Casablanca, A-dar l-bayda’ in Arabic, is located in western Morocco and it is its biggest city; with a population exceding 3 million people.
Thanks to its strategic location the port of Casablanca is considered the main port of Morocco, and it is the largest port in Africa, as well as the largest artificial port in the world.
The name “casa blanca” comes from Portugese, meaning “the white house.”
The Portugese influence is here because in the 15th century, Portugal conquered the city and put an end to the pirates that used the port as a base to attack Portugese ships.
Spain and Portugal eventually abandonned the town after a great earthquake destroyed it in 1755. The city was then rebuilt and kept its name, “the white house.”
A walk around Casablanca has a rich contrast between the exotic Old Town and the Art Deco design of the New Town with its
elegant, lavish and ultra modern style.
In fact, Casablanca has an almost entirely Art Deco town called New Town and is thelargest collection of Art Deco architecture in Morocco.
In the midst of its hussle and noise, Casablanca has kept its charm, the combination of oriental Mauresque style and Art Deco architecture. Don’t miss the chance to visit this charming port, rich in influences, history, and beath-taking architecture!
