Casablanca is often called the "United States of Morocco" as if a thousand years of history had been brushed aside to let through a modern city. With almost 4 million people, it is Africa's second largest city and only the small, walled Medina still hints at the legend that celluloid once thrust upon her. However, today the city is the commercial and industrial centre of Morocco and has limited appeal when compared with Marrakech and Fes as a holiday destination.