Casablanca Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
- For the 1942 film, see Casablanca (movie).
- For the famous Cuban chess player, see José Raúl Capablanca.
Casablanca was founded as Casa Branca in 1575 by the Portuguese, who had destroyed the town of Anfa located at the same site in 1515. The Portuguese eventually abandoned the site in 1755 after increasing attacks from surrounding Muslim tribes. In the 19th century the area's population began to grow considerably as shipping traffic increased. Casablanca was an important strategic port during World War II and hosted the Anglo-American Summit in 1943.
Since then Casablanca has focused on a tourism industry, though recent terrorist attacks have hampered tourism efforts.
The city is served by Mohammed V International Airport and its port is one of the largest artificial ports in the world.
Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, the largest in the world. Its minaret is also the world's tallest at 210 meters. It was built for former Moroccan King Hassan II's 60th birthday and was finished in 1993.
