Casablanca
Casablanca is the business capital of Morocco, located on the Atlantic
Ocean. It is a common staring point for visitors flying into the country. It is the largest city with a population of 4 millions. It is the cosmopolitan, industrial and the economic heart of Morocco
The City was settled by Berbers by at least the 7th century. The area was then named Anfa.
During 14th century, under the Merinids, Anfa rose in importance as a port. In the early 15th century, the town became an independent state and emerged as a safe harbor for pirates and privateers, leading to it being targeted by the Portuguese, who destroyed the town in 1468.
The Portuguese used the ruins of Anfa to build a military fortress in 1515. The town that grew up around it was called "Casa Branca", meaning "White House" in Portuguese.
Between 1580-1640, The city was part of Spain, and later it became part of Portugal again. The European Colonists eventually abandoned the area completely in 1755 following an earthquake which destroyed most of the town.
The town was finally reconstructed by sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah (1756–1790), the grandson of Moulay Ismail and ally of George Washington with the help of Spaniards from the nearby emporium. The town was called الدار البيضاء ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ (translation in Arabic of the original Spanish Casa Blanca that means white house).
The city is worth spending a day to see its historical Medina and the contemporary Hassan II Mosque, towering majestically from sea to sky, or spending an evening of hot music at one or other of its top-class nightclubs.
What to See:
Hassan II Mosque - Located on the ocean, is the third largest in the world after Mecca and Medina. It is open to visitors, including non-Muslims. Tour, 120 Dh (1100 Dh for the VIP tour) every two hours starting at 9 am, free entry just before the hour of prayer. Must remove their shoes to go inside, covered with traditional mats. The photos are allowed. No access on Fridays
Medina - Much less ancient, and far less extensive than its cousins of Moroccan cities, is located near the train station, the harbor and the Hassan II Mosque.
Casa Art Deco - The Moorish style and art deco dominate the city center of Casablanca, including urban planning was designed by the French in the 30s, giving the city, in addition to building highly aesthetic, architectural coherence to all Remarkably, that certainly deserves a walk.
The Habous - Also called "new town", the Endowments are a medina built at the same time by the French. In appearance very neat, neighborhood based, is far from the bustle of traditional Moroccan medina.
