{{about|the city|the 1942 film|Casablanca (film)|other uses}}

|name = Casablanca

|image_skyline = Casablanca Collage.jpg

|image_flag = Flag of Casablanca province.svg

|subdivision_name1 = [[Grand Casablanca]]

|website = {{URL|http://www.casablanca.ma/}}

'''Casablanca''' (<small>[[Moroccan Arabic]] pronunciation:</small> {{IPA-ar|kɑzɑblɑnkɑ|}}, also {{lang|ary|الدار البيضاء<!--Moroccan Arabic is without hamza-->}} ''{{transl|ary|ed-Dar el-<!--just "i" in Moroccan, not "ai"-->Biḍa&nbsp;}}'' lit: "White house"), the largest [[city]] of [[Morocco]], is located in the western part of the country on the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It is also the largest city in the [[Maghreb]], as well as one of the largest and most important cities in [[Africa]], both economically and demographically.

Casablanca is Morocco's chief [[port]] and industrial center. The 2012 census, adjusted with recent numbers, recorded a population of about 4 million in the prefecture of Casablanca and about 5 million in the region of [[Grand Casablanca]]. Casablanca is considered the economic and business center of Morocco, while the national [[Capital (political)|political capital]] is [[Rabat]].

The leading Moroccan companies and international corporations doing business there have their headquarters and main industrial facilities in Casablanca. Recent industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historical position as the main industrial zone of the country. The [[Port of Casablanca]] is one of the largest artificial ports in the world,<ref name="EotO">{{cite web|url=http://lexicorient.com/e.o/casablan.htm |title=''Casablanca'' – ''Encyclopedia of the Orient'' |publisher=Lexicorient.com |date= |accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> and the largest port of [[North Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-ata.org/mc_casablanca.htm |title=''Discovering Casablanca'' |publisher=Africa-ata.org |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> It is also the primary [[naval base]] for the [[Royal Moroccan Navy]].

Anfa is generally considered the "original city" or "old city" of Casablanca; it is legally a prefecture (district) with half a million city inhabitants, and thus is part of the Grand Casablanca region.

{{Main|History of Casablanca}}

The area which is today Casablanca was founded and settled by [[Berber people|Berbers]] by at least the 7th century BC.<ref name=JVL>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Casablanca.html |title='&#39;Casablanca'&#39; |publisher=Jewishvirtuallibrary.org |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> It was used as a port by the Phoenicians and later the Romans.<ref name=lexic>{{cite web|author=Tore Kjeilen |url=http://www.lexicorient.com/e.o/casablanca.htm |title=Casablanca – LookLex Encyclopaedia |publisher=Lexicorient.com |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> In his book [[Description of Africa|''Wasf Afriquia'']], [[Al-Hassan al-Wazzan]] refers to ancient Casablanca as "[[Anfa]]", a great city founded in the Berber kingdom of [[Barghawata]] in 744 AD. He believed Casablanca was the most "prosperous city on the Atlantic coast because of its fertile land."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kennesaw.edu/historymuseum/creatingcommunity.shtml |title=Museum of History & Holocaust Education: Creating Community Collaboration |publisher=Kennesaw.edu |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> Barghawata rose as an independent state around this time, and continued until it was conquered by the [[Almoravid]]s in 1068.

[[File:Braun Anfa UBHD.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Casablanca in 1572, when it was still called ''Anfa'']]

Between 1580 and 1640 the Crown of Portugal and the Crown of Spain were [[Personal union|held by the same kings]] and therefore Casablanca and all other areas occupied by the Portuguese were under Spanish control, even though maintaining an autonomous Portuguese administration. As Portugal broke ties with the Spanish king in 1640, Casablanca came under fully Portuguese control once again.<ref name="Edition">{{cite book|author=The International City of Tangier, Second Edition|title=The International City of Tangier, Second Edition|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=VGqmAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA5|accessdate=22 April 2012|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-4351-8|page=5}}</ref> The Europeans eventually abandoned the area completely in 1755 following an [[1755 Lisbon Earthquake|earthquake]] which destroyed most of the town.<ref name="Aldosari">{{cite book|last=Aldosari|first=Ali|title=Middle East, western Asia, and northern Africa|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=j894miuOqc4C&pg=PA1254|accessdate=22 April 2012|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-7571-2|page=1254}}</ref>

