Citizendia

For the film, see Casablanca (film). Casablanca ( is an American Romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and
For other uses, see Casablanca (disambiguation).
Casablanca
Anfa / الدار البيضاء
Dar-el-Baida
Casablanca city center
Casablanca city center
Casablanca (Morocco)
Casablanca
Casablanca
location of Casablanca in Morocco
Coordinates: 33°32′N 7°35′W / 33.533, -7.583
CountryMorocco
administrative regionGreater Casablanca
First settled7th century
reconstructed1756
Government
 - TypeMonarchy
 - rulerMohammed VI
 - MajorMohammed Sajid
Area
 - City324 km² (125. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa The article is about the geographic sense of the term For other uses including Regions and Regional, see Region (disambiguation. Greater Casablanca ( French: Grand Casablanca Arabic: جهة الدار البيضاء الكبرى is A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or King Mohammed VI (محمد السادس born in 1963 is the King of Morocco. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 1 sq mi)
Population
 - City3. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 1 million (2,005 est. )
 - Density9,132/km² (23,651. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 8/sq mi)
 - Urban3. 85 million (Grand Casablanca)
 - Urban Density2,383/km² (6,171. Greater Casablanca ( French: Grand Casablanca Arabic: جهة الدار البيضاء الكبرى is 9/sq mi)
Postal code20000-20200
Website: http://www.casablanca.ma/

Casablanca (Spanish for "whitehouse" {Casa = House, blanca = white} ; Amazigh: Anfa; Standard Arabic: الدار البيضاء; Moroccan Arabic: dar beïda) is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. Nomenclature The term Berber has been used in Europe since at least the 17th century and is still used today Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Moroccan Arabic (also known as Darija, الدارجة) is the variety of Arabic spoken in the Arabic -speaking areas of Morocco A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa It is the capital of the Greater Casablanca region. Greater Casablanca ( French: Grand Casablanca Arabic: جهة الدار البيضاء الكبرى is

With a population of 3. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology 1 million (3. 85 million in the "greater Casablanca" (September 2005 census, unofficially up to 6 million according to inhabitants), Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population ||-||-|-||-||-||-||-||-||-|} A port is a facility for receiving Ships and transferring cargo It's also the biggest city in the Maghreb and the sixth biggest city in the entire continent of Africa. The Maghreb (المغرب العربي al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī) also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb) meaning "place of Sunset With a majority of the modern economic sector being based in the Casablanca region, and the Casablanca area being dominant in industrial and service sector activity, it is often and justifiably referred to as the economic capital, although Morocco's political capital is Rabat. Rabat ( Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ) population 2 million ( 2007 estimate) is the It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy. The Royal Moroccan Navy is the naval branch of the Military of Morocco.

Casablanca is the leading city hosting headquarters and main industrial facilities for the leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historic position as the main industrial zone of the country. The Port of Casablanca is considered as Morocco's chief port and as one of the largest artificial ports in the world. The Port of Casablanca (ميناء الدار البيضاء refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct Maritime trade handling functions in Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa ||-||-|-||-||-||-||-||-||-|} A port is a facility for receiving Ships and transferring cargo [1] It is also the largest port of the Maghreb and North Africa. The Maghreb (المغرب العربي al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī) also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb) meaning "place of Sunset North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan [2]

Contents

History

Main article: History of Casablanca

Before the French Protectorate

The area which is today Casablanca was settled by Berbers by at least the 7th century. Casablanca played an important role in African history as soon as itbegan to develop at the beginning of the 20th century especially since the 1920's Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. [3] A small independent kingdom, in the area then named Anfa, arose in the area around that time in response to Arab Muslim rule, and continued until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068. Anfa (أنفا is the area which is today Casablanca Morocco. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion The Almoravids, was a Berber dynasty from the Sahara that spread over a wide area of North-Western Africa and the Iberian peninsula during

Casablanca seen from Spot Satellite
Casablanca seen from Spot Satellite

During 14th century, under the Merinids, Anfa rose in importance as a port. The Anglicised name used for this article derives from the Arabic Banu Marin (also Benī Merīn, which is the source of the Spanish name In the early 15th century, the town became an independent state once again, and emerged as a safe harbour for pirates and privateers, leading to it being targeted by the Portuguese, who destroyed the town in 1468. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Portuguese used the ruins of Anfa to build a military fortress in 1515. The town that grew up around it was called "Casabranca", meaning "White House" in Portuguese.

