The town's origins are unknown. In the 12th century, an Amazigh (Berber) hamlet named Anfa stood on the same site; it became a pirate stronghold for pursuing Christian ships and was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1468. In 1515, the Portuguese returned to the area and established Casa Branca (“White House”), a new town.
The town was conquered by the French in 1907, and Casablanca became Morocco's main port during the French protectorate (1912–56). Since then, the city has continued to grow and develop at a remarkable pace. During World War II (1939–45), the city hosted a British-American summit meeting in 1943.
Casablanca's man-made port, which is sheltered from the sea by a breakwater, handles the majority of Morocco's foreign trade. It is also a port of call for European ships, with tourist stores lining the Boulevard Hansali, which leads to the port. The old city, or medina, the historic Arab settlement, is located inland from the docks and harbor.
