Casablanca

Casablanca, city in western Morocco, largest city and chief seaport of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean near Rabat. Casablanca is one of the leading commercial cities of North Africa. It has railways, trunk roads, and an international airport, and has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world: most of the foreign trade of Morocco passes through the city. Cereals, leather, wool, and phosphates are the chief exports. Casablanca also is the country's chief industrial centre. The leading industries are fishing, fish canning, and sawmilling, and the manufacture of furniture, building materials, glass, and cigarettes. Hassan II University (1976) and the Great Mosque Hassan II are here.

In medieval times Casablanca was a prosperous town known as Anfa. It was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1468 and rebuilt by them in 1515. In 1755 it was again rebuilt, following a severe earthquake. In 1907 Casablanca was occupied by the French, under whose administration it grew rapidly, and a modern city grew up around the old Moorish town.

During World War II Casablanca was one of the three key landing places for the invasion of North Africa by Allied forces. The city was the site of the Casablanca Conference (January 1943) between United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, at which both leaders pledged that their countries would fight until the Axis powers surrendered unconditionally.

The withdrawal of the French in 1956 after Morocco became independent caused Casablanca severe economic hardship. A thriving tourist trade and increased industry subsequently restored its prosperity. Population 2,933,684 (2004).