In the 19th century, the area's population began to grow as it 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]]).<ref name="Srhir2005">{{cite book|last=Srhir|first=Khalid Ben|title=Britain And Morocco During The Embassy Of John Drummond Hay, 1845–1886|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=3Wf_Av7-hIoC&pg=PA126|accessdate=22 April 2012|date=19 April 2005|publisher=RoutledgeCurzon|isbn=978-0-7146-5432-4|page=126}}</ref> By the 1860s, there were around 5,000 residents, and the population grew to around 10,000 by the late 1880s.<ref>Pennel, CR: ''Morocco from Empire to Independence'', Oneworld, Oxford, 2003, p 121</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>Pennel, CR: ''Morocco from Empire to Independence'', Oneworld, Oxford, 2003, p 149.</ref> largely through the development of [[shanty town]]s.

[[File:Casa old.jpg|thumb|left|200|Casablanca in 1930]]

[[File:Casa didier55 019.jpg|thumb|200|Architecture of Casablanca, influenced by French styles]]

In June 1907, the French attempted to build a [[light railway]] near the port and passing through a graveyard. Residents attacked the French, 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 colonization, although French control of Casablanca was not formalised until 1910. Under the French rule, there were Muslim Anti Jewish riots at 1908.<ref name="Hirschberg1981">{{cite book|author=H. Z(J. W.) Hirschberg|title=A history of the Jews in North Africa: From the Ottoman conquests to the present time / edited by Eliezer Bashan and Robert Attal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=idEUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA319|year=1981|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-06295-5|page=318}}</ref>

The famous 1942 film ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' underlined the city's colonial status at the time—depicting it as the scene of a power struggle between competing European powers. The film has a cosmopolitan cast of characters (American, French, German, Italian, Czech, Norwegian, Austrian, Bulgarian, Russian and some other nationalities).

Europeans formed almost half the population.<ref>Albert Habib Hourani, Malise Ruthven (2002). "''[http://books.google.com/books?id=egbOb0mewz4C&pg=PA323&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false A history of the Arab peoples]''". Harvard University Press. p.323. ISBN 0-674-01017-5</ref> During the 1940s and 1950s, Casablanca was a major centre of anti-French rioting. A bomb attack on Christmas Day of 1953 caused many casualties.<ref>{{cite news |title=16 Dead in Casablanca Blast |author= |newspaper=New York Times |date=25 December 1953 |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30C12FF3E59177B93C7AB1789D95F478585F9&scp=3&sq=casablanca+bomb&st=p |accessdate=4 October 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Immeuble Liberté à Casablanca.jpg|thumb|right|Immeuble Liberté, the first Skyscraper in Africa, built in 1949]]

The [[Military history of the United States during World War II|Americans]] attacked at three different locations in French North Africa, one of the three being the [[Operation Torch#Casablanca|landings at Casablanca]] because of its important ports and the major administrative centers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Alexander|first=Bevin|title=How Hitler Could Have Won World War II|year=2000|publisher=Three Rivers Press|pages=167, 169}}</ref>

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 American air base, which was the staging area for all American aircraft for the [[European Theater of Operations]] during World War II.

