Morocco is divided into 16 administrative regions, which are in turn subdivided into 65 provinces and prefectures. The regions are administered by regional councils, whose members are either elected by communal councils or appointed by the minister of the interior. The provinces and prefectures are subdivided into communes.

The highest tribunal in Morocco is the Supreme Court, which sits in Rabat. The country also has 15 courts of appeal. Cases involving small sums of money are heard by local tribunals, and more important cases are initiated in regional tribunals. In addition, the country has 14 labor tribunals.

Health services are fairly well developed in Morocco’s cities, but health conditions in rural areas remain poor. The state-run health-care system offers free care, but is limited in its reach and resources. The private system consists of profit-making clinics. Folk medicine is still practiced in rural areas. The government provides for social security benefits.

Military service of 18 months is compulsory for males in Morocco. The army in 2004 numbered 180,000, the air force 13,000, and the navy 7,800.

The history of the region comprising present-day Morocco has been shaped by the interaction of the original Berber population and the various peoples who successively invaded the country.