Anfa

Anfa ( _ar. أنفا) is the area which is today Casablanca, Morocco. It was originally settled by Berbers in the 7th century. The area, which they named Anfa, became a small, independent kingdom, which rejected the muslim rule that surrounded it until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068.

From the 14th century, under the Marinids, Anfa rose in importance as a port. In the early 15th century, the town became an independent state once again. It also became a safe harbour for pirates, which lead to it being targeted by the Portuguese, who destroyed the town in 1468. It was used by the Portuguese as a military fortress since 1515.

Anfa is today the name of an "arrondissement" (district) to the west of central Casablanca, and of one of the city's two main airports (although neither is the site of ancient Anfa). The region around Casablanca is named Casa-Anfa. The neighborhood of Anfa is known to be the most upper class and westernized in the city.

ee also

* Casablanca

External links

* [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/morocco/casablanca/maps/braun_hogenberg_I_57_1.html A 1572 map of Anfa, after an unidentified Portuguese original] .