Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains. Morocco's evocative names are alone enough to tempt the traveler. Bustling souks, snake charmers, elegant cuisine, the Sahara, and a receptive population ad brilliant detail to a bright North African picture.

• TOTAL AREA: 446,550 sq km

• LAND AREA: 446,300 sq km

• WATER AREA: 250 sq km

• POPULATION: 33,241,259

• RELIGIONS: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

• LANGUAGES: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Constitutional Monarchy

• CAPITAL CITY: Rabat

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: Moroccan dirham (MAD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC 0