Anfa
Encyclopedia
Anfa 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 Marinid
s, 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, who called it Anafé, 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 airport
s (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.
Casablanca
Casablanca 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. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. It was originally settled by Berbers
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
in the 7th century. The area, which they named Anfa, became a small, independent kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
, which rejected the muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
rule that surrounded it until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068.
From the 14th century, under the Marinid
Marinid
The Marinid dynasty or Benemerine dynasty was a Zenata Berber dynasty of Morocco. The Marinid dynasty overtook the Almohads in controlling Morocco in 1244. They controlled most of the Maghreb from the mid-14th century to the 15th century and supported the Kingdom of Granada in Al-Andalus in the...
s, Anfa rose in importance as a port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
. 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
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, who destroyed the town in 1468. It was used by the Portuguese, who called it Anafé, as a military fortress since 1515.
Anfa is today the name of an arrondissement
Arrondissement
Arrondissement is any of various administrative divisions of France, certain other Francophone countries, and the Netherlands.-France:The 101 French departments are divided into 342 arrondissements, which may be translated into English as districts. The capital of an arrondissement is called a...
(district) to the west of central Casablanca, and of one of the city's two main airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s (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.