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Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

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By Macjava
September 17th 2006

Casablanca and Rabat

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

The Palace in Rabat

Today we toured Casablanca and then motored up the coast to Rabat which is the capitol of Morocco. Interesting country, very flat with interesting contrasts. Driving north to Rabat, the right side of the highway, lots of shacks and poverty. The left side of the road between the road and the coast very clean and affluent. Today being Sunday most everything is closed. It seems like every vacant field had a pickup soccer game going on. No grass anywhere but at least the fields were level. Our first stop was the Royal Palace at Rabat. Because the King was in residence, [View Full Entry]

The main entrance to the Palace in Rabat

By ShimmyE
August 17th 2006

A racist with a caffeine headache

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque

After a total of two months in Italy, I flew to Casablanca. As the plane was landing, I was little girl giddy, with quotes from the film scrolling through my head... "I don´t mind a parasite, I object to a cut-rate one" ...."I´m a drunkard, that makes me a citizen of the world".... and gin-joints and beautiful frienships and so on... Casablanca was obviously not destined to meet my elevated and Hollywood-driven expectations. As the guide books said, there is a reason why most travelers skip Casablanca, but I wanted to see for myself. After arriving, I was followed for about [View Full Entry]

By The Urban Backpacker
August 9th 2006

Lesson 1, never learn to drive in Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

On my third day in Morocco, we decided to visit Casablanca, known here only as Casa. Drivign into the city and its surrounding areas, I really began to feel and see the disparity between the wealthy and the poor. Although it exists in Rabat, it is much more noticeable in Casa because of its high population density and its title as Morocco's largest and busiest city. And busy is it ever. I have never ever seen anything like Casa. From an outside looking in, there is chaos absolutely everywhere. Cars, motorcycles (never,ever any helmets), bikes, horses, donkeys, people, everywhere. It is [View Full Entry]

By Crazy Canucks
July 29th 2006

A Billion or More?

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque

Took a 3hr train from Marrakesh, an uneventful train ride. Stayed in Hotel Astrid, described as a gem by LP but it was a dump and it was only for (1) night so no worries. Casa lived up to what other travellers had told us, a (1) night at most city. It is a typical big city with decrepit buildings and not much to see culturally. However, there is one reason to visit Casa and that is to see the grande Hassan II Mosque, built to commemorate the late King Hassan II 60th birthday. It is everything and more that you [View Full Entry]

By CA
July 8th 2006

Casablanca and the great Moroccan escape

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Route
We bussed up north from Safi then had a little trip to Rabat for Visas then to Casa on the train. Pink is the flight tomorrow to Bamako

Don't be fooled by the exotic name, this is not a city where Humphrey Bogart sits in a bar muttering "of all the gin joints in all the world......et cetera". I haven't seen the film and I even have a mental picture what Casablanca is about, smokey charm and men with strong jaw-lines. Casablanca is not about this. It is a sprawling, filthy, sweaty African city which is a product of that all to frequent mass rural to urban migration. It is a city that gives the distinct impression that five million people have moved here and about four and a [View Full Entry]

By Larluv
May 9th 2006

Coping in Casa

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Fishy Business
Guy buys fish at central market

I caught the morning train to Casa and found myself sitting among five Moroccans in a 2nd class cabin. Two heavy ladies seemed to be upset that I put their luggage up on the shelf to make room so I could sit while an elderly lady and a five-year old girl smiled. I took a few moments to play with the child using my camera as a showpiece. I then settled in for the 3.5 hour by listening to music while gazing at the Moroccan countryside whiz by. I knew that Casablanca would not be like the other Moroccan locations I [View Full Entry]

By Rach77
April 6th 2006

Tagine

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

anis and i

Arrived into Casablanca pretty tired after a nine hour flight. One of the other crew Anis (thats pronounced aneice) was from Morocco so was going back to his parents house and invited me to have lunch with them. I didn’t really want to intrude but he was insistent I come. I discovered that moroccans are very hospitable and are more than happy to welcome someone in their home. We got in a taxi and made our way to his family's house. They lived in an apartment block within walking distance to the sea. The apartment was pretty small for a family [View Full Entry]

By el Jefe
April 2nd 2006

Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque
First stop in Casablanca...stunning just doesn't sum it up...

Made it! Arrived in Casablanca at the tender hour of 7am, hard to believe I'm in Morocco/Africa... Spent only the one day here but managed to take in the beautiful Hassan II Mosque, wander around the medina and of course have lunch at Rick's Cafe... [View Full Entry]

By WorldVoyageur
December 18th 2005

Southbound solo for Tan Tan???

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Anaj Mat Cafe
Home away from Home!

I looked around the bus station, he was nowhere to be seen, I went off and got a coffee and thought if he's not here by the time I finish this then I'm going! Sure enough he turned up as I was finishing it. Unfortunately the hint to go our separate ways wasn't taken so we continued on ... On the most awful bus! Packed full with bad seats, a normality in Morocco BUT the worst was to come as we headed SE towards Marrakesh en route to Tan Tan, the rear door wasn't firmly shut so a billowing gale of [View Full Entry]

By WorldVoyageur
December 17th 2005

A day back in Casablanca

Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca » Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque
Casa's not got much to offer, another city but if you've got a day to spend, the mosque is definately worth seeing!

Finally the train hauled into Casablanca, I was overjoyed to be back, I'd be closer to my friends Fatiya & Abderrahim and their family. I rang Fatiya immediately and said I was in town and we could meet up in the morning, but in true Fatiya style she was having none of it and asked me to wait there whilst she'd drive over and pick me up. I told my travel companion and apologised for leaving him to his own devices but said that the Hassan II mosque & the medina near La Places des Nations Unis was worth visiting and [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Morocco » Grand Casablanca