Casablanca Financial City (CFC)

Casablanca is the largest city and economic hub of Morocco, and it is also home to the country's financial sector. Known as the "economic capital" of the country, Casablanca is home to the Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE), the largest stock exchange in Africa by market capitalization.

Here is a video that shows the Main building in Casablanca FInancial city as it was getting built from scratch:

The Casablanca financial city (CFC) is a new development that aims to create a new financial district in the city, with the goal of attracting foreign investment and positioning Casablanca as a major financial center in Africa and the Middle East. The CFC will include a mix of office buildings, residential properties, and hotels. It will also feature a variety of amenities such as parks, museums, and cultural centers.

The development will also include the construction of new transportation infrastructure, including a tramway and a high-speed train station, as well as the expansion of the city's port and airport. This will improve the accessibility and connectivity of the financial district, making it more attractive to businesses and investors.

Another tour:

The Casablanca financial city is expected to create over 100,000 jobs and generate significant economic growth in the region. The project aims to transform the city into a leading financial center in Africa and the Middle East, and to attract foreign investment and create new business opportunities. The development of CFC is expected to attract many international banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, which will help to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on tourism and agriculture.

In conclusion, the Casablanca Financial City (CFC) is a new development that aims to create a new financial district in the city, with the goal of attracting foreign investment and positioning Casablanca as a major financial center in Africa and the Middle East. The development includes a mix of office buildings, residential properties, and hotels, as well as infrastructure improvements and amenities that will make it an attractive destination for businesses and investors. The CFC is expected to create over 100,000 jobs and generate significant economic growth in the region, positioning Casablanca as a leading financial center in Africa and the Middle East.

How it looks by night:

Read More

Casablanca

Casablanca

Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ, or كازابلانكا, The literal translation to English would be: "the white house". original name in Berber: ⴰⵏⴼⴰ pronounced: Anfa) is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Casablanca-Settat region. Also the economical capital of Morocco (the political Administrative capital is Rabat)

It is the Largest city in the Maghreb region, and One of the largest financial centers in the African continent, 8th largest city in the Arab-world.

According to the official sources, the population is estimated at about 3.35 Million in the urban area and about 4.27 million in the whole greater Casablanca including rural areas. But it could be probably more.

You make take a tour inside Casablanca in this youtube video below in UHD 4k quality

And here is the Extended Version Raw Unedited and without music, so you could have an authentic experience as if you were really walking in the streets of Casablanca:

 

Since the Med 5 Airport is the biggest one in Morocco, and the Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world (second largest port of North Africa, after Tanger-Med).. It allowed Casablanca to be the destination of many world companies and businesses. Many international corporations doing business in Morocco or in Africa have their headquarters and main industrial facilities in Casablanca.

Twin center

The City is not known for being a touristic destination in general but it does have some interesting touristic attractions. What most tourists and visitors go to in Casablanca are the major places of warship: the Hassan 2 mosque, and the Catholic church (church of the sacred heart).. Some also visit the Rex Cafe, because its theme is based on the famous movie "Casablanca" that was made in the 50s.

Other than that visitors can take a look at the largest shopping center in Africa "Morocco mall" or go downtown to see Casablanca Twin center and other modern buildings. The old medina is not very special that is why many tourist group skip it especially if they are planning to visit another one in one of the four imperial cities of the country (Rabat, Fes, Meknes, Marrakech)

But Since most flights to Morocco from around the world land in Casablanca's airport then it doesn't hurt taking a look at the other side of the country. Especially if you have never been here and only saw Morocco in Hollywood movies, where they usually portray it as desert; wide empty spaces, and rural areas.. Which is true, those landscapes are also part of the general picture of Morocco and we are very proud of every bit of it, but still, sometimes they need to show the other side of the place, and of Africa in general.

Casablanca also go very deep in history, from the seventh century BC when it was founded and settled by berbers (Amazighs), to the Portuguese conquest and Spanish influence, to the French Colonial struggle and world war II, and then to the independence in 1956.

Hassan II Mosque

When it comes to Climate, Casablanca has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The cool Canary Current off the Atlantic coast moderates temperature variation, which results in a climate remarkably similar to that of coastal Los Angeles, with similar temperature ranges. The city has an annual average of 72 days with significant precipitation, which amounts to 412 mm (16.2 in) per year. The highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the city are 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) and −2.7 °C (27.1 °F), respectively.

