Chaouia plain
Casablanca
State
Country
Morocco
Continent
North Africa
Size
384 KM2
Population
3,793,585
Spending Budget
$385 - $1,540
Famous For
- Hassan II Mosque
- Rick’s Café
Best Time to Visit
- January
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
History
Before 15th century, the settlement at what is now Casablanca had been called Anfa, rendered in European sources variously as El-Anfa, Anafa or Anaffa, Anafe, Anife, Anafee, Nafe, and Nafee. Ibn Khaldun ascribed the name to the Anfaça, a branch of the Auréba tribe of the Maghreb, though the sociologist André Adam refuted this claim due to the absence of the third syllable. Nahum Slouschz gave a Hebrew etymology, citing the Lexicon of Gesenius: anâphâh (a type of bird) kingdom of Barghawata in 744 AD. He believed Anfa was the most "prosperous city on the Atlantic Coast because of its fertile land." Barghawata rose as an independent state around this time, and continued until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068. Following the defeat of the Barghawata in the 12th or anaph (face, figure), though Adam refuted this arguing that even a Judaized population would still have spoken Tamazight. Adam also refuted an Arabic etymology. The area which is today Casablanca was founded and settled by Berbers by at least the seventh century BC. It was used as a port by the Phoenicians and later the Romans.[citation needed] In his book Description of Africa, Leo Africanus refers to ancient Casablanca as "Anfa", a great city founded in the Berber century, Arab tribes of Hilal and Sulaym descent settled in the region, mixing with the local Berbers, which led to widespread Arabization. During the 14th century, under the Merinids, Anfa rose in importance as a port. The last of the Merinids were ousted by a popular revolt in 1465.
Present Day
In March 2000, more than 60 women's groups organized demonstrations in Casablanca proposing reforms to the legal status of women in the country. About 40,000 women attended, calling for a ban on polygamy and the introduction of divorce law (divorce being a purely religious procedure at that time). Although the counter-demonstration attracted half a million participants, the movement for change started in 2000 was influential on King Mohammed VI, and he enacted a new mudawana, or family law, in early 2004, meeting some of the demands of women's rights activists. On 16 May 2003, 33 civilians were killed and more than 100 people were injured when Casablanca was hit by a multiple suicide bomb attack carried out by Moroccans and claimed by some to have been linked to al-Qaeda. Twelve suicide bombers struck five locations in the city.
Future
The Kingdom of Morocco is located in the north-west part of the African continent on an area of 446,550 km. Morocco has a coastline of 1835km on the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In 2016, Morocco had a population of 35.27 million. Great Casablanca is the most populated city in Morocco with 3.35 million inhabitants, along with the metropolitan area Casablanca-Settat it has 6.86 million inhabitants. Fez and Tangier are the second most populated cities with around 1 million inhabi- tants each. In 2016, 60.68% of the country ́s population was living in cities with an urban population growth of 2.16% (World Bank, 2018). In 2017, Morocco’s services and industry sector hadthe highest share of GDP with 56% and 29.1% respectively, while the agricultural sector’s GDP sharewas only 14.8% (CIA, 2017). A referendum for a newconstitution that specifies Sustainable Developmentas a right for each citizen has been held in 2017, contributing to a reformation of the Morocco ́s constitution. This helped to stabilize nationwide development, maintaining the country ́s economic growth and keptinflation below an annual rate of 2% in recent years.
Hassan II Mosque
On the shoreline, just beyond the northern tip of Casablanca's medina (old city), the Hassan II mosque dominates the entire city. Finished in 1993, it is the second largest mosque in the world, covering two hectares in size with the world's tallest minaret (200 meters high). The prayer hall can accommodate 25,000 worshippers, while the courtyard (which boasts a retractable roof) can fit another 80,000.
Medina
Although Casablanca's old city district may not have as much exotic atmosphere as the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, the maze-like tumble of alleyways still hides much to discover. Authentic tradesmen sell their wares to shoppers, with the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker all accounted for. It's a rambling and ramshackle neighborhood with an authentic residential feel, and a great place to experience the pulse of Casablanca life.
Place Mohamed V
Place Mohamed V is the central plaza of Casablanca. It is home to many of the city's important official buildings, including the main post office, Palace of Justice, Prefecture, French consulate, and the main Bank of Morocco. The building facades all sport the neo-Moorish style that French Resident-General Lyautey planned out for the city as he set about modernizing Casablanca in the early 20th century. The square has a central fountain and well-tended gardens. During the evenings, it is a local favorite spot for promenading.
Corniche
Casablanca's Corniche (beachfront district) in the Ain Diab suburb, is the city's vortex for those who want to see and be seen. Much of the shoreline is now home to luxury hotels and restaurants. During the day, the many beach clubs here do a roaring trade, with sun worshipers lapping up the rays and splashing in the club swimming pools. Farther along the shoreline is the public beach.
Cathedral du Sacre Coeur
This graceful cathedral was built in the 1930s, and its architecture is a harmonious blend of both European and Moroccan style. Unfortunately, it has been left to wither in the past few decades, and is now in need of serious restoration. But even in its current dilapidated state, the structure is still beautiful. If you're lucky, the guardian will allow you inside where you can capture a sense of this building's past glory.
Central Market
Casablanca's bustling central market is a must for tourists who want to throw themselves into the midst of city life. Right in the city center, the market is where locals come to buy and sell-be it housewives bartering for vegetables, or grocers yelling out their special deals. It's a great opportunity for photographers and fun for everyone else.
Mohammedia
This sleepy seaside city, about 28 kilometers north of Casablanca, offers some fine beaches and is a relaxing alternative to staying in Casablanca. Although home to Morocco's second largest port, Mohammedia and its tranquil charms haven't been affected by the industry. The little medina is a delight to wander through, while the New Town area is attractively laid out, with grand, palm-tree-lined boulevards.
Safi
About 237 kilometers south of Casablanca, Safi has been an important port since Roman times, but it was the Almohade rulers who surrounded the city with grand ramparts and made it an intellectual and spiritual center. The Portuguese occupied the city in 1508 and added to the architecture by building the stately Dar el Bahar Fortress on the shoreline-now the town's most recognizable monument.
Oualidia
This charming seaside village, about 182 kilometers south of Casablanca, has a chilled-out vibe that's perfect if you're worn out after visiting Morocco's imperial cities. The lovely beach and the Saadian-era Kasbah (fortress district) are reason enough for a trip here, but for many others, Oualidia is all about the seafood. Local restaurant menus list plenty of seafood pulled fresh from the sea that day, making the town a highlight for any traveling foodie.
Azemmour
When tourist boards started promoting Morocco's Atlantic coastline, they somehow left little Azemmour off the list. But this village, 88 kilometers south of Casablanca, has a history stretching back to Punic times, and a wonderful handful of sites showcase that long tenure. The adobe ramparts encircling the medina area are an obvious attraction and they connect to the Kasbah (fortress), which dates from the 16th century.