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Locations - Casablanca

Economic capital

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, with a population of around 6.5 million people, and the Casablanca area is considered to be the economic capital of the country. It is the city chosen by most Moroccan and international companies for their headquarters and facilities, and is the country’s main industrial zone. Casablanca has Morocco’s chief port, which is one of the world’s largest artificial ports.

Terrorism and tourism

Casablanca has been working to expand its tourism industry, although these efforts have been hampered by a series of suicide bombings that took place during March and April of 2007. The city has had experience of terrorist attacks in recent years, having suffered a multiple suicide bomb attack in 2003 which killed 33 civilians. However, the most recent reports are that, according to Tourism Minister Adil Douiri, the attacks earlier this year have had little impact on visitor numbers to Casablanca.

Hub of industry

The Casablanca area is without doubt the driving force behind Morocco’s economy. It has 60% of Morocco’s industrial labour, 39% of its production units, and uses 35% of the country’s electricity. The area supplies 54% of the country’s industrial production, the seaports of Casablanca and Mohammedia carry 55% of the Morocco’s international commercial flows, and the Mohammed V International Airport at Casablanca carries 51% of the country’s passenger traffic.

Old Medina and New Town

Although the Old Medina of Casablanca does not attract the same number of visitors as the medinas of some other towns, recent restoration has taken place and so the area is likely to be more of a draw in future. The city does have a popular New Town area which is considered by many to be the most attractive in Morocco, with numerous examples of Art Deco architecture and some quieter, pedestrianised areas.

Modern business centre

Casablanca does not have the feel of ‘true Morocco’ in the same way as some other Moroccan cities - in some ways it has more in common with a southern European city - but many people may prefer the more modern feel and dynamism offered by this business centre of the country.

Related items

Documents and Reports

	Morocco property investment report (386Kb)
	Morocco country guide (954Kb)
	Morocco property buying guide (828Kb)
Documents and Reports

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