Between 1580-1640 was part of Spain, and later part of Portugal again. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. They eventually abandoned the area completely in 1755 following an earthquake which destroyed most of the town. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer

The town was finally reconstructed by sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah (1756-1790), the grandson of Moulay Ismail and ally of George Washington. Sultan (سلطان is an Islamic title with several historical meanings Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Qatib (c 1710-1790 (محمد الثالث بن عبد الله الخطيب was Sultan of Morocco from 1757 to 1790 under the Alaouite Moulay Ismail Ibn Sharif ( 1634? or 1645?-1727 reigned 1672-1727 (مولاي إسماعيل بن الشريف ابن النصر was the second ruler of the Moroccan The town was called Dar el Beida (white house) in Arabic and Casa Blanca in Spanish.

In the 19th century, the area's population began to grow as Casablanca became a major supplier of wool to the booming textile industry in Britain and shipping traffic increased (the British, in return, began importing Morocco's now famous national drink, gunpowder tea). The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Gunpowder tea ( 珠[[wiktionary 茶|茶]] Pinyin: zhū chá is a form of green Chinese tea produced in Zhejiang Province of China By the 1860s, there were around 5,000 residents, and the population grew to around 10,000 by the late 1880s. [4] Casablanca remained a modestly-sized port, with a population reaching around 12,000 within a few years of the French conquest and arrival of French colonialists in the town, at first administrators within a sovereign sultanate, in 1906. France was a dominant empire in the world from the 1600s to the late 1960s possessing many colonies in various locations around the world By 1921, this was to rise to 110,000,[5] largely through the development of bidonvilles. Shanty towns (also called Squatter camps or Favelas are settlements (sometimes illegal or unauthorized of impoverished people who live in improvised

French rule

Main article: French Morocco
A view on the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca
A view on the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca
Boulevard Mohamed el Hansali in 1950s
Boulevard Mohamed el Hansali in 1950s

In June 1907, the French attempted to build a light railway near the port and passing through a graveyard. Light railway refers to a Railway built at lower costs and to lower standards than typical "heavy rail" Residents attacked the French workers, and riots ensued. French troops were landed in order to restore order, which was achieved only after severe damage to the town. The French then took control of Casablanca. This effectively began the process of colonialisation, although French control of Casablanca was not formalised until 1910.

The famous 1942 film Casablanca underlined the city's colonial status at the time -- depicting it as the scene of a power struggle between competing European powers, carried out with little reference to the local population. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Casablanca ( is an American Romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and The film's vast cosmopolitan cast of characters (American, French, German, Czech, Norse, Bulgarian, Russian and some other nationalities) includes only a single (uncredited) Arab character, "Abdul" the doorman whose role is marginal.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Casablanca was a major centre of anti-French rioting. A terrorist bomb on Christmas Day of 1953 caused terrible casualties.

The Casablanca Conference

Casablanca was an important strategic port during World War II and hosted the Casablanca Conference in 1943, in which Churchill and Roosevelt discussed the progress of the war. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Casablanca Conference (codenamed SYMBOL was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, then a French Protectorate, from January 14 to Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 Casablanca was the site of a large American air base, which was the staging area for all American aircraft for the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The European Theater of Operations (ETO is the term used in the United States to refer to US operations north of Italy and World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Since independence

Morocco regained independence from France on the 2nd of March, 1956.

In 1930, Casablanca hosted a Formula One Grand Prix. The race was held at the new Anfa Racecourse. The Ain-Diab Circuit was a Formula One road circuit built in 1957, south west of Ain-Diab in Morocco, using the existing coast road and the main In 1958, the race was held at Ain-Diab circuit - (see Moroccan Grand Prix). Ain Diab is a commune located at the Corniche of Casablanca, Morocco. The Moroccan Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor racing event begun in 1925 in Casablanca, Morocco with the official denomination In 1983, Casablanca hosted the Mediterranean Games. The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport games held every four years mainly for nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, where Europe Africa and Asia meet

