What is special about the cities Ceuta and Melilla?

For centuries, Ceuta and Melilla were vital port cities, offering protection for Spanish ships and acting as trading posts between Europe and Africa. In the 1930s, Spanish troops garrisoned in the two cities played a major role in future dictator Francisco Franco’s uprising against their government.

What is Melilla known for?

Melilla, Spanish exclave, military base, and free port on the northern coast of Morocco. 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.

What is Ceuta known for?

Ceuta is one of two Spanish port cities on the northern shore of Africa, along with Melilla. They are historically military strongholds, free ports, oil ports, and also fishing ports.

What is Ceuta and Melilla?

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.

Which is better Ceuta or Melilla?

If you are looking for nightlife, Ceuta is probably also a winner. However, I love Melilla for the beautiful architecture and the tiny beach contained in the old fortress. You can still get plenty of tapas and wine, but it has a chiller vibe than Ceuta.

What does Melilla mean?

Melilla in British English (Spanish meˈlija) noun. the chief town of a Spanish enclave in Morocco, on the Mediterranean coast: founded by the Phoenicians; exports iron ore.

How safe is Melilla?

Melilla is a safe city to visit, though not unconditionally so. There are always lots of people enjoying the beach, etc. until late; though it is not advisable to travel alone at night, even in the city centre. Street robbery is not an uncommon occurrence for people walking alone at night in Melilla.

What is the population of Ceuta and Melilla?

Spanish territories 1 Population 77,000 (Ceuta), 70,000 (Melilla) 2 Area (combined) 32 sq km (12 sq miles) 3 Major languages Spanish, Arabic 4 Major religions Christianity, Islam 5 Life expectancy 75 years (men), 81 years (women) 6 Currency euro

Who is the king of Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla?

The current King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, still does not want to admit the European legal standards and the lawful boundaries of the European Union which clearly integrate Ceuta and Melilla within the Spanish regime.

What do you need to know about Britannica Melilla?

Encyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree…. Melilla, Spanish exclave, military base, and free port on the northern coast of Morocco.

Why did Spain build walls in Ceuta and Melilla?

For this reason, Spain decided to build two barriers of 3 feet high: 8 km long in Ceuta and 12 km long in Melilla. These walls separate the two Spanish autonomous cities from Morocco. They remind the Berlin Wall built on 13 August 1961, by East Germany to divide it from West Germany.

What is special about the cities Ceuta and Melilla? For centuries, Ceuta and Melilla were vital port cities, offering protection for Spanish ships and acting as trading posts between Europe and Africa. In the 1930s, Spanish troops garrisoned in the two cities played a major role in future dictator Francisco Franco’s uprising against their government.…