In October 1930, Casablanca hosted a Grand Prix, held at the new [[Ain-Diab Circuit|Anfa Racecourse]].<ref name="Carter2011">{{cite book|last=Carter|first=Anthony|title=Motor Racing: The Pursuit of Victory 1930–1962|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=46NYxwOmnDUC&pg=PA72|accessdate=22 April 2012|date=1 October 2011|publisher=Veloce Publishing Ltd|isbn=978-1-84584-279-6|page=72}}</ref> In 1958, the race was held at [[Ain-Diab]] circuit ''(see [[Moroccan Grand Prix]])''. Morocco gained independence from France on 2 March 1956.<ref name="Watson2003">{{cite book|last=Watson|first=William E.|title=Tricolor and Crescent: France and the Islamic World|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=o4vrUbMK5eEC&pg=PA210|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2003|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-97470-1|page=210}}</ref> In 1983, Casablanca hosted the [[Mediterranean Games]].<ref name="Serbia)1992">{{cite book|author=Publicističko-izdavački zavod "Jugoslavija" (Belgrade, Serbia)|title=Yugoslav survey|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QTtpAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=1992|publisher=Jugoslavija Pub. House|page=135}}</ref> 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, more than 60 women's groups organized demonstrations in Casablanca proposing reforms to the legal status of women in the country.<ref name="ParkBoum2006">{{cite book|last1=Park|first1=Thomas Kerlin|last2=Boum|first2=Aomar|title=Historical Dictionary of Morocco|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8KiCl5-MxMMC&pg=PA256|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2006|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-5341-6|page=256}}</ref> Forty thousand women attended, calling for a ban on [[polygamy]] and the introduction of [[Talaq (Nikah)|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 [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|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.<ref name="MiliNewark2009">{{cite book|last=Mili|first=Amel|title=Exploring the Relation Between Gender Politics and Representative Government in the Maghreb: Analytical and Empirical Observations|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YM1RcocOxugC&pg=PA161|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2009|publisher=Rutgers The State University of New Jersey – Newark. Graduate School – Newark, ProQuest|isbn=978-1-109-20412-4|page=161}}</ref>

On 16 May 2003, 33 civilians were killed and more than 100 people were injured when Casablanca was hit by a [[2003 Casablanca bombings|multiple suicide bomb attack]] carried out by Moroccans and claimed by some to have been linked to [[al-Qaeda]]. 12 suicide bombers struck five locations in the city.<ref name="DakwarWatch2004">{{cite book|last1=Dakwar|first1=Jamil|last2=Goldstein|first2=Eric|title=Morocco: Human Rights at a Crossroads|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OT9bK03HEZkC&pg=PA25|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2004|publisher=Human Rights Watch|page=25|id=GGKEY:WTWR4502X87}}</ref>

A string of suicide bombings struck the city in early 2007. A suspected militant blew himself up at a Casablanca internet cafe on 11 March 2007.<ref name="McClellanDorn2006">{{cite book|last1=McClellan|first1=James Edward|last2=Dorn|first2=Harold|title=Science And Technology in World History: An Introduction|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YnqLfVRJ3AkC&pg=PP127|accessdate=22 April 2012|date=14 April 2006|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-8360-6|page=127}}</ref> On 10 April, three suicide bombers blew themselves up during a police raid of their safe house.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1260317,00.html |title=Terror Cell: 'Police Hold Fifth Man' |publisher=News.sky.com |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> Two days later, police set up barricades around the city and detained two more men who had escaped the raid.<ref>{{cite web|author=Independent Newspapers Online |url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412144633223C139447 |title=Casablanca on alert after suicide bombings |publisher=Iol.co.za |date=12 April 2007 |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> On 14 April, 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.

[[File:Cornichecasa.jpg|250px|thumb|The Corniche of Casablanca]]

[[File:Soleilcasa.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Sunset in Casablanca]]

Casablanca is located in the Chawiya plain which has historically been the breadbasket of Morocco.<ref name="PellowMorsy1983">{{cite book|last1=Pellow|first1=Thomas|last2=Morsy|first2=Magali|title=La relation de Thomas Pellow: une lecture du Maroc au 18e siècle|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mDpbAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=1983|publisher=Editions Recherche sur les Civilisations|isbn=978-2-86538-050-3|page=38}}</ref> Apart from the Atlantic coast, the Bouskoura forest is the only natural attraction in the city.<ref name="CohenEleb2002">{{cite book|last1=Cohen|first1=Jean-Louis|last2=Eleb|first2=Monique|title=Casablanca: colonial myths and architectural ventures|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CyLqAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2002|publisher=Monacelli Press|isbn=978-1-58093-087-1|page=313}}</ref> The forest was planted in the 20th century and consists mostly of [[Eucalyptus]], [[Arecaceae|Palm]] and [[Pine]] trees.<ref name="WordellSeiler2007">{{cite book|last1=Wordell|first1=Malcolm Taber|last2=Seiler|first2=Edwin Norton|last3=Ayling|first3=Keith|title="Wildcats" Over Casablanca: U.S. Navy Fighters in Operation Torch|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YNxtCc6d13kC&pg=PA53|accessdate=22 April 2012|date=10 July 2007|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc.|isbn=978-1-57488-722-8|page=53}}</ref> It is located halfway to the city's international airport.

