et delle cose notabili che ivi sono (Description of Africa), written in the 16th century. Modern history Actual Anfa was originally built and settled by the Berbers in the Middle Ages. Anfa is a Berber name which means "the top". The area became an independent kingdom ruled by Barghawata from 744 CE 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 led to it being targeted by the Portuguese, who destroyed the town in 1468. It was used by the Portuguese, who called it Casablanca, as a military fortress from 1515. Anfa is today to the west of central Casablanca, and was the name of one of the city's two airports before being closed in 2007. The region around Casablanca is named Casa-Anfa. The neighborhood of Anfa is the most upper-class and westernized in the city. Subdivisions The district is divided into three arrondissements: Anfa (أنفا) Maârif (المعاريف) Sidi Belyout (سيدي بليوط) See also Casablanca Timeline of Casablanca References External links A 1572 map of Anfa, after an unidentified Portuguese original. History of Casablanca Neighbourhoods of Casablanca Districts of Casablanca