Casablanca
Casablanca is the largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco, and the third largest in Africa, after both Lagos and Cairo in terms of population; with a 3,359,818 people in 2014. It is the economic capital of Morocco and its commercial and industrial center. The city includes 60% of Morocco's companies and factories, which vary in its activities between the automotive, aircraft, and electronic industries. The city stock exchange is ranked third after the Johannesburg and Cairo ones.
Casablanca was known as Anfa in the past. But, after the Portuguese who called it "Casa Branca" in reference to a white house which they found it when they came in the sixteenth century AD, then the Spanish called it "Casa Blanca", and the Moroccans used the name "Casa" Only. As for the name Casablanca, it was used during the reign of Al-Alawi Sidi Mohamed bin Abdullah.
Casablanca Geography
Location:
Casablanca has a very distinctive strategic location, as it overlooks the coast of the Atlantic Ocean from the western side of Morocco, which makes it the global gateway to the country. It is in the middle of the Moroccan industrial production line, which runs from Kenitra in the north to the Yellow Cliff ´Jorf Lesfar´ in the south. Casablanca is 95 km from the Moroccan capital, Rabat, and extends from the coast of the Atlantic to the Moroccan territory for a distance of 60 km.
Climate:
The city of Casablanca is characterized by a moderate climate that tends to warm, due to its occurrence on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. Where the average annual temperature is 17.7 ° C, while the average annual rainfall is 412 mm. The summer of Casablanca is described as heat and drought, where temperatures are the most intense In August, the average is 23.3 ° C. As for the winter season, it is described as moderate, with average temperatures in January 12.4 ° C, which is the coldest month of the year, while winter witnesses a good rainfall.
Casablanca History
Casablanca is considered an ancient Berber village, and it was called Anfa, but its origin is still not fully known until now. The city emerged as a major center in the 12th century AD when pirates used it to launch attacks, but the Portuguese destroyed it in 1468 AD, before returning to it in 1515 AD, where they built a new city and named it "Casa Branca" which means the White House. In 1755 AD, the city was rocked by an earthquake, which led to the evacuation of its residents, but soon the Sultan Sidi Muhammad bin Abdullah quickly rebuilt it in the 18th century AD, when the Spanish and other Europeans arrived, so the most of its inhabitants became French in particular.
In 1907, the French occupied the city, and the city was placed under French protectorate between 1912-1956 AD. During that period, the city became the main port of Morocco, which contributed greatly to the development & the prosperity of the city, which result a rapid growth, as well as this contributed to putting it on the global map as an important and main center not immune to global events. During the Second World War, the city hosted the British-American summit in 1943 AD, and in 1961 the city hosted a conference led by the Moroccan King Mohammed V, on the basis of which the Casablanca Group of African Countries was founded.
Casablanca Landmarks
Casablanca contains a very large number of historical monuments dating back to different eras, and carries with it a deep history that has passed through the city. Among the most prominent of these are:
The Church of the Sacred Heart:
It is also called the Cathedral of Casablanca, This church was established in 1930 AD by the French, with the design of the French architect Paul Tournan, but it ceased to function as a place of worship in 1956 AD. It is used today as a cultural center, also its a tourist attraction that attracts visitors.
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