The only watercourse in Casablanca is Oued Bouskoura,<ref name="Pierre2002">{{cite book|last=Pierre|first=Jean-Luc|title=Casablanca et la France: XIXe-XXe siècles : mémoires croisées|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UojVkyplkR0C&pg=PA23|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2002|publisher=Eddif|isbn=978-9981-09-086-6|page=23}}</ref> a small seasonal creek that until 1912 reached the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near the actual port. Most of Oued Bouskoura's bed has been covered due to urbanization and only the part south of [[El-Jadida]] road can now be seen. The closest permanent river to Casablanca is [[Oum Er-Rbia River]] {{convert|70|km|2|abbr=on}} to the south-east.

Casablanca has a very mild [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Csa''). Casablanca's climate is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Atlantic Ocean which tends to moderate temperature swings and produce a remarkably mild climate with little seasonal temperature variation and a lack of extreme heat and cold. Casablanca has an annual average of 74 days with significant precipitation, which amounts to 427 millimeters per year. The highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the city are {{convert|40.5|°C|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|-2.7|°C|0|abbr=on}}, respectively. The highest amount of rainfall recorded in a single day is 178 millimeters ( November 30, 2010)

|location = Casablanca

|url=http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/africa/mor_al/casablanca_e.htm

|title= Climatological Information for Casablanca, Morocco

[[File:CasablancaFAR.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Boulevard des FAR (Forces Armées Royales)]]

{{Main|Economy of Casablanca}}

[[File:Casablanca Twin Center.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Casablanca Twin Center]] (background) on the Mohamed Zerktouni Boulevard, the commercial and economic heart of Casablanca]]

[[File:Sofitel Tour Casablanca.jpg|thumb|right|]]

[[File:404 Abou Abdallah El Ayachi.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Casablanca Port]]

The [[Grand Casablanca]] region is considered the locomotive of the development of the [[Economy of Morocco|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 come from the Grand Casablanca. 30% of Moroccan banking network is concentrated in Casablanca.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casainvest.ma/casainvest/tabid/55/Default.aspx |title=Les bonnes raisons d’investir à Casablanca |publisher=Casainvest.ma |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

One of the most important Casablancan exports is phosphate. Other industries include fishing, fish canning, sawmills, furniture production, building materials, glass, textiles, electronics, leather work, processed food, spirits, soft drinks, and cigarettes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topbladi.com/villes/casablanca.htm |title=Casablanca , capitale economique du Maroc |publisher=Topbladi.com |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

The [[Port of Casablanca|Casablanca]] and [[Mohammedia]] seaports activity represent 50% of the international commercial flows of Morocco.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tore Kjeilen |url=http://looklex.com/e.o/casablanca.htm |title=Casablanca – LookLex Encyclopaedia |publisher=Looklex.com |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

Almost the entire Casablanca waterfront is under development, mainly the construction of huge entertainment centres between the port and Hassan II Mosque, the Anfa Resort project near the business, entertainment and living centre of Megarama, the shopping and entertainment complex of [[Morocco Mall]], as well as a complete renovation of the coastal walkway. The Sindbad park is planned to be totally renewed with rides, games and entertainment services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casainvest.ma/ |title=votre partenaire pour investir à Casablanca au Maroc |publisher=CasaInvest.ma |date= |accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref>

[[Royal Air Maroc]] has its head office at the [[Casablanca-Anfa Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalairmaroc.com/Marchand/Us/index.jsp?rub=1801&rubid=1803 |title=Non-airline partners |publisher=Royalairmaroc.com |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref> In 2004, it announced that it was moving its head office from Casablanca to a location in [[Province of Nouaceur]], close to [[Mohammed V International Airport]].<ref>"[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22062524_ITM Royal Air Maroc.(Africa/Middle East)(Brief Article)]{{dead link|date=August 2010}}." ''[[Air Transport World]]''. 1 July 2004. Retrieved on 19 October 2009.</ref> The agreement to build the head office in Nouaceur was signed in 2009.<ref>"[http://www.leconomiste.com/article.html?a=53387 Casablanca: Nouaceur abritera le futur siège de la RAM]." ''[[L'Économiste]]''. 18 August 2009. Retrieved on 19 October 2009.</ref>

The biggest CBD of Casablanca and [[Maghreb]] is in the North of the town in [[Sidi Maarouf]] near the mosque of Hassan II and the biggest project of skycrapers of Maghreb and Africa Casablanca Marina.

