Morocco sits at the tip of North East Africa. It touches the Atlantic Ocean and stretches just into the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert stand as bodyguards. The economy is based on the agricultural production of this land. It becomes an active Free Trade member of the European Union in 2010. The money is listed as MAD. It is the dirham with 100 santims/centimes equal to 1 dirham.
History
Morocco has undergone many changes in its currency since the first appearance of coins in the 2nd century B.C. Under the rule of Mauitania, it used Mauritanian currency with one of the mints being Lix (Lareche). Local coins in circulation include bronze at Tingis (Tangier) as well as Lix and Tamuda. Roman coins also emerged dominant under the Romans. These Imperial coins fell along with the Empire with the incursion of the Vandals.
The Vandals produced some currency but the next interesting money came from the hands of Islamic producers. Around AD 699, the first Islamic coins appeared in Tangiers. The bronze money was of a strange design combining Latin text and Arabic inscription with a vandal-type head. There were also coins with strictly Vandal and Arabic designs.
Under the Independent Caliphs, Morocco, under the Caliph of Idrisids of Fez, released silver coins. The Fatamid rulers of Tunisia overthrew the Idrisids and introduced gold coins in a Tunisian style (920s). Local coins continued to produce coins mimicking the Fatamid rulers’ currency long after their fall. By the 10th and early 11th centuries, Northern Morocco was under Spanish rule. Two types of currency appeared. The Umayyads produced silver coins at al-Nakir and Fez. The Hammudids minted coins in Ceuta on the Straits of Gibraltar. Later in the 11th century, massive gold coins came out of the mints of Marrakesh and Fez. This was partly the result of the Holy War by Murabitum. Extensive gold coinage continued under the Muwahhids. They also introduced small and square silver coins as well as various coins from local leaders.
The Sharifs eventually took control of Morocco starting their fight in the 15th century. They produced coins in Marrakesh with western-style numerals and no religious inscriptions. They also experimented with weight and size. By the end of the 18th century, the Sharif began to cast coins in lots, creating a distinctive design. The new coins featured a large star on the obverse. Machine made coins arrived in 1893. The Fez mint struck this type of coin beginning first with small bronze coins of simple designs. Silver coins were struck in the mint in Paris.
In 1912, Morocco became a French Protectorate. Reforms took place in 1921, creating a French-style currency system. Gone were the maranas, dirhanas and rials. In their place were centimes and francs. After 1956 and independence, the new dirhem coins came from British mints. In 1974, the centime or santimat coin made its appearance. New notes had appeared in 1965 replacing the overprints. The addition of both coins and banknotes continued until today the following currency is circulating. Coins consist of 1, 5, 10 and 20 santimat as well as ½, 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirham. Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirham.
Obtaining Moroccan Dirham
You can exchange your own currency at various locations in Morocco. The airport is one place where you can find moneychangers or bureaux de change. There are also banks and ATMs. You can locate AtMs in most cities and larger towns in the country. You can change your money quickly and easily in either. Another option is the hotels.
Protecting Your Currency
Crime in Morocco consists of petty criminal activity. This includes pickpocketing, purse snatching and scams. These are most common around the market areas or medinas. You also have to watch your money on the beaches and in the parks. Be wary of aggressive panhandlers, on the increase in the country’s urban areas. Take the usual precautions and do not wander at night alone. Avoid revealing any indications of personal affluence.
Using Your Moroccan Dirham
If you have local currency, it makes shopping so much easier in souks and Medina. It is easier to haggle and bargain with cash in hand. Why not buy Arabicrea pots or glasses? Pottery is a beautiful gift to bring back home including Moroccan tajne. There are also leather goods, traditional clothes, fine silver rings, bracelets and necklaces. You can purchase traditional goods from the Berber and Tuareg culture. When in doubt, opt for a small handwoven rug.
Travel Tips and Warnings
- If you visit the Rif region, do not accept packages. Check your luggage carefully. This is an area where the people produce hashish. You do not want to commit, unwittingly, a serious offence.
- Always respect the local religious and social traditions.
- Visit Rabbat with its very European architecture and atmosphere. Go to the Kasbah des Oudaias with its 12th century mosque and Andalusian Gardens.
- Fez has the largest Medieval Islamic medina on the planet. Go to Old Fez and admire the Hispanic-Moorish palaces.
- There is the walled medina in Marrakesh and the Souk el-Ghezel and the Souk el-Merzouk of Salé.
- Tangier on the Mediterranean Coast, has the Sultan’s Gardens while Tetouan has the UNESCO World Heritage Median and the Musée Marocaine.
- Go to Paradise Beach at Asilah or head to the famed Casablanca.
- There is also Marrakesh withits rowsof open-air stalls with jugglers and story tellers as well as the Koutoubia Mosque and the palace ruins.
Overview
Morocco
is a country on the tip of the coast of East Africa. It dips into the
Atlantic Ocean and touches the Mediterranean Sea. With the backdrop of
the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains, it provides visitors with a
surrealistic landscape to explore.
For travel information, see www.magicmorocco.com.
Currency Summary
Current currency: dirhams
100 santims/centimes equal 1 dirham
Coins: 1, 5, 10 and 20 santimat; ½, 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirham
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirham