Magic city Casablanca

Casablanca is often called the "United States of Morocco" as if a thousand years of history had been brushed aside to let through a modern city. With almost 4 million people, it is one of Africa's largest cities and only the small, walled Medina still hints at the legend that celluloid once thrust upon her. However, today the city is the commercial and industrial centre of Morocco and has limited appeal when compared with Marrakech and Fes as a holiday destination.

Casablanca was established as a town in 1906 with a population of 20 000. Later in 1907 when the French landed here, Fez was its commercial center whilst Tangier was set up as the city's main harbor. The French were soon ousted however and had to seek a new port altogether and Tangier remained Moroccan. Things have changed much since then however. With a population of over 3 million, Casablanca resembles a Southern European city. Today all duties are handled here except for administration.

The most important part of Casablanca's economy is phosphate export for which Casablanca is one of the main ports as well as an administrative centre. It is also the centre of the most intensive industrial activity in the country: a sizeable portion of the city's products is exported. Among Casablanca's own industries are fishing, fish canning, sawmilling, furniture making, building materials, glass, textiles, electronics, leather work, processed food, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and cigarettes. Casablanca is also the center for more than half of all bank transactions in Morocco.

Casablanca is also undergoing major regeneration with billions of dollars being poured into the region. A short flight from Europe, Casablanca is often the entrance into Morocco. The economic heart of the country, it offers a variety of investment in Casablanca property ranging from renovated traditional houses to beachfront villas and apartments.

If the Hollywood image of 'Casablanca' is important to you, prepare for a shock from Casablanca. The city is further away from Oriental romanticism than any other in Morocco, and Casablanca is a modern city – and beautiful in its own respect. In Casablanca one finds both the richest and most sophisticated groups of the Moroccan society, as well as the most desperate poverty of the country.

The centre of Casablanca is fairly impressive. It's brand modern, with big, lively boulevards, high, white, well-kept buildings. And it's clean and efficient. People visiting Casablanca as their first city, could easily end up hating this place: There are few things here confirming the newcomers conception on the Orient. But for people having visited other parts of Morocco first, Casablanca is good! The city is modern in a Moroccan way, and an excellent example of Moroccans capacity of taking charge of the future of their country.

Casablanca's landmark is the new mosque of Hassan II, the world's largest, which can be seen at great distance. Apart from this there are few landmarks in Casablanca.

No visit to Casablanca would be complete without a tour of the historic old quarter. Still largely enclosed by medieval walls, this is the real heart of the city, with its winding, cobbled streets, souks, quaint shops and little courtyards

Don‘t forget to visit Place Mohamed V.
This square is the heart of the city, and the main administrative area. Many of the buildings around the square are the best examples of French colonial architecture in the city (and the world), and most house the government and public offices. You will like New Medina.

This area of south Casablanca is a nice place to stroll, especially if you love architecture. Built in the 1930 to address the city's pressing housing problems, it was also the result of the French colonialist urge to blend traditional Moroccan architecture with modern urban planning, which produced this picturesque area.

And also La Corniche
This seaside promenade is the popular place for the fashionable crowd to hang out, with its restaurants, cafes, hotels, beaches and other attractions.

Author: Susan Milton

There are lots of interesting places to visit and explore