Spanish North Africa
Why does Spain have enclaves in North Africa?
Why are Ceuta and Melilla considered migration flashpoints in Europe?
What are the five Spanish areas in North Africa?
How are Ceuta and Melilla administered?
What historical event marked the beginning of European colonization on the African coast?
Spanish North Africa, five small areas, in special relationship with the Spanish government, on and off the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. They are Ceuta, Melilla, Alhucemas, the Chafarinas Islands, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, with a combined area of about 12 square miles (31 square km). Ceuta is administered as part of Cádiz province, the rest as part of Málaga province, and each of the small areas, under Spanish sovereignty, are part of the European Union. The five areas are among the remnants of European colonialism in North Africa that began with the Age of Discovery. In the 21st century the mainland towns of Ceuta and Melilla have become flashpoints in European debates on migration and border control.
Ceuta and Melila
The modern European colonization of the African coast began with Portugal’s capture (1415) of Ceuta, a port city whose strategic location at the Strait of Gibraltar gave it control over important shipping routes in and out of the Mediterranean Sea. In 1497 Spain took control of Melilla to help secure its recently conquered territories in Granada (1491–92) and establish a foothold in Muslim-ruled North Africa, where the Muslim Nasrid dynasty of Granada had taken refuge. Ceuta later passed into Spain’s possession in 1580 with the union of Portugal and Spain. It remained under Spanish control in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon (1688) that secured Portuguese independence. With the advent of the Schengen Agreement and the creation of the European Union at the end of the 20th century, Ceuta and Melilla became the only land holdings of the European Union in continental Africa. They became frequent points of entry for migrants attempting to reach Europe, making Ceuta and Melilla focal points in European debates over border security as well as policies for immigration and asylum.
Island areas and former Spanish territories
Alhucemas, the Chafarinas Islands, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera consist of small rocky islets just off the North African coast. They have no permanent civilian population, although Spain maintains military garrisons on them. The nearby towns of Al-Hoceïma and Nador were developed under Spanish administration in the early 20th century but they became part of Morocco, along with Sidi Ifni, upon its independence in 1956.