Casablanca is a commune, part of the Region of the [[Grand Casablanca]]. The commune is divided into 8 districts or prefectures, which are themselves divided into 16 subdivisions or arrondissements and 1 municipality. The 8 districts and their subdivisions are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.casablanca.ma/index/html/html/prefecture-casa.html |title=La Préfecture de Casablanca (in French) |publisher=Casablanca.ma |date= |accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref>

# '''[[Al Fida - Mers Sultan]]''' (الفداء – مرس السلطان) – [[Al Fida]] (الفداء); [[Mechouar, Casablanca|Mechouar]] (المشور) (municipality), [[Mers Sultan]] (مرس السلطان).

* [[Bourgogne, Casablanca|Bourgogne]]

* [[Californie, Casablanca|Californie]]

* [[Racine (Casablanca)|Racine]]

The population of Grand Casablanca was estimated in 2005 to be 3.85 million. 98% 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 [[Demographics of Morocco|population of Morocco]]. [[Grand Casablanca]] is also the largest [[urban area]] in the [[Maghreb]]. The number of inhabitants is however disputed by the locals, who point to a number between 5 and 6 million{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}, citing recent drought years as a reason for many people moving into the city to find work.

=== Judaism in Casablanca ===

There was a [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardic]] [[Judaism|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 synagogue in Casablanca. It was destroyed along with much of the town in the [[1755 Lisbon earthquake]].<ref name=JVL/> Today the [[Jewish cemetery of Casablanca]] is one of the major cemeteries of the city.

[[File:Casablanca DSC1053EC.jpg|250px|thumb|left|[[Hassan II Mosque]].]]

The French period Ville Nouvelle (New Town) of Casablanca was designed by the French architect [[Henri Prost]], and was a model of a [[planned community|new town]] at that time. The main streets radiate south and east from Place des Nations Unies, previously the main market of Anfa. Former administrative buildings and modern hotels populate the area. Their style is a combination of [[Hispanic-Moorish style|Hispano-Mauresque]] and [[Art Deco]].

Casablanca is home to the [[Hassan II Mosque]], designed by the French architect [[Michel Pinseau]]. It is situated on a [[promontory]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]. The mosque has room for 25,000 worshippers inside, and a further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its [[minaret]] is the world's tallest at 210 metres. The mosque is also the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/sights/religious-spiritual/hassan-ii-mosque |title=Hassan II Mosque in Morocco, Morocco |publisher=Lonely Planet |date=28 August 2010 |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

The Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) is the city's largest [[public park]]. On its edge is the [[Casablanca Cathedral]] (Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur). It is no longer in use for religious purposes, but it is open to visitors and a splendid example of ''[[Moorish Revival|Mauresque]]'' architecture. [[The Old Medina]] (the part of town pre-dating the French [[protectorate]]) attracts fewer tourists than the [[Medina quarter|medinas]] of cities like [[Fes, Morocco|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.

=== Casablanca Marina ===

Located on the seafront on 26 hectares, Casablanca Marina offers upscale residential products, office spaces which respect the international standards, shops and a convention Centre up to the national and international expectations for the organization and hosting congresses .

Casablanca Marina also embodies an ideal urban and environmental context, it has local services, parks and a professional team to manage the site. it aims to become an essential destination for recreational boaters seeking long stays, or just an unforgettable stopover on their way to West Africa, the Caribbean or the shores of North America.

The [[Casablanca Technopark]] is an [[information technology]] [[Business cluster]] complex located at Casablanca, and was inaugurated in October 2001.

