Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco with a population of almost 4 million. Located on the Atlantic coast,in the central-western part of Morocco, it is the second largest city in the Maghreb region.The closest permanent river to Casablanca is Oum Rabia, 70 km to the south-east.
Casablanca has a mediterranean climate with warm summers, pleasant winters and moderate rainfall (415mm or 16.3 inches).
It is blessed with very good summers, due to being located in the west coast of the Atlantic, which gives very refreshing breezes.
The modern city of Casablanca was founded by Berber fishermen in the 10th Century BC and was subsequently used by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Merenids as a strategic port called Anfa. The Portuguese destroyed it and rebuilt it under the name Casa Branca, only to abandon it after an earthquake in 1755. The Moroccan sultan rebuilt the city as Daru l-Badya.The French occupied the city in 1907, establishing it as a protectorate in 1912 however it gained independence with the rest of the country in 1956. Since independence the European population has decreased substantially. Now 99.9% of the population of Morocco are Arab and Berber Muslims. Arabic, Berber and French are the main languages.
The medina of Casablanca is the oldest part of the city. Two of the original gates of the old city walls still survive. Other attractions include an 18th-century fortress, a jewellery market, and the tomb of Sidi Allal el-Kairouani.Outside the walls of the medina is the town built by the French.
Muḥammad V Square, near the gateway of the old medina, and United Nations Square are the business and administrative centres of the town. Farther south, are the gardens of the Park of the Arab League, and the white Cathedral of the Sacré Coeur.
The neighborhood of Anfa is the most upper-class and westernized in the city.
The Hubous is one of the older neighborhoods and is a cultural and religious center as many traditional and historic buildings are located here. Most prominent of these is Mahkamat al-Pasha.
The Ḥasan II mosque, situated along the coast, is one of the largest and most ornate mosques in the world. The Ain Diab is a commune located in the west of the Hassan II Mosque. It is affluent and famous for the fashionable stretch of coastline known as the Corniche. There are numerous hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and Lalla Meryem Beach and Ain Diab Beach. There is also the ribat and island of Sidi Abderrahman. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world. In the Ain Diab area, "Morocco Mall". is the largest shopping mall in Africa.
. West of the park and stretching toward the coast are the gardens and villas of residential districts, such as Anfa. El Hank Light house is the highest lighthouse in the Morocco.
The 1942 American film Casablanca is set in Casablanca and has had a lasting impact on the city's image. Casablanca has many movie theaters.
The Casablanca Tramway is the rapid transit tram system in Casablanca. A network of buses and taxis provide services. There is also a railway line that runs northeastward to Tangier—and eastward into Algeria and Tunisia. The Casablanca-Nouaceur airport, to the east of the city, provide international services.
The traditional Moroccan bread is called Khobz. There are plenty of small shops all around town selling rotisserie chicken, grilled meats, or grilled sausages. In Casablanca, fish tagines are a particular specialty. Pastilla is a delicious Moroccan sweet and savory meat pie. Cooked in huge steaming pans of broth, snails are a favorite Moroccan street food.
Casablanca has a large number of famous coffee shops and cafés. Wine and liquor are available, but only when eating in the restaurant. Many western-style nightclubs exist in the Maarif and Gironde neighborhoods. Soccer has been the most popular sport. Mohammed V Athletic Complex situated in the heart of the city of Casablanca.
Anomie | Normlessness | Breakdown of social values
by Zaheeruddin Babar
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