| Casablanca کازابلانکا • ad-Dār al-Bayḍā | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag  .svg/70px-Flag_of_Casablanca_province_(1976-1997).svg.png){kind=small} | ||
| State | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | North Atlantic coast of Morocco | |
| Inhabitants | 4 500 000 (2007) | |
| Prefix tel | 212 22 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 20000-20200 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Casablanca is the largest city in the North Atlantic coast of Morocco.
To know
Geographical notes
Casablanca is located in the Chaouia plain, an eminently agricultural region. Casablanca's position on the Atlantic coast has also allowed it to develop as an important fish market.
The only forest area left around Casablanca is that of Bouskoura, consisting mostly of palm trees, eucalyptus and pine trees planted in the mid-20th century.
When to go
Casablanca is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with a strong oceanic influence. Winters are mild and relatively humid while summers are moderately hot and without rainfall. The average annual temperature is 18.88 ° C and the average annual rainfall is 426.1 mm.
During the winter, there is almost no frost: the lowest temperature ever recorded in Casablanca was -2.7 ° C.
In summer, temperatures are generally pleasant when the wind blows from the ocean, less so if the sirocco blows from the hinterland which causes temperatures to rise a lot. The highest temperature ever recorded in Casablanca was 40.5 ° C.
Background
At the beginning of the 15th century, the port became a haunt of pirates who posed a serious threat to Portuguese ships that circumnavigated the coasts of Africa on their way to.India.
The Portuguese sent their warships to destroy the pirate posts. Nevertheless the attacks continued and the Portuguese were forced to intervene a second time in 1515 to take possession of the port and drive out the pirates for good. The port was renamed Branca House (White House).
The Portuguese fled the colony in 1755 after the devastating earthquake it destroyed Lisbon. Under the rule of the successors of Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, the city declined and had just 600 inhabitants in 1830. The revival took place in the mid-19th century when the fertile plains around Casablanca began to supply European markets with agricultural products. Spanish traders renamed the city Casablanca and at the beginning of the 20th century the French merchants secured several privileges. In 1907 France sent its warships to occupy the port under the pretext of quelling skirmishes between Muslim and Christian traders; the city was bombed and in 1912 it was declared part of the French protectorate. The architect Henri Prost designed a city with wide boulevards following the example of Paris. At the end of the Second World War, Casablanca had a population of 700,000 and was surrounded by slums.
How to orient yourself
Casablanca: full screen map.The center of Casablanca includes the medina and is bordered by the boulevard Zerktouni, a ring road overlooked by the twin towers designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill.
1 United Nations Square it is the heart of Casablanca. Arranged at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the main city avenues converge. It also constitutes access to the Medina of which very little remains having been destroyed by the earthquake of 1755 which had its epicenter in Lisbon. The walls still remain where more doors open. Among these the best known is that of Marrakech.
Neighborhoods
To the east of the central square is the colonial-era neighborhood that hinges on the park of the Arab League and on the square of the same name.
To the west of the Medina is the Bourgogne district with the Hassan II mosque. The promenade extends onto the Corniche with many beaches and clubs that attract night owls.
- 2 Habous (New Medina) - is the market district where you can buy everything. One of the Habous markets is dedicated exclusively to olives.
- 3 Sidi Maârouf - To the south, along the highway that leads to Mohammed V - Nouasser airport, is "Sidi Maârouf", the new business center of Casablanca that unfolds around the Technopark and occupies the old airport runway of Casa Anfa, no longer working.
The eastern periphery is home to industries and popular districts of which the best known is that of Sidi Moumen surrounded by numerous shanty towns.
Walls of the Medina
Mohammed V square with the Tribunal building in the background
Arab League Park
How to get
By plane
- 1 Casablanca International Airport. Casablanca International Airport bears the official name of Mohammed V and is 30 km from the center. As of 2009, flights from Italy were operated by the following companies:
- Trains run between the airport and Casa Voyageur central station. They are in operation from 6 in the morning to 10 in the evening and their frequency is one hour. It takes just over half an hour to get to the center. A second class ticket cost 35 MAD (in 2009).
