Casablancais are cosmopolitan, and are more open to Western ways than other places in
Morocco. This is reflected in their dress, and in the way men and women hang out together in
restaurants, bars, beaches and hip clubs. But Europe is not the only inspiration. More and more
young Casablancais are realising that they come from a country with a fascinating history.
Casablanca is full of contradictions. It is home to suffocating traffic jams (at least until the
new tramway system is in oper-ation towards the end of 2012), simmering social problems and
huge shanty towns as well as wide boulevards, well-kept public parks, fountains and striking
colonial architecture.