Difference between revisions of "Casablanca" - New World Encyclopedia
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== History == | == History == | ||
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===Before the French Protectorate=== | ===Before the French Protectorate=== | ||
| − | The area which is today Casablanca was settled by [[Berber | + | The area which is today Casablanca was settled by [[Berber]]s by at least the 7th century.<ref name=JVL> ''Jewish Virtual Library''. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Casablanca.html Casablanca] Retrieved June 9, 2008. </ref> A small independent kingdom arose in the area then named [[Anfa]] in response to [[Arab]] [[Muslim]] rule, and continued until it was conquered by the [[Almoravid]]s in 1068. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | During the 14th century, while under the [[Merinid]]s, 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 harbor for [[pirate]]s and privateers, leading to it being targeted by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], who destroyed the town in 1468. | |
| − | Between 1580 | + | 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 and 1640, the city was under [[Spain|Spanish]] rule, to be later transferred back to Portugal, who eventually abandoned the area completely in 1755 following near complete destruction by an [[earthquake]]. |
| − | The town was finally reconstructed by [[sultan]] [[Mohammed ben Abdallah]] (1756-1790), the grandson of [[Moulay Ismail]] and ally of George Washington. The town was called '''Dar el Beida''' (white house) in Arabic and '''Casa Blanca''' in Spanish. | + | The town was finally reconstructed by [[sultan]] [[Mohammed ben Abdallah]] (1756-1790), the grandson of [[Moulay Ismail]] and ally of [[George Washington]]. The town was called '''Dar el Beida''' (white house) in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and '''Casa Blanca''' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. |
| − | In the 19th century, the area's population | + | In the 19th century, the area's population grew as Casablanca became a major supplier of [[wool]] to the booming [[textile]] industry in [[United Kingdom|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, with the population increasing to approximately 10,000 by the late 1880s. <ref name=Pen> C. R. Pennell. 2003. ''Morocco: from empire to independence.'' Oxford: Oneworld. </ref> 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 colonial empires|French colonialists]] in the town, at first administrators within a sovereign sultanate, in 1906. By 1921, this was to rise to 110,000, <ref name=Pen/> largely through the development of ''[[shanty town|bidonvilles]]''. |
===French rule=== | ===French rule=== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Image:Boulevard de Paris, Casablanca.jpg|thumb|250px|A view on the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca]] | [[Image:Boulevard de Paris, Casablanca.jpg|thumb|250px|A view on the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca]] | ||
[[Image:Casablanca1950s.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Boulevard Mohamed el Hansali in 1950s]] | [[Image:Casablanca1950s.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Boulevard Mohamed el Hansali in 1950s]] | ||
| − | In June 1907, the French attempted to build a [[light railway]] near the port | + | In June 1907, the French attempted to build a [[light railway]] near the port, 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 colonialization, although French control of Casablanca was not formalized until 1910. During the 1940s and 1950s, Casablanca was a major center of anti-French rioting. |
| + | |||
| + | ===The Casablanca Conference=== | ||
| + | Casablanca was an important strategic port during [[World War II]] and hosted the [[Casablanca Conference (1943)|Casablanca Conference]] in 1943, in which [[Winston Churchill|Churchill]] and [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] discussed the progress of the war. Casablanca was the site of a large [[United States|American]] air base, which was the staging area for all American aircraft for the [[European Theater of Operations]] during [[World War II]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | [[image:Casablanca-Conference.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American president [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] ]] | ||
| + | [[Image:Degaulle-freefrench.png|thumb|right|200px|Free French leaders [[Henri Giraud]] and [[Charles de Gaulle]] in front of Roosevelt and Churchill at the Casablanca Conference, [[January 14]], [[1943]]]] | ||
| + | The '''Casablanca Conference''' (codenamed SYMBOL) was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, then a French [[protectorate]], from [[January 14]] to [[January 24|24]], [[1943]], to plan the [[European Theatre of World War II|European strategy]] of the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] during [[World War II]]. Present were [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and [[Winston Churchill]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] leader [[Joseph Stalin]] had also been invited but declined to attend. General [[Charles de Gaulle]] had initially refused to come but changed his mind when Churchill threatened to recognize [[Henri Giraud]] as head of the [[Free French Forces]] in his place. Giraud was also present at Casablanca, and there was notable tension between the two men during the talks. | |
| − | + | The "Casablanca Declaration" was made at the conference and called for the Allies to seek the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers. It also called for Allied aid to the Soviet Union in the invasion of [[Sicily]] and [[Italy]], and the recognition of joint leadership of the Free French by de Gaulle and Giraud. All the terms were agreed upon. Roosevelt presented the results of the conference to the American people in a radio address on [[February 12]], [[1943]]. The Casablanca Conference was followed by the [[Cairo Conference]], the [[Tehran Conference]], the [[Yalta Conference]] and the [[Potsdam Conference]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | Also decided during the Casablanca Conference was that there would be no 'across channel invasion.' Instead of invading Europe across the English Channel, an [[Operation_Husky|invasion into Sicily]] and then Italy would take place. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
===Since independence=== | ===Since independence=== | ||
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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.<ref>[http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260317,00.html Terror Cell: 'Police Hold Fifth Man'] April 12, 2007</ref> [[April 12|Two days later]], police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid.<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412144633223C139447 Casablanca on alert after suicide bombings] April 12 2007</ref> 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. Only one person was injured aside from the bombers, but the Consulate was closed for more than a month. <ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3044022 U.S. Shuts Morocco Consulate After Bomb] April 15, 2007</ref> | 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.<ref>[http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260317,00.html Terror Cell: 'Police Hold Fifth Man'] April 12, 2007</ref> [[April 12|Two days later]], police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid.<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412144633223C139447 Casablanca on alert after suicide bombings] April 12 2007</ref> 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. Only one person was injured aside from the bombers, but the Consulate was closed for more than a month. <ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3044022 U.S. Shuts Morocco Consulate After Bomb] April 15, 2007</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:Casablanca SPOT 1208.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Casablanca seen from Spot Satellite]] | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
Revision as of 19:47, 9 June 2008
| Casablanca Anfa / الدار البيضاء Dar-el-Baida |
|
| Casablanca city center | |
  Casablanca |
|
| Coordinates: 33°32′N 7°35′W | |
|---|---|
| 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 "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. It is the capital of the Greater Casablanca region.