On the train
- 2 Casablanca Voyageurs station. Casablanca has seven train stations. The main one is that of Voyageur house on the boulevard Mohammed V in the Belvedere district. Trains from the international airport also terminate here. The train takes about four hours to reach Fez, 6 hours for Tangier and 3 1/2 hours for Marrakech
- 3 Port house, Boulevard Moulay Abderrahmane. The closest station to the center is Casa Port, at the entrance to the port of Casablanca. There are fewer trains, mostly going to Rabat, Kenitra and other cities on the Atlantic coast.
- More details on the website of railways of Morocco.
By bus
With the buses of the Supratours managed byrailway body it is possible to reach centers not served by the train such as Agadir and an infinity of smaller locations. You can book up to one month in advance which means seats sell out soon.
- 4 CTM bus terminal. The group's bus terminus CTM it is located in the center, in via Leone l'Africano. Like Supratours, CTM offers an international bus service to the major urban centers of Spain is France.
How to get around
By public transport
Opened in 2012, the Casablanca tramway consists of a rapid transit tram system serving 48 stations.
What see
- 1 Hassan II Mosque (مسجد الحسن الثاني). Third largest mosque in the world after those of Mecca and Medina, the Hassan II mosque stands out on a promontory of the Atlantic coast. Its floor is partially in crystal so that the worshipers in genuflecting can see the underlying ocean waters. The construction of the Casablanca mosque is in fact inspired by a verse from the Koran which states that the throne of God rests on water. Up to 25,000 people can fit in the prayer hall. With its 210 m. the minaret of the mosque holds the record as the tallest in the world. Work on its construction began in 1986 and ended six years later.
- Friday Mosque (Chleuh), Chakab Arsalane (Medina).
- 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral (Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur).
- Rialto Cinema, Mohammed el-Qory (Close to the central market).
- Jewish Museum, 81, Rue Chasseur Jules Gros.
Events and parties
- Casablanca Festival. Festival organized by the city of Casablanca which includes concerts and film screenings in the open air or in the "Lynx" cinema.
What to do
Bathing and water sports can be practiced in one of the numerous beach clubs on the Casablanca seafront (Corniche) west of the center.
- Miami Plage (Aïn Diab). The best known of the bathing establishments on the Corniche of Casablanca.
- Tahiti. Another bathhouse
- Hammam Ziani, 59 Rue Abou Rakrak, ☎ 212 22 319695.
Shopping
How to have fun
Night clubs
The promenade west of the center, known as the Corniche, is home to Casablanca's best nightclubs. Aïn Diab, in particular, has a high concentration of locals. These are especially crowded on summer weekends while many close their doors in winter. Singles however may not feel comfortable in Casablanca clubs. Many are luxurious and popular with sophisticated groups and companies. To enter, a jacket and tie is required and uncompromising goalkeepers have the task of keeping away those who wear casual. Rare unaccompanied women and those few Europeans who dare to cross the threshold are subjected to the assaults of males. Among the most suitable places for singles "Le Village" (11, Boulevard de la Corniche - Aïn Diab) which is reputed to be gay friendly .
- The VIP Clubs, Rue des Dunes (Aïn Diab), ☎ 212 22 798 989. On a hill in a panoramic position overlooking the ocean, VIP Club offers belly dancing and cabaret shows until 4 am.
- The angel @ House, Hotel Azur, 41 Boulevard de la Corniche, Aïn Diab, ☎ 212 22 797 493. More informal atmosphere in this night with dances that also take place on the tables against the background of techno beats music
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
The recent history of the city is marked by a series of attacks, the most serious of which occurred on May 16, 2003.
In 2007 there were still more suicide attacks but they did not cause casualties among civilians. In particular, that of 11 March 2007 targeted an internet café. A month later, 3 more explosions were reported in the Hay Farah neighborhood.
Crime is widespread in Casablanca; with muggings, robberies, assaults, also increasing due to the criminal phenomenon tcharmil. Absolutely avoid peripheral and degraded neighborhoods, isolated areas such as beaches, woods and do not bring valuables with you. Possibly go around in a group and not alone during the day, and do not go out after sunset for a walk around the neighborhoods.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Ain Diab - Close to Casablanca, with many night clubs that do not serve alcohol
- Bouznika - A 5 km long beach among the most beautiful in the Morocco. It is the favorite beach of the upper middle class of Casablanca and Rabat. It is 55 km from the first and 33 km from the second. It can be reached both by train and by bus.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Casablanca
Commons contains images or other files on Casablanca