[[File:Le Morocco Mall ouvre ses portes à Casablanca (6555301965).jpg|200px|thumb|[[Morocco Mall]] is the largest of its type in Africa]]

There are several shopping centers in Casablanca, of which the largest is [[Morocco Mall]]. It is the largest shopping center in Africa with {{convert|250000|m²|0|abbr=on}} of floor space in Casablanca. The mall, which opened on December 1, 2011, was designed by architect Davide Padoa of Design International, a global architecture boutique with its headquarters in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journaldunet.com/economie/actualite/depeche/afp/24/864782/le_plus_grand_centre_commercial_d_afrique_le_morocco_mall_ouvre_ses_portes.shtml |title=LLe plus grand centre commercial d'Afrique, le Morocco Mall ouvre ses portes |publisher=Le journal du net |date= |accessdate=2011-12-06}}</ref>

The mall features a massive 1,000,000 litre aquarium that contains over 40 different species of fish. The aquarium is called "Aquadream" and was designed and built by International Concept Management (ICM). Visitors have the opportunity to take a ride through the center of the cylinder shaped aquarium with a 360-degree view of the sea life. Visitors can also go scuba diving with a professional instructor inside the aquarium. Anfaplace Shopping Center is a shopping center located on the Corniche of Casablanca.

The [[Casablanca Twin Center]] is the new landmark of the business district of Casablanca. At over 100 meters in height, the twin towers dominate the skyline and the work environment are better co-ordinated and more dynamic which is, as evidenced by their design particularly studied in terms of technology, efficiency and comfort.

Casablanca staged the [[1961 Pan Arab Games]], the [[1983 Mediterranean Games]] and the [[1988 Africa Cup of Nations]]. It will also be a venue for the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations]].

[[File:Raja de Casablanca vs Mouloudia dOujda, November 02 2008-04.jpg|thumb|The [[Stade Mohamed V]] seats 52,000]]

*Complexe Al Amal de Casablanca

The [[Grand Stade de Casablanca]] is the proposed title of the planned football stadium to be built in the city. Once completed in 2014, it will be used mostly for football matches and will serve as the home of [[Raja Casablanca]], [[Wydad Casablanca]] and the [[Morocco national football team]]. The stadium was designed with a capacity of 80,000 spectators, making it one of the highest-capacity stadiums in Africa. Once completed, it will replace the [[Stade Mohamed V]]. The initial idea of the stadium was for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], for which Morocco lost their bid to [[South Africa]]. Nevertheless, the Moroccan government supported the decision to go ahead with the plans. It will be completed in 2014, ready for the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations]].

Casablanca is home to two popular football clubs, [[Raja Club Athletic]]<ref name="African concord">{{cite book|title=African Concord|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BUsuAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=1989|publisher=Concord Press of Nigeria|page=43}}</ref> and [[Wydad Athletic Club]].<ref name="West Africa">{{cite book|title=West Africa|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=V310AAAAMAAJ|accessdate=22 April 2012|year=2003|publisher=West Africa Publishing Company, Limited|page=38}}</ref> Raja's symbol is an eagle and Wydad's symbol is a goose. These two popular clubs have produced some of Morocco's best players such as: [[Salaheddine Bassir]], [[Abdelmajid Dolmy]], [[Baddou Zaki]], [[Aziz Bouderbala]] and [[Noureddine Naybet]]. There are other football teams on top of these two major teams that are based in the city of Casablanca are [[Rachad Bernoussi]], [[TAS de Casablanca]], [[Majd Al Madina]] and [[RAC Casablanca|Racing Casablanca]].

Casablanca hosts The [[Grand Prix Hassan II]], a professional male tennis tournament of the ATP tour. It first began in 1986. It is played on clay courts type at [[Complexe Al Amal]].

[[File:Tramwaycasa.jpg|thumb|[[Casablanca tramway]]]]

The Casablanca tramway is the rapid transit tram system in Casablanca in Morocco. The route is {{convert|31|km|0|abbr=on}} long, with 49 stops, and Y-shaped; further lines are planned in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/casablanca-tram-contracts-awarded.html|accessdate=17 November 2011|publisher=Railway Gazette|title=Casablanca tram contracts awarded}}</ref>

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 City]], [[Paris]], [[London]] and [[Dubai]] are important primary destinations.

The older, smaller [[Casablanca-Anfa Airport]] to the west of the city, that served certain destinations including [[Damascus]], and [[Tunis]], was largely closed to international civilian traffic in 2006. It currently services domestic flights and freight. [[Casablanca Tit Mellil Airport]] is located in the nearby community of [[Tit Mellil]].

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.