With a population of 3.1 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. 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 arose in the area then named Anfa in response to Arab Muslim rule, and continued until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068.
During the 14th century, while 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 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 "Casabranca", meaning "White House" in Portuguese. Between 1580 and 1640, the city was under Spanish rule, to be later transferred back to Portugal, who eventually abandoned the area completely in 1755 following near complete destruction by an earthquake.
The town was finally reconstructed by sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah (1756-1790), the grandson 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 grew 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, with the population increasing to approximately 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, [4] largely through the development of bidonvilles.
French rule
In June 1907, the French attempted to build a light railway near the port, 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 colonialization, although French control of Casablanca was not formalized until 1910. During the 1940s and 1950s, Casablanca was a major center of anti-French rioting.
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.
The Casablanca Conference (codenamed SYMBOL) was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, then a French protectorate, from January 14 to 24, 1943, to plan the European strategy of the Allies during World War II. Present were Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had also been invited but declined to attend. General Charles de Gaulle had initially refused to come but changed his mind when Churchill threatened to recognize Henri Giraud as head of the Free French Forces in his place. Giraud was also present at Casablanca, and there was notable tension between the two men during the talks.
The "Casablanca Declaration" was made at the conference and called for the Allies to seek the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers. It also called for Allied aid to the Soviet Union in the invasion of Sicily and Italy, and the recognition of joint leadership of the Free French by de Gaulle and Giraud. All the terms were agreed upon. Roosevelt presented the results of the conference to the American people in a radio address on February 12, 1943. The Casablanca Conference was followed by the Cairo Conference, the Tehran Conference, the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference.
Also decided during the Casablanca Conference was that there would be no 'across channel invasion.' Instead of invading Europe across the English Channel, an invasion into Sicily and then Italy would take place.
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. 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 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 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.[5] Two days later, police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid.[6] 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. Only one person was injured aside from the bombers, but the Consulate was closed for more than a month. [7]
Economy
The Greater Casablanca region is considered the locomotive of the development of the Moroccan economy. It attracts 32% of the country’s production units and 56% of industrial labor. 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.
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. Greater Casablanca is also the largest urban area in the Maghreb.[8] 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. {{#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 the Rabbi Elijah Synagogue was built as the first Jewish temple in Casablanca. It was destroyed along with much of the town in the earthquake of 1755.[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. 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 Communautés Israélites 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
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
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. 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. On its edge is situated the Cathedrale du Sacré Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque architecture.
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
Air
Casablanca's main airport is Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco's busiest airport. Regular domestic flights serve Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, Oujda, and Tangier, Laayoune 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.
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 ,Taza 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 de Casa-Voyageurs. www.oncf.ma
Casablanca in fiction
Casablanca was the setting of a 1942 film starring Humphrey Bogart (as Rick) and Ingrid Bergman as (Ilsa). Set in the Vichy-controlled city during World War II, its focus was on Rick's conflict between, in the words of one character, love and virtue: he must choose between his love for Ilsa and doing the right thing, helping her and her Resistance leader husband escape from Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.
The film won three Oscars in 1943, including the Academy Award for Best Picture, and was nominated in five additional categories. The characters, quotations, and music have become iconic, and the film has grown in popularity as time has gone by. It now consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of all time, and has made Casablanca a household word.
Notes
- ↑ Casablanca - Encyclopedia of the Orient
- ↑ Discovering Casablanca - The Africa Travel Association
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jewish Virtual Library. Casablanca Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 C. R. Pennell. 2003. Morocco: from empire to independence. Oxford: Oneworld.
- ↑ Terror Cell: 'Police Hold Fifth Man' April 12, 2007
- ↑ Casablanca on alert after suicide bombings April 12 2007
- ↑ U.S. Shuts Morocco Consulate After Bomb April 15, 2007
- ↑ Casablanca.ma
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Atkinson, Rick. 2002. An army at dawn the war in North Africa, 1942-1943. New York: Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 9780805062885
- Cahill, Marie. 1991. Casablanca. Hollywood classics. New York, N.Y.: Smithmark. ISBN 9780831745745
- Koch, Howard, and Julius J. Epstein. 1973. Casablanca; script and legend. Woodstock, N.Y.: Overlook Press. ISBN 0879510064 and ISBN 9780879510060
- Lukas, Scott A. 2007. The themed space: locating culture, nation, and self. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. ISBN 0739121421 (Bahiyyih Maroon, “Leisure Space: Thematic Style and Cultural Exclusion in Casablanca,” pp. 137-151)
- Porch, Douglas. 1983. The conquest of Morocco. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0394511581 and ISBN 9780394511580
External Links
- Tore Kjeilen. Casablanca Time did go by. Lexicorient. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
- Morocco Travel. Tourist map. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
- Magic Morocco. Casablanca Morocco. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
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