The city is now developing a tourism industry. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel Casablanca has become the economic and business capital of Morocco, while Rabat is the political capital. Rabat ( Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ) population 2 million ( 2007 estimate) is the

In March 2000, women's groups organised demonstrations in Casablanca proposing reforms to the legal status of women in the country. 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). The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning "the practice of multiple marriage" is used in related ways in Social anthropology, Sociobiology, and A Talaq ( الطلاق) is the Islamic term for Divorce and is used to end a marriage or Nikāħ (النكاح 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. King Mohammed VI (محمد السادس born in 1963 is the King of Morocco. Mudawana ( مدونة) is the family code of Morocco. Based on the Maliki school of Sunni Islam, the code has been praised

On May 16, 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. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The 2003 Casablanca bombings were a series of Suicide bombings on May 16, 2003, in Casablanca, Morocco. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The

A string of suicide bombings struck the city in early 2007. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A suspected militant blew himself up at a Casablanca internet cafe on March 11, 2007. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. On April 10, three suicide bombers blew themselves up during a police raid of their safe house. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama [6] Two days later, police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. [7] On April 14, two brothers blew themselves up in downtown Casablanca, one near the American Consulate, and one a few blocks away near the American Language Center. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Only one person was injured aside from the bombers, but the Consulate was closed for more than a month. [8]

Economy

The Greater Casablanca region is considered the locomotive of the development of the Moroccan economy. Greater Casablanca ( French: Grand Casablanca Arabic: جهة الدار البيضاء الكبرى is Morocco 's economy is considered a relatively Liberal economy governed by the law of supply and demand. It attracts 32% of the country’s production units and 56% of industrial labor. Industrial labour is labour in Industry, mostly understood as Manufacturing, but can include related service workers such as Cleaners and The region uses 30% of the national electricity production. With MAD 93 billion, the region contributes to 44% of the Industrial production of the Kingdom. 33% of national industrial exportations, MAD 27 billions, which is comparably with US $ 3. 6 billion, come from the Greater Casablanca. 30% of Moroccan banking network is concentrated in Casablanca.

One of the most important Casablancan exports is phosphorate. Other industries include fishing, fish canning, sawmilling, furniture making, building materials, glass, textiles, electronics, leather work, processed food, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and cigarettes.

The Casablanca and Mohammedia seaports activity represent 50% of the international commercial flows of Morocco. The Port of Casablanca (ميناء الدار البيضاء refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct Maritime trade handling functions in Mohammédia (also called Fedhala (in Arabic المحمدية is a port city located 15 miles northeast of Casablanca in western Morocco.

Demographics

The population of Grand Casablanca was estimated in 2005 at 3. 85 million. 98% of them live in urban areas. Around 25% of them are under 15 and 9% are over 60 years old. The population of the city is about 11% of the total population of Morocco. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Berber, Arab or mixed Arab-Berber stock Greater Casablanca is also the largest urban area in the Maghreb. Greater Casablanca ( French: Grand Casablanca Arabic: جهة الدار البيضاء الكبرى is The Maghreb (المغرب العربي al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī) also rendered Maghrib (or rarely Moghreb) meaning "place of Sunset [9] The number of inhabitants is however disputed by the locals, who point to a number between 5 and 6 million, citing recent drought years as a reason for many people moving into the city to find work.


Jews in Casablanca

See also: History of the Jews in Morocco

There was a Sephardic Jewish community in Anfa up to its destruction by the Portuguese in 1468. Moroccan Jews constitute an ancient community Before the founding of Israel in 1948, there were about 250000 Jews in the country but fewer Sephardi Jews ( Hebrew: ספרדי, Standard Səfardi Tiberian Səp̄arədî; plural Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Anfa (أنفا is the area which is today Casablanca Morocco. Jews were slow to return to the town, but by 1750 the Rabbi Elijah Synagogue was built as the first Jewish temple in Casablanca. A synagogue (from Greek: grc συναγωγή transliterated synagogē, "assembly" he בית כנסת beit knesset, "house of It was destroyed along with much of the town in the earthquake of 1755. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer [3]

By the beginning of the 20th century, Casablanca was home to about 6,000 Jews - more than a quarter of the population. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Casablanca has been associated with Judaism more than any other city in North Africa. North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan The Jewish population snowballed in the mid 20th century, partly because of the development of social support structures for Jewish incomers and partly, after the European Holocaust, because of an increased desire of some Jews for the protection of a large Jewish community. The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as