''See also: [[Al Bidaoui|Casablanca RER]] or [[Casablanca metro]]''

An [[Casablanca metro|underground railway system]] is currently being planned, 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, having a length of {{convert|10|km|2|abbr=off}} and costing 46.7 billion dirhams (approximately 5.8 billion USD).<ref>http://www.casablanca.ma/index/docs/deplacement_urbain_casa.pdf</ref> However, it should be noted that none of the preparatory works for this project have started.

[[File:Petitaxi.jpg|thumb|right|''Petit taxis'' in Casablanca]]

Registered [[Taxicab|taxis]] in Casablanca are coloured red and known as ''petit taxis'' (''small taxis''), or coloured white and known as ''grands taxis'' (''big taxis''). As is standard Moroccan practice, ''petits taxis,'' typically small-four door [[Dacia Logan]], [[Peugeot 207]] 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.

Casablanca is served by three principal railway stations run by the national rail service, the [[ONCF]].

[[File:CasablancaTrainStation.jpg|thumb|left|Rail station in Casablanca]]

Casa-Port serves primarily commuter trains operating on the Casablanca – [[Kenitra]] rail corridor, with some connecting trains running on to Gare de Casa-Voyageurs. The station provides a direct interchange between train and shipping services, and is located near to several port-area hotels. It is the nearest station to the old town of Casablanca, and to the modern city centre, around the landmark [[Casablanca Twin Center]]. Casa-Port station is being rebuilt in a modern and enlarged configuration. During the construction the station is still operational. From 2013 it will provide a close connection from the rail network to the city's new tram network.

The congestion problem did not end when the 31-kilometre Casablanca tramway line opened last December. It can only accommodate 250,000 passengers each day. The proposed metro, however, will be able to carry up to 400,000 passengers daily.

{{See also|Category:People from Casablanca}}

[[File:Casablanca, title.JPG|thumb|''Casablanca'', an American romantic drama film directed by [[Michael Curtiz]]]]

* Casablanca is the setting of the 1942 [[Casablanca (film)|film of the same name]] starring [[Humphrey Bogart]] and [[Ingrid Bergman]]. The film has achieved worldwide popularity since then. Nominated in eight categories, it won three Oscars.

* ''[[A Night in Casablanca]]'' (1946) was the twelfth [[Marx Brothers]]' movie. The film stars [[Groucho Marx]], [[Chico Marx]], and [[Harpo Marx]]. It was directed by [[Archie Mayo]] and written by [[Joseph Fields]] and Roland Kibbee. The film contains the song "[[Who's Sorry Now?]]", with music by [[Ted Snyder]] and lyrics by [[Bert Kalmar]] and [[Harry Ruby]]. It is sung in French by [[Lisette Verea]] playing the part of Beatrice Rheiner, and then later sung in English. [[Franz Liszt|Liszt]]'s "[[Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2]]" is played twice, once by Chico on piano as an intro to the "[[Beer Barrel Polka]]", and again by Harpo on the harp.

* Casablanca is the setting for several chapters in ''[[Doubleshot]]'', a 2000 [[James Bond]] novel by [[Raymond Benson]]. In the novel, one of the characters mentions that the 1942 film was shot in Hollywood and not on location.

* Casablanca is one of the key locations in the 2006 video game ''[[Dreamfall]]'', as it is where the primary protagonist of the game, [[Zoë Castillo]], lives. Although the city is imagined in the year 2219, much of the present day architecture is used for inspiration.

Casablanca is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chicago]], USA, since 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bladi.net/jumelage-casablanca-chicago.html |title=Jumelage Casablanca-Chicago |publisher=Bladi.net |date= |accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Shanghai]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] (1986)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://french.peopledaily.com.cn/french/200311/18/fra20031118_64015.html |title=Vers la concrétisation de l'accord de jumelage entre Shanghai et Casablanca |publisher=French.peopledaily.com.cn |date=18 November 2003|accessdate=17 April 2011}}</ref>

*[http://www.casablanca.ma/ Official web site of Casablanca]

*[http://www.visitcasablanca.ma/ Official Casablanca Tourism Website] {{fr icon}}

*[http://lexicorient.com/morocco/casablanca.htm Casablanca entry in Lexicorient]

*[http://www.casamemoire.org/index.php?id=29 Casablanca photo gallery (buildings and other landmarks with a history dating back to the French Protectorate)]

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[[Category:Populated places in Grand Casablanca]]