Tramway Casablanca

Read More

Morocco Mall - Casablanca

Morocco Mall - Casablanca

Largest shopping center in Africa

Located in Casablanca on the Atlantic coast just few meters from Courniche Ain diab, on 200000m² of floor space. Morocco Mall is the largest shopping center in Africa up to the making of this article and video.

You may take a tour inside and outside Morocco Mall in this video below

And here's an extended version, with no music and with a mermaid:

The Mall opened its gates for the public in 2011, and since then it was an image of the Modern side of Morocco, just like the rest of the economical capital "Casablanca"..
The ceremony of opening was celebrated by a huge party where Jennifer Lopez was a host, yes the famous Jay-Lo sung in Morocco for the opening.
What makes this shopping center even more cool is its location, right on the Atlantic coast, so you could actually enjoy food or just a cup of coffee on the 2nd floor along with an amazing view on the waves of the ocean.
Morocco mall features a huge 1,000,000 Leters (220,000 imp gal; 260,000 U.S. gal) aquarium that contains over 40 different species of fish. "Aquadream" is the name of the aquarium, and it was designed and built by International Concept Management. Visitors have the opportunity to take a ride through the centre of the cylinder shaped aquarium with a 360-degree view of the sea life. Visitors can also go scuba diving with a professional instructor inside the aquarium and be as close as possible to the sharks and other sea animals.
The entrance to Morocco Mall is free, but the prices of some products can be reall y crazy expensive, after all it is not the place where the average locals go to shop, it's a luxury place where inhabitant of the Big Casablanca and the surrounding regions go to to spend the day and have a fancy meal or drinks.
There is also an amazing playground area for both kids and teenagers, from car rides, to videogames to rock-climbing.. the choices are really diverse in there. Even adults can do some activities there like ice skating.
When it comes to food, you will find there most of the known brands, like MacDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Dominos Pizza.. and so on, but there are also some Morocco Mall specialties, providing traditional Morocccan food.
There is of course an underground parking lot for your car, if you don't have a car, there are taxis that could easily take you there or from there to the medina (for the big taxis that take 6 people you should know exactly where you are going because they don't offer custumized trips unless you pay really a lot of money) Also for the small red taxis, ask for the price before hand.
So generally if you want to get a taste of the modern side of Morocco, or if you are passing by Casablanca, you can check the mall out, you will not regret it.. It does not feel like the real Morocco but it is part of it.. It will for sure make you change the image you have about the African continent.

Read More

Mosque Hassan II - Casablanca

Mosque Hassan II - Casablanca

Up to the making of this Article and video, The Casablanca big mosque is the Largest in Africa, 7th largest in the world, with a #minaret of 210 metres (689 ft) that is the second tallest in the world.

Here is a high quality video on our Youtube channel:

The minaret is 60 stories high with a laser at the top of it, its light is directed towards the Qibla which is simply in Mecca KSA. It can host up to 25,000 worshippers inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 or more on the mosque's outside ground. Half of it in built on the sea, the other half is built on the ground, it has a great view on the Atlantic ocean and also on the corniche of ain diab and the Modern side of the city. The walls are of hand-crafted marble and the roof is retractable. The mosque is located between the harbor and the El Hank lighthouse. Apart from the mosque, other structures in the area are a madrasa (Islamic school), hammams (bathhouses), a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and a very large library said to be the "most comprehensive in the Islamic world." Other than all that Hassan 2 mosque has 41 fountains, gardens around it where families come for picnics from all over Casablanca's neighborhoods. The constructions of Hassan 2 mosque started officially in 1986, and lasted till 1993. and most of Moroccan people contributed to its financing by making donations.. It was the last king of Morocco's idea to built a big mosque that would be one of the largests in the world. in 1980 he said "I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time ... I want to build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky and ocean." he building blends Islamic architecture and Moroccan elements, and reflects Moorish influences, while featuring an urban design.[12] It displays elements found in other Moroccan buildings such as the unfinished mosque in Rabat and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh. There are features from an old Roman fort converted into the tomb of King Mohammed V of Rabat. Other elements come from the Tour Hassan Mosque, the Dome of the Rock (also known as Qubbat al Sakhra 688–692 AD), the Great Mosque of Madina (705–710 AD), Kairouan Mosque in Tunisia (663 AD), the Great Mosque of Damascus (705–715 AD), the Great Mosque of Cordoba (785–786 AD), Quarawiyyin Mosque (956 and 1135 AD) in Morocco, the Great Mosque of Tlemcen (1136), and Djamaa el Kebir (1096). Its layout is known as the basilican plan, which is different from the common practice of a T shaped plan adopted in many North African countries. The qibla wall is perpendicular to the naves which is said to be an unconventional layout, given that it is customary for the rows of worshipers facing Mecca to be as wide as possible rather than extend farther back (Halod and Khan 1997, 61). The adoption of this plan has been described as "a conflict between King Hassan II the ancient aristocrat and King Hassan II the contemporary leader who must develop commerce and industry in order meet the needs of his country."