Between the 1940s and 1960s, the Jewish population of Casablanca was around 70,000. Emigration to France, Canada, the United States and Israel from Casablanca has been substantial since then, however. "Emigrant" redirects here For the Butterflies, see Catopsilia. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Large numbers of expatriates retain Moroccan citizenship and a Moroccan identity. An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing Fewer than 5,000 Jews remain in the city today. Here is a list of a few synagogues in Casablanca:

An Israeli theatre play, extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960's and later made into a film, was called Casablan, depicting the difficult life in a Jaffa slum of the eponimous young Morrocan Jewish immigrant, evidently originating from Casablanca (see Hebrew Wikipedia [1])

Notable physical landmarks

Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque
Walls of Old Medina in Casablanca
Walls of Old Medina in Casablanca
Casablanca Twin Center
Casablanca Twin Center

The French period New Town of Casablanca was designed by the French architect Henri Prost and was a model of a new town at that time. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Jaffa يَافَا;(יָפוֹ Yafo; also Japho, Joppa) is an ancient Port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world The Hassan II Mosque (مسجد الحسن الثاني is a Mosque located in Casablanca, Morocco. The Casablanca Twin Centre ( Arabic: برجي الدار البيضاء ( French: Tours Jumelles de Casablanca) is a complex of two Skyscrapers The main streets of the New Town (Ville Nouvelle in French) radiate south and east from Place des Nations Unies, where the main market of Anfa had been. Anfa (أنفا is the area which is today Casablanca Morocco. The New Town is possibly the most impressive in Morocco. Former admistrative buildings and modern hotels populate the area. Their style is a combination of Hispano-Mauresque and Art Deco styles. Islamic architecture has encompassed a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day influencing the design and construction Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial

Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. The Hassan II Mosque (مسجد الحسن الثاني is a Mosque located in Casablanca, Morocco. Michel Pinseau ( 1924 - September 15 1999) was a French Architect. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. A promontory is a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water (when it may be called a Peninsula or headland) A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres. For the mountain formation see Minarets (California. Minarets ( Arabic manara (lighthouse منارة but more usually مئذنة The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International

Work on the mosque was started in 1980, and was intended to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former Moroccan king, Hassan II, in 1989. This is a partial list of rulers in Morocco, including the historical precursors to the modern state King Hassan II (صاحب الجلالة الملك الحسن الثاني class However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993. Authorities spent an estimated $800 million in the construction of the building.

The Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) is the city's largest public park. A park is a protected area of Land and Water, usually in its natural or semi-natural (landscaped state and set aside for some purpose often to do with human On its edge is situated the Cathedrale du Sacré Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque architecture. Moorish Revival or Neo-Moorish is one of the exotic revival Architectural styles that were adopted by architects of Europe and the Americas in the wake of the

The 45 meters high El Hank lighthouse (built in 1905 and renovated between 1914 and 1917)
The 45 meters high El Hank lighthouse (built in 1905 and renovated between 1914 and 1917)

The Old Medina (the part of town pre-dating the French protectorate) attracts fewer tourists than the medinas of other Moroccan towns, such as Fes and Marrakech. In International law, a protectorate is a autonomous territory that is "protected" by a stronger state or entity hense the protector which engages to protect A medina quarter (المدينة العتيقة is a distinct city section found in many North African cities Fes or Fez ( Arabic: فاس, French Fès is the fourth largest City in Morocco, after Casablanca, Rabat Marrakesh or Marrakech ( Amazigh: Murakush, Arabic مراكش Murrakush) known as the "Red City" However, it has undergone some restoration in recent years. Included in this project have been the western walls of the medina, its skala, or bastion, and its colonial-period clock tower. A bastion is a structure projecting outward from the main enclosure of a Fortification, situated in both corners of a straight wall (termed curtain with the shape

The city is served by Anfa Airport and Mohammed V International Airport, and its port is one of the largest artificial ports in the world. Mohammed V International Airport ( French: Aéroport international Mohammed V ( Arabic: مطار محمد الخامس الدولي transliterated

