The history of Casablanca dates back to the 10th century BCE, when the first human settlement was believed to be established by Berber fishermen.
The next to come through the area were the Romans late in the 1st century BCE, who used Casablanca as a strategic port.
Again in the 7th century the Berbers came to Casablanca, which they inhabited and named, The Kingdom of Anfa. This independent kingdom was surrounded by Moslem ruled areas, which they were able to fend off until 1068, when the Almoravids conquered Anfa.
During the next 400 years, the area of former Anfa developed as an important port town for the ruling Merenid people. Exports from the area traveled as far as mid Italy.
In the 15th century, the Merenids were rejected from the area, and Anfa again became an independent Kingdom. Unfortunately, Alfa began giving refuge to pirates who would attack Portuguese towns, and eventually Portugal destroyed Alfa.
In the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese took control of Alfa and rebuilt what it had destroyed, renaming it Casa Branca.
An earthquake destroyed the city in 1755, after which a Moroccan sultan rebuilt it and took control of the town.
After years of Spanish and French occupation, Morocco gained its independence in 1956 and also regained control of Casablanca.
Casablanca History
