exposed skin (but not to the eyes, mouth, or open wounds). DEET may also be applied to clothing. Products with a lower concentration of either repellent need to be repplied more frequently. Products with a higher concentration of DEET carry an increased risk of neurologic toxicity, especially in children, without any additional benefit. Do not use either DEET or picaridin on children less than two years of age. For additional protection, apply permethrin-containing compounds to clothing, shoes, and bed nets. Permethrin-treated clothing appears to have little toxicity. Don’t sleep with the window open unless there is a screen. If sleeping outdoors or in an accomodation that allows entry of mosquitoes, use a bed net, preferably impregnated with insect repellent, with edges tucked in under the mattress. The mesh size should be less than 1.5 mm. If the sleeping area is not otherwise protected, use a mosquito coil, which fills the room with insecticide through the night. In rural or forested areas, perform a thorough tick check at the end of each day with the assistance of a friend or a full-length mirror. Ticks should be removed with tweezers, grasping the tick by the head. Many tick-borne illnesses can be prevented by prompt tick removal.
Swimming and bathing precautions
Avoid swimming, wading, or rafting in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers. Do not use fresh water for bathing or showering unless it has been heated to 150 degrees F for at least five minutes or held in a storage tank for at least three days. Toweling oneself dry after unavoidable or accidental exposure to contaminated water may reduce the likelihood of schistosomiasis, but does not reliably prevent the disease and is no substitute for the precautions above.
The beaches near Casablanca are polluted and unsafe for swimming.
Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity.Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.
Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.
Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.
Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.
In the event of a car accident resulting in injuries, the police emergency number is 190, but an ambulance may not be available. For an ambulance in Casablanca, call Amal Assistance at 022-36-44-36 or 022-39-20-03 or SOS Medecins Maroc at 022-25-25-25.
For a guide to physicians, dentists, pharmacies, and other medical services in Morocco, go to the U.S. Embassy website. Adequate medical care for routine problems is available in the larger cities, expecially Rabat and Casablanca, but emergency and specialized treatment may be limited. Most doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance. Serious medical problems will require air evacuation to a country with state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed (see the U.S. Embassy website).
All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).
When traveling with young children, be particularly careful about what you allow them to eat and drink (see food and water precautions), because diarrhea can be especially dangerous in this age group and because the vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid fever, which are transmitted by contaminated food and water, are not approved for children under age two. Baby foods and cows’ milk may not be available in developing nations. Only commercially bottled milk with a printed expiration date should be used. Young children should be kept well-hydrated and protected from the sun at all times.
Be sure to pack a medical kit when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, oral replacement salts, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections.
International travel should be avoided by pregnant women with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or a history of complications during previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage or premature labor. For pregnant women in good health, the second trimester (18–24 weeks) is probably the safest time to go abroad and the third trimester the least safe, since it’s far better not to have to deliver in a foreign country.
Before departure, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency obstetric care if necessary (see the U.S. Embassy website). In general, pregnant women should avoid traveling to countries which do not have modern facilities for the management of premature labor and other complications of pregnancy.
Strict attention to food and water precautions is especially important for the pregnant traveler because some infections, such as listeriosis, have grave consequences for the developing fetus. Additionally, many of the medications used to treat travelers’ diarrhea may not be given during pregnancy. Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin), should not be given because of concern they might interfere with fetal joint development. Data are limited concerning trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but the drug should probably be avoided during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Options for treating travelers’ diarrhea in pregnant women include azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins. For symptomatic relief, the combination of kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate; Donnagel) appears to be safe, but loperamide (Imodium) should be used only when necessary. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
Useful websites:
http://www.citypopulation.de/Morocco.html
http://www.property-abroad.com/morocco/country-guide/
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/180/country_guide/Africa/Morocco.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/791867.stm
http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_density_0.html