List of notable landmarks

Transport

Trains

Casablanca is served by two rail stations run by the national rail service, the ONCF. The Port of Casablanca (ميناء الدار البيضاء refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct Maritime trade handling functions in The Casablanca Cathedral (known as Cathédrale Sacré-Cœur) is a Catholic Cathedral located in Casablanca, Morocco. Casablanca Technopark is an Information technology Business cluster complex located at Casablanca, Morocco. The Casablanca Twin Centre ( Arabic: برجي الدار البيضاء ( French: Tours Jumelles de Casablanca) is a complex of two Skyscrapers The Hassan II Mosque (مسجد الحسن الثاني is a Mosque located in Casablanca, Morocco. Lycée Lyautey is the name of a High school belonging to the French Mission in Casablanca, Morocco. Mohammed V International Airport ( French: Aéroport international Mohammed V ( Arabic: مطار محمد الخامس الدولي transliterated ONCF or ONCFM (in French - O ffice N ational des C hemins de F er du M aroc National Office for Railways of The main long haul station is Casa-Voyageurs, from which trains run south to Marrakech or El Jadida and north to Rabat, and then on either to Tangier or Meknes, Fes ,Taza and Oujda. Marrakesh or Marrakech ( Amazigh: Murakush, Arabic مراكش Murrakush) known as the "Red City" El Jadida (الجديدة is a port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, in the province of El Jadida. Rabat ( Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ) population 2 million ( 2007 estimate) is the Tangier or Tangiers ]] ( Tanja طنجة in Berber and Arabic, Tánger in Spanish Meknes (مكناس is a city in northern Morocco, located 130 kilometres from the capital Rabat and 60 kilometres from Fes. Fes or Fez ( Arabic: فاس, French Fès is the fourth largest City in Morocco, after Casablanca, Rabat Oujda (وجدة is a city in eastern Morocco with an estimated population of half a million inhabitants A dedicated airport shuttle service to Mohammed V International Airport also has its primary in-city stop at this station, for connections on to further destinations. Mohammed V International Airport ( French: Aéroport international Mohammed V ( Arabic: مطار محمد الخامس الدولي transliterated

The second station, Casa-Port, serves primarily commuter trains running the Casablanca - Kenitra corridor, with some connecting trains with running on to Gare de Casa-Voyageurs. Kenitra ( Arabic name القنيطرة, transliterated: Al-Qonaitirah, the little bridge) is a city in Morocco, formerly www. oncf. ma

Coaches

CTM coaches (intercity buses) and various private lines run services to most notable Moroccan towns as well as a number of European cities. These run from the Gare Routière on Rue Léon l'Africain in downtown Casablanca.

Air

Casablanca's main airport is Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco's busiest airport. Mohammed V International Airport ( French: Aéroport international Mohammed V ( Arabic: مطار محمد الخامس الدولي transliterated Regular domestic flights serve Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, Oujda, and Tangier, Laayoune as well as other cities. Marrakesh or Marrakech ( Amazigh: Murakush, Arabic مراكش Murrakush) known as the "Red City" Rabat ( Arabic الرباط, transliterated ar-Rabāṭ or ar-Ribāṭ) population 2 million ( 2007 estimate) is the Agadir ( Arabic ~since it is not an Arabic word it is modified as follows أڴادير or أغادير, Berber (Amazigh) is a city in Oujda (وجدة is a city in eastern Morocco with an estimated population of half a million inhabitants Tangier or Tangiers ]] ( Tanja طنجة in Berber and Arabic, Tánger in Spanish El-Aaiún (also transliterated "Laâyoune" or "El Ayun"( Arabic: العيون transliterated al-`ayūn) is a city in

Casablanca is well served by international flights to Europe, especially French and Spanish airports, and has regular connections to North American, Middle Eastern and sub-Saharan African destinations. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. New York, Dakar and Dubai are important primary destinations. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous For the Dakar Rally see Dakar Rally. For the Israeli submarine see INS Dakar. Dubai (in دبيّ,) is one of the seven emirates and most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE

The older, smaller Casablanca Anfa airport to the west of the city which served certain destinations including Sydney, Damascus, and Tunis is scheduled to close to civilian traffic in 2006. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. Tunis ( Arabic: تونس Tūnis) is the Capital of the Tunisian Republic and also the Tunis

