CASABLANCA

 
Casablanca was built on a prehistoric site called “Anfa” with extending constructions dating back to thousands of years ago. In 1955, a fragment of human mandible dating back to 2 million years ago was discovered in a mine near “Imam Sidi Abderrahmane” mausoleum overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, which paved the way for further discoveries of vestiges and prehistoric sites. Over many ages, historians were particularly impressed by the city richness and beauty, such as the Spanish traveller Luis del Marmoi Carvajal who stated in his book Africa, “… among all North African cities, Anfa is located in an ideal area surrounded by sea in one side and fertile land in another…”.
Under the reign of the Alawit Sultan “Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah”, the City development was initiated endowing it with a great mosque and Zawias which granted it the name of “Dar El Beida” (White House). Its current name “Casablanca” became famous only in 1781 following the establishment of Spanish counters and massive advent of European traders. Casablanca port has particularly played a crucial role in the fate of the City turning it to the greatest industrial, metropolitan and economic center of the Country. Casablanca also benefits from an exceptional cultural and architectural heritage concretized by its various architectural sites, inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 2013.