Read More

Tours from Casablanca

Tours from Casablanca

Below are the most popular tours that visitors usually book from Casablanca, but we can make a costumized one depending on your interests and time frame.
Contact us for more details: contact@hypermoroccotours.com
or via our Contact form

7 days 6 nights (Imperial tours):
Day 1 : Casablanca Arrival
Day 2 : Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes
Day 3 : Meknes - Volubilis - Fes
Day 4 : Fes city tour
Day 5 : Fes - Beni Mallal - Marrakech
Day 6 : Marrakech
Day 7 : Marrakech - Casablanca


_______________________________________________________

11 days 10 nights:
Day 1 : Casablanca arrival
Day 2 : Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes
Day 3 : Meknes - Volubilis - Moulay Idiss Zarhoun - Fes
Day 4 : Fes city tour
Day 5 : Fes - Azrou - Ifrane - Midelt - Erfoud - Merzouga
Day 6 : Merzouga - Rissani - Tinerhir - Boumalne Dades
Day 7 : Boumanle Dades - kelaa Mgouna - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
Day 8 : Marrakech city tour
Day 9 : Marrakech - Essaouira
Day 10: Essaouira - Casablanca
Day 11: Casablnaca - Airport

Read More

Morocco in The 50s (HD)

Morocco in The 50s

Here is a playlist of five videos of Morocco in the 50s, in color and HD, the videos are:

Casablanca Morocco in the 50s

Rabat Morocco in the 50s

Marrakech Morocco in the 50s

Fes Morocco in the 50s

Meknes Morocco in the 50s

Enjoy:

History of Morocco: French and Spanish protectorates

[Source: Wifipedia]

A second "Moroccan crisis" provoked by Berlin increased European Great Power tensions, but the Treaty of Fez (signed on March 30, 1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of protecting powerover the northern and southern (Ifni) zones on November 27 of that year. Spain was given control of pieces of Morocco in the far north (Protectorate of Tetuan) and south (Cape Juby). Tangier received special international status. From a strictly legal point of view, the treaty did not deprive Morocco of its status as a sovereign state. Theoretically, the sultan remained the sole source of sovereignty. He reigned, but he did not rule. The treaty triggered the 1912 Fez riots.

Under the protectorate, French civil servants allied themselves with the French settlers (colons) and with their supporters in France to prevent any moves in the direction of Moroccan autonomy. As pacification proceeded, the French government promoted economic development, particularly the exploitation of Morocco's mineral wealth, the creation of a modern transportation system, and the development of a modern agricultural sector geared to the French market. Tens of thousands of colons entered Morocco and bought up large amounts of the rich agricultural land. Interest groups that formed among these elements continually pressured France to increase its control over Morocco.

Independent Morocco: since 1956

In late 1955, Mohammed V successfully negotiated the gradual restoration of Moroccan independence within a framework of French-Moroccan interdependence. The sultan agreed to institute reforms that would transform Morocco into a constitutional monarchy with a democratic form of government. In February 1956, Morocco acquired limited home rule. Further negotiations for full independence culminated in the French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris on March 2, 1956. On April 7 of that year France officially relinquished its protectorate in Morocco. The internationalized city of Tangier was reintegrated with the signing of the Tangier Protocol on October 29, 1956. The abolition of the Spanish protectorate and the recognition of Moroccan independence by Spain were negotiated separately and made final in the Joint Declaration of April 1956.^[16]Through this agreement with Spain in 1956 and another in 1958, Moroccan control over certain Spanish-ruled areas was restored, though attempts to claim other Spanish possessions through military action were less successful.

