MARRAKECH POPULATION: Approximately 1.3 million (2023 estimate).

AREA: 230 square kilometers (city area).

LAND BOUNDARIES: Marrakech is landlocked and located within Morocco, bordered by other Moroccan provinces.

AVERAGE ALTITUDE: 466 meters above sea level.

TERRAIN: A mix of flat plains and the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The terrain is characterized by arid zones and fertile oases.

PEOPLE: Primarily Arab and Amazigh (Berber) populations, with a mix of locals and expatriates.

LANGUAGES: Arabic (official), Tamazight (Berber, also official), French (widely used in business and administration) and English.

RELIGIONS: Predominantly Sunni Muslim, with a historic Jewish community.

LITERACY RATE: Approximately 73% (national average, varies slightly for Marrakech).

CLIMATE: Semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 12°C in January to 37°C in July. In early November, Marrakech enjoys mild, sunny weather, with daytime temperatures of 22-27°C and cooler mornings and evenings at 10-15°C, ideal for outdoor events.

POLITICAL SYSTEM: Constitutional monarchy.

LEGISLATURE: Bicameral parliament (House of Representatives and House of Councillors).

JUDICIAL SYSTEM: Independent judiciary with courts based on French and Islamic law.

STATE STRUCTURE: Unitary state with centralized governance.

NATIONAL CURRENCY: Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

FISCAL YEAR: Calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

MAIN ENTRY POINTS: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), main highways from Casablanca and Agadir.

SEA ACCESS: Nearest seaport is in Casablanca, approximately 240 km away.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Includes Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, etc.), Throne Day (July 30), Independence Day (November 18), and others.

TIME: GMT+1 year-round.

NORMAL WORKING HOURS: Typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break. Government offices often operate from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

ELECTRIC CURRENT: 220 volts, 50 Hz. European-style plugs are standard.

WEIGHT AND MEASURES: Metric system.

VISA ARRANGEMENTS: Visa-exempt for nationals of many countries, including the EU, the US, and Canada, for stays of up to 90 days. Others require a visa, which must be obtained prior to arrival. Check visit visa section