Abstract. Ceuta, Melilla, Vélez de la Gomera, Alhucemas and the Chafarinas Islands are Spanish territories that lie along Morocco’s northern coastline. Morocco has claimed the territories since its independence in 1956. … Morocco’s claim to Ceuta and Melilla is found to be weak.
Why does Spain still have Ceuta?
When Spain recognized the independence of Spanish Morocco in 1956, Ceuta and the other plazas de soberanía remained under Spanish rule. Spain considered them integral parts of the Spanish state, but Morocco has disputed this point. Culturally, modern Ceuta is part of the Spanish region of Andalusia.
Why does Spain own Melilla?
Melilla was the first Spanish town to rise against the Popular Front government in July 1936, thus helping precipitate the Spanish Civil War. Melilla was retained by Spain as an exclave when Morocco attained independence in 1956.
Are Ceuta and Melilla colonies?
Gibraltar, they point out, is a colony. Ceuta and Melilla, both military emplacements, are fully paid-up parts of Spain whose citizens elect their own representatives in the Madrid parliament and have exactly the same rights as any other Spaniard. … “ have never been colonies and are not now.”
Does Morocco belong to Spain?
The northern zone became part of independent Morocco on 7 April 1956, shortly after France ceded its protectorate (French Morocco). Spain finally ceded its southern zone through the Treaty of Angra de Cintra on 1 April 1958, after the short Ifni War.
Does Spain still own Ceuta?
Ceuta is an autonomous city administered by Spain. Ceuta, Melilla (also an exclave), and other tiny islets along the coast of North Africa constitute the territories of Spanish North Africa. The city is on a narrow isthmus that connects Mount Hacho (also held by Spain) to the mainland.
Does Morocco claim the Canary Islands?
afrol News, 3 December – In a seldom statement, the Moroccan consul in the Canary Islands has made it clear the Kingdom has no territorial claims over the archipelago located only 100 kilometres off its southern coasts.
Is Northern Africa very far from Spain?
The shortest distance between Africa and Spain is 8.9 miles or 14 kilometers and is the straight’s narrowest point. To be even more precise, it takes a ferry about 35 minutes to cross from Europe to Africa at the narrowest part of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Is Ceuta in Europe or Africa?
Ceuta and Melilla: Spain’s enclaves in North Africa. In Morocco they call them the occupied “Sebtah and Melilah”. The rest of the world knows them as the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
Who owns Gibraltar?
Gibraltar (/dʒɪˈbrɔːltər/ jih-BRAWL-tər, Spanish: ) is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi) and is bordered to the north by Spain.
Can you swim from Spain to Africa?
The distance from the tip of Spain (Tarifa) to the nearest bit of Africa is quoted as 14.4km, but basically you aim south and the tide and current takes you east into the Med, so you don’t swim 14.4km.
What language is spoken in Ceuta?
As a Spanish city, the official and most spoken language in Ceuta is Spanish. Due to the vicinity with Morocco, Arabic and/or Tamazight and French are also frequent languages.
Who colonized Morocco?
The French Protectorate consisted of a majority, about nine-tenths, of Morocco. France controlled the Moroccan land to the south of the Spanish Protectorate. The capital city of the French Protectorate was Rabat (History of Morocco to the Present Day, Moroccansands.com).
Where is Polisario?
Polisario-controlled areas
The Polisario controls about 20–25% of the Western Sahara territory, as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and claim sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara.
Does Spain own Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Morocco. They are an autonomous community of Spain (they make their own laws). … The autonomous community has two capital cities, of equal status: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Is there a ferry from Morocco to Canary Islands?
Naviera Armas offers regular ferry services between mainland Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands, as well as numerous inter island connections. Having begun operations in 1941, Naviera Armas has since become one of the most frequently used transportation services in the Canary Islands.
How did Spain get the Canary Islands?
In 1479 the Treaty of Alcáçovas recognized Spanish sovereignty over the Canaries, and the conquest of the remaining islands was completed in 1496. Christopher Columbus replenished all four of his westbound fleets in the Canaries, which became an indispensable Spanish base on sea routes to the Americas.
Is Ceuta worth visiting?
Ceuta is the largest Spanish enclave in Morocco and is worth visiting for a few hours. If anything, the experience of going into Spain for a day is fun. I haven’t visited Spain for many years and I found it entertaining to eat the food and listen to the language for a few hours.
Is Ceuta safe for tourists?
Be a smart, safe traveler.
We felt perfectly safe while in Ceuta, but we heard there were some places in Ceuta you wouldn’t want to visit at night. Overall, Ceuta is poorer than the rest of Spain, so just be aware of your surroundings. Read more of our travel safety tips here.
Is there a ferry from Morocco to Spain?
There are 4 ferry routes operating between Morocco and Spain offering you combined total of 9 sailings per week. Balearia operates 2 routes, Nador to Almeria runs 1 time per week & Tangier Med to Algeciras about 2 times weekly.
What countries do Spain own?
Mexico, California, and the Philippines are just a few examples, as Spain colonized most of the Americas prolifically, and parts of Africa and Europe. By visiting Central and South America, it is easy to see how strong Spain’s cultural influence has been.
What is the Race of Morocco?
Ethnic groups
Moroccans are primarily of Arab and Berber (Amazigh) origin, as in other neighbouring countries in Maghreb region. Today, Moroccans are considered a mix of Arab, Berber, and mixed Arab-Berbers or Arabized Berbers, alongside other minority ethnic backgrounds from across the region.