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.
Where is the Spanish enclave of Ceuta?
Morocco
Ceuta, Spanish exclave, military post, and free port on the coast of Morocco, at the Mediterranean entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar.
What is Ceuta and Melilla?
The tiny Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla sit on the northern shores of Morocco’s Mediterranean coast. Together they form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The cities are a magnet for thousands of traders and menial workers who cross the border from Morocco each day to earn a living.
Why does Spain own Melilla?
Port of Melilla, 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 are the top 3 major sources of income for Spain?
The major industries that drive the economy of Spain are the tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy industries.
Is Spain richer than UK?
Spain has a GDP per capita of $38,400 as of 2017, while in United Kingdom, the GDP per capita is $44,300 as of 2017.
Is Spain richer than Italy?
For the first time, stats show Spain has a higher GDP (PPP) per capita, but Eurostat data says otherwise. For the first time, Spain has overtaken Italy in terms of GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP), according to figures released on Thursday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Can you eat pork in Morocco?
Consumption of pork is prohibited by Islam. Pig farming is permitted in Morocco and Tunesia to cater for the European tourists who flock there annually.
Why did Spain give Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco?
The government of Morocco has