Difference between revisions of "Casablanca" - New World Encyclopedia

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Casablanca
الدار البيضاء
Dar-el-Baida
Casablanca city center
Casablanca city center
Coat of arms of Casablanca
Coat of arms
location of Casablanca in Morocco
location of Casablanca in Morocco
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Country Morocco
administrative region Greater Casablanca
First settled 7th century
reconstructed 1756
Government
 - Type monarchy
 - ruler Mohammed VI
 - Major Mohammed Sajid
Area
 - City 324 km² (125.1 sq mi)
Population
 - City 3.1 million (2,005 est.)
 - Density 9,132/km² (23,651.8/sq mi)
 - Urban 3.85 million (Grand Casablanca)
 - Urban Density 2,383/km² (6,171.9/sq mi)
Postal code 20000-20200
Website: http://www.casablanca.ma/

Casablanca (Spanish for "white house" ; Standard Arabic: الدار البيضاء transliterated ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ; Moroccan Arabic: dar beïda) is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Greater Casablanca region.

With a population of 3.1 million (3.8 million in the "great Casablanca (September 2005 census), Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It's also the biggest city in the Maghreb and the sixth biggest city in the entire continent of Africa. 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. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy.

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.[1] It is also the largest port of the Maghreb and North Africa.[2]

History

Before the French Protectorate

The area which is today Casablanca was settled by Berbers by at least the 7th century.[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.

During 14th century, under the Merinids, Anfa rose in importance as a port. 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.

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. They 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 grand-son of Moulay Ismail and ally of George Washington. 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). 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. By 1921, this was to rise to 110,000,[5] largely through the development of bidonvilles

French rule

A view on the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca
File:Casablanca1950s.jpg
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. 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. During the 1940s and 1950s, it was a major centre of anti-French rioting. A terrorist bomb on Christmas Day of 1953 caused terrible casualties.[citation needed]

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. 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.

Since independence

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

In 1930, Casablanca hosted a round of the Formula One world championship. The race was held at the new Anfa Racecourse. In 1958, the race was held at Ain-Diab circuit - (see Moroccan Grand Prix). In 1983, Casablanca hosted the Mediterranean Games.

The city is now developing a tourism industry. Casablanca has become the economic and business capital of Morocco, while Rabat is the political capital.

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). Although 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 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.

A string of suicide bombings struck the city in early 2007. A suspected militant blew himself up at a Casablanca internet cafe on March 11, 2007. On April 10, three suicide bombers blew themselves up during a police raid of their safe house.[6] Two days later, police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid.[7] A local resident said this seemed to be the last of the terrorists involved.

Economy

The Greater Casablanca region is considered the locomotive of the development of the Moroccan economy. It attracts 39% of the country’s production units and 60% of industrial labor. The region uses 35% of the national electricity production. With MAD 86 billion, the region contributes to 54% of the Industrial production of the Kingdom. 41% of national industrial exportations, (MAD 19 billions) come from the Greater Casablanca. 30% of Moroccan banking network is concentrated in Casablanca.

The Casablanca and Mohammedia seaports activity represent 55% of the international commercial flows of Morocco.

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport concentrates 51% of passenger traffic of Morocco.

Demographics

The population of Grand Casablanca was estimated in 2002 at 3.6 million. 98% of them live in urban areas. Around 25% of them are under 15 and 8.7% are over 60 years old. The population of the city is about 12% of the total population of Morocco. Greater Casablanca is also the largest urban area in the Maghreb.[8] {{#invoke:Message box|ambox}}

Jews in Casablanca

There was a Sephardic Jewish community in Anfa up to its destruction by the Portuguese in 1468. Jews were slow to return to the town, but by 1750 there seems to have been enough of them to warrant the building of the first synagogue in Casablanca, the Rabbi Elijah Synagogue, which was destroyed along with much of the town in the earthquake of 1755.[9]

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. 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.

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. Large numbers of expatriates retain Moroccan citizenship and a Moroccan identity. Fewer than 5,000 Jews remain in the city today. Here is a list of a few synagogues in Casablanca:

  • Council of Moroccan Jewish Communities, (Conseil des Communautes Israelites du Maroc), 1, rue Adrienne Lecouver
  • Synagogue Beth-El - 67, Verlet-Hanus
  • Synagogue Téhila Le David - Bd du 11 Janvier
  • Synagogue Benarrosh - Rue de Lusitania
  • Synagogue Em-Habanime - Rue de Lusitania

Notable physical landmarks

File:Morocco Africa Flickr Rosino December 2005 82664690.jpg
Hassan II Mosque
File:001 Casablanka1.jpg
Walls of Old Median in Casablanca
File:Twincenter.jpg
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. 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. 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.

Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. 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 further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres.

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. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993.

The Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) is the city's largest public park. On its edge is situated the Cathedrale du Sacré Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque architecture.

File:Phare Hank.jpg
The 45 meters high El Hank lighthouse (built in 1905 and renovated between 1914 et 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. 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.

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.

List of notable landmarks

  • Port of Casablanca
  • Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur (Catholic Cathedral)
  • City Hall (Casablanca)
  • Casablanca Technopark
  • Casablanca Twin Center
  • Hassan II Mosque
  • Lycée Lyautey
  • Mohammed V International Airport

Transport

Trains

Casablanca is served by two rail stations run by the national rail service, the ONCF. 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 and Oujda. 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.

The second station, Casa-Port, serves primarily commuter trains running the Casablanca - Kenitra corridor, with some connecting trains with running on to Gare des Voyageurs.

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. Regular domestic flights serve Marrakech, Agadir, Oujda, and Tangier, Laayoune in the disputed Western Sahara, as well as other cities.

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. New York, Dakar and Dubai are important primary destinations.

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.

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). 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. 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. Grands Taxis may also be hired for private service by the hour or day, although typically only foreigners do so.

List of main Casablanca's locations

File:Casablancanasa.jpg
Satellite image of Casablanca

Districts

  • Ain Chock
  • Ain Diab
  • Ain Sebaa
  • Anfa
  • Hay Hassani

Arrondissements

  • Belvedere
  • 2 Mars
  • Bourgogne
  • Bernassi
  • Centre Ville (City Center)
  • Californie
  • C.I.L.
  • Derb Gallef
  • Derb Sultan Al Fida
  • El Hank
  • El Hay El Mohammadi
  • Farrar
  • Gautier
  • Habous
  • Hay Moulay Rachid
  • Jorze
  • La Colline
  • Laimoun
  • Lissasfa
  • Maarif
  • Madina Qdima
  • Mers Sultan
  • Nisaam
  • Oasis
  • Oulfa
  • Polo
  • Racine
  • Riviera
  • Roches Noires
  • Sbaata
  • Sidi Bernoussi
  • Sidi Moumen
  • Sidi Maarouf
  • Sidi Othman

Sister Cities

Education

Colleges and Universities

K through 12

Lycée Chawki and tens of other public high schools

Sports

  • Raja Casablanca
  • Wydad Casablanca

People born in Casablanca

  • Zakaria Aboub - Moroccan footballer.
  • Karim Alami - Moroccan Tennis player.
  • Amine - French-Moroccan songwriter.
  • Hicham Arazi - Moroccan Tennis player.
  • Salaheddine Bassir - Moroccan footballer.
  • Larbi Benbarek - Moroccan footballer.
  • Jean-Paul Bertrand-Demanes - French footballer.
  • Bigg - Moroccan Hip hop singer.
  • Merieme Chadid - Moroccan astronomer.
  • Jean-Charles de Castelbajac - French fashion designer.
  • Gad Elmaleh - Moroccan comedian.
  • Nawal El Moutawakel - Olympic champion.
  • Sofia Essaïdi - French-Moroccan songwriter.
  • Guy Forget - French Tennis player.
  • Imad Kotbi - Moroccan radio presenter.
  • Laila Marrakchi - Moroccan film director.
  • Hicham Mesbahi - Moroccan boxer.
  • Noureddine Naybet - Moroccan footballer.
  • Mostafa Nissaboury - Moroccan poet.
  • Hakim Noury - Moroccan film director.
  • Maurice Ohana - French composer.
  • Jean Reno - French Hollywood actor.
  • Alain Souchon - French songwriter.
  • Richard Virenque - French cyclist.
  • Abdallah Zrika - Moroccan poet.

Casablanca in fiction

  • Casablanca is the setting of the eponymous film from 1942 starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The film has achieved worldwide popularity since then, having also won three Oscars and been nominated in five additional categories.
  • The city is featured in The Mysterious Caravan Volume 54 in the original The Hardy Boys.
  • Casablanca is one of the key locations in the 2006 video game Dreamfall where the primary protagonist of the game, Zoë Castillo, lives.

Images

  • Logo casa.gif

    Logo of Casablanca

  • Casablanca 7.58684W 33.56662N.jpg

    Photo satellite

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ Casablanca - Encyclopedia of the Orient
  2. ↑ Discovering Casablanca - The Africa Travel Association
  3. ↑ Casablanca - Jewish Virtual Library
  4. ↑ Pennel, CR: Morocco from Empire to Independence, Oneworld, Oxford, 2003, p 121
  5. ↑ Ibid., p 149
  6. ↑ http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260317,00.html
  7. ↑ http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412144633223C139447
  8. ↑ Casablanca.ma
  9. ↑ Casablanca - Jewish Virtual Library

See also

  • History of Casablanca

External links

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Coordinates: 33°32′N 7°35′W


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