Rabat Excursions
Casablanca © oNico
Casablanca
The huge city of Casablanca is a busy fast-growing port with a
European character. The population explosion, brought about chiefly
by immigration from the countryside, has brought some social
problems like crime and prostitution, and resulted in the
proliferation of shantytowns. The gap between the haves and the
have-nots in Casablanca may be wide, but the city centre is
impressive and modern, with wide avenues and well-kept skyscrapers.
The people too are modern and there is little sign of traditional
dress and modestly scarved women. The old city area is small, but
like the medina of all Moroccan cities it serves as a bazaar venue.
The canny shopkeepers, however, ensure that there are few bargains
to be had here. The main attraction is the elaborately decorated
Hassan II Mosque, the third largest religious monument in the
world, perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Although
beautifully and traditionally adorned the mosque also has high-tech
features like a sliding roof and under-floor heating.
