Casablanca
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city, a major Atlantic port, and a leading center of the country’s commerce and industry.
Atlantic coast of Morocco: Morocco’s western shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean, including major ports and coastal cities. Casablanca’s harbor and maritime trade developed on this exposed coastline.
Port of Casablanca: Morocco’s largest commercial port, handling imports, exports, and maritime freight. Its cargo operations connect the city’s industries to global trade.
French conquest of Morocco: The military and political process through which France established its protectorate over Morocco in 1912. French intervention preceded the colonial development that rapidly expanded Casablanca.
Hassan II Mosque: A large mosque in Casablanca completed in 1993, with a minaret overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its waterfront setting and scale make it one of the city’s defining landmarks.
Casablanca architecture: The city’s built environment, known for a mix of Moroccan, French colonial, Art Deco, and modern styles. Its buildings register the cultural and political layers that shaped Casablanca.
Anfa: A historic settlement on the site of modern Casablanca, later destroyed and rebuilt under different rulers. The city’s name and early history are tied to this predecessor settlement.
Casablanca tramway: A modern urban light-rail network serving Casablanca and nearby communities. The tramway carries passengers across a sprawling metropolitan area.
Casablanca bombardment: The French naval bombardment and occupation of Casablanca in August 1907. The attack marked a turning point in European intervention in the city.
Old Medina of Casablanca: The historic walled quarter near Casablanca’s port, with markets, mosques, and residential streets. It preserves the older urban fabric that predates much of the modern city.
Moroccan diaspora: Communities of Moroccan origin living outside Morocco, connected through family, culture, and migration. Migration links Casablanca’s social life and economy to communities abroad.