In the months that followed independence, Mohammed V proceeded to build a modern governmental structure under aconstitutional monarchy in which the sultan would exercise an active political role. He acted cautiously, having no intention of permitting more radical elements in the nationalist movement to overthrow the established order. He was also intent on preventing the Istiqlal from consolidating its control and establishing a single-party state. In August 1957, Mohammed V assumed the title of king.

Read More

Morocco: The best of in 2 minutes

Morocco: The best of in 2 minutes

This post is about letting you know that the link to the slidshow about Morocco and moroccan cities I have posted before has been changed, and it doesn't let me change it in the older post, so I have decided to post it again, in a wider video because the last one was in a small screen.

The video shows pictures and landscaped about the most beautiful cities and places in morocco that you should visit, from the north to south, east to west, desert to the beach, forests to mountains..

cities shown in this video: Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Ouarzazat, Ouzoud (Azilal), Ifrane, Tangier, Tetouan, Asila, Fes, Meknes, Martil, Taghazout, Merzouga, Erfoud, Chefchaouen (or Chaouen/Chawen for short),

Enjoy!

Read More

Casablanca

Casablanca

Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ, original name in Berber: ⴰⵏⴼⴰ Anfa) is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb region. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture of Casablanca and 3,631,061 in the region of Grand Casablanca. Casablanca is considered the economic and business center of Morocco, while the political capital city of Morocco is Rabat.

Casablanca hosts headquarters and main industrial facilities for the leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historical position as the main industrial zone of the country. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in the world, and the largest port of North Africa. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy.

Casablanca in video:

More photos:

Read More

Morocco: History (part 1)

Morocco: History (part one)

If you are interested in tours and excurions around imperial cities and historical places you may also be interested in knowing a little bit about the history of morocco

Prehistoric Morocco
In 1971 the fossilised bones of a 400,000 year old early human ancestor was discovered at Sale. In 1991 the bones of several very early Homo sapiens were discovered at Jebel Irhoud that are at least 160,000 years old[1]. In 2007 small perforated sea shell beads were discovered in Taforalt that are 82,000 years old, which makes them the earliest evidence of personal adornment yet found anywhere in the world.

The Capsian culture brought Morocco into the Neolithic about 2001 BC, at a time when the Maghreb was less arid than it is today. The Berber language probably was formed at roughly the same time as agriculture, and was developed by the existing population and adopted the immigrants who arrived later. Modern DNA analysis has confirmed that various populations have contributed to the present-day gene pool of Morocco in addition to the main ethnic group which is the Amazighs/Berbers. A very small percentage of those other populations are Iberians and sub-Saharan Africans.

In Mesolithic ages the geography of Morocco resembled a savanna more than the present day arid landscape. While little is known about Morocco settlement in these early times, excavations elsewhere in the Maghreb suggest an abundance of game and forests that would have been hospitable to Mesolithic hunters and gatherers.

The coastal regions of present-day Morocco shared in an early Neolithic culture that was common to the whole Mediterranean littoral. Archaeological remains point to the domestication of cattle and the cultivation of crops in the region during that period. Eight thousand years ago, south of the great mountain ranges in what is now the Sahara Desert, a vast savanna supported Neolithic hunters and herders whose culture flourished until the region began to desiccate as a result of climatic changes after 4000 BC.

Phoenicians on the coast
Phoenician traders, who had penetrated the western Mediterranean before the 12th century BC, set up depots for salt and ore along the coast and up the rivers of the territory that is now Morocco. The arrival of Phoenicians heralded many centuries of rule by foreign powers for the north of Morocco. Major early substantial settlements of the Phoenicians were at Chellah, Lixus and Mogador, with Mogador being a Phoenician colony as early as the early 6th century BC. Carthage developed commercial relations with the Berber tribes of the interior and paid them an annual tribute to ensure their cooperation in the exploitation of raw materials.

By the 5th century BC, Carthage had extended its hegemony across much of North Africa. By the 2nd century BC, several large, although loosely administered, Berber kingdoms had emerged.

Read Part two here

Read More