Taxis

Registered taxis in Casablanca are coloured red and known as petits taxis (small taxis), or coloured white and known as grands taxis (big taxis). A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of Public transport for a single passenger or small group of passengers typically for a non-shared ride Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength As is standard Moroccan practice, petits taxis, typically small-four door Fiat Uno or similar cars, provide metered cab service in the central metropolitan areas. The Fiat Uno is a Supermini car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat. Grands taxis, generally older Mercedes-Benz sedans, provide shared mini-bus like service within the city on pre-defined routes, or shared inter-city service. Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury Automobiles Buses coaches and Trucks It is currently a division of the "Microbus" redirects here For the Volkswagen Microbus see Volkswagen Type 2. Grands Taxis may also be hired for private service by the hour or day, although typically only foreigners do so. It should be noted that driving in Casablanca is a highly dangerous activity, and consequently being a pedestrian is also extremely risky. Lanes are not respected, indicators are rarely used and the horn is considered as requiring of regular use as the brake or accelerator. Pedestrian crossings should not be interpreted as such.

Metro (planned)

An underground railway system is currently being projected, which when constructed will potentially offer some relief to the problems of traffic congestion and poor air quality. The metro will not be ready before 2017.

Tram (planned)

A tram system is currently in the project phase.

List of main Casablanca's locations

Satellite image of Casablanca
Satellite image of Casablanca
An aerial view of Casablanca
An aerial view of Casablanca

Districts

Arrondissements

  • Ain Sebaa
  • Belvédère
  • 2 Mars
  • Bouchentouf
  • Bourgogne
  • Centre Ville (City Center)
  • Californie
  • C. Ain Chock is a commune southeast of Casablanca, Morocco, on the road to El Jadida. Ain Diab is a commune located at the Corniche of Casablanca, Morocco. Ain Sebaa is an industrial commune located at the north-east of Casablanca, Morocco to the road to Mohammedia. Anfa (أنفا is the area which is today Casablanca Morocco. I. L.
  • Derb Gallef
  • Derb Sultan Al Fida
  • Derb TAZI
  • Hay Dakhla ("Derb Lihoudi") (quartier Martinet)
  • El Hank
  • El Hay El Mohammadi
  • Hay Farah
  • Gauthier
  • Habous
  • Hay Moulay Rachid
  • La Gironde
  • La Colline
  • Laimoun (Hay Hassani)
  • Lissasfa
  • Maarif
  • Old Madina (Mdina Qdima)
  • Mers Sultan
  • Nisaam
  • Oasis
  • Oulfa
  • Polo
  • Racine
  • Riviera
  • Roches Noires
  • Sbaata
  • Sidi Bernoussi
  • Sidi Moumen
  • Sidi Maarouf
  • Sidi Othman

International relations

Sister cities

Partner cities

Education

Colleges and Universities

K through 12

Sports

People born in Casablanca

See also: Category:People from Casablanca

Casablanca in fiction

Images

Logo of Casablanca

Satellite image

References

  1. ^ Casablanca - Encyclopedia of the Orient
  2. ^ Discovering Casablanca - The Africa Travel Association
  3. ^ a b Casablanca - Jewish Virtual Library
  4. ^ Pennel, CR: Morocco from Empire to Independence, Oneworld, Oxford, 2003, p 121
  5. ^ Pennel, CR: Morocco from Empire to Independence, Oneworld, Oxford, 2003, p 149
  6. ^ Terror Cell: 'Police Hold Fifth Man' April 12, 2007
  7. ^ Casablanca on alert after suicide bombings April 12 2007
  8. ^ U.S. Shuts Morocco Consulate After Bomb April 15, 2007
  9. ^ Casablanca.ma
  10. ^ Kuala Lumpur fact file, Asian-Pacific City Summit. The Jewish Virtual Library is an online Encyclopedia published by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE Retrieved on December 31, 2007.

Bahiyyih Maroon, “Leisure Space: Thematic Style and Cultural Exclusion in Casablanca,” pp. 137-151 in The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self, ed. Scott A. Lukas (Lanham, MD, Lexington Books, 2007), ISBN 0739121421

See also

External links

Casablanca played an important role in African history as soon as itbegan to develop at the beginning of the 20th century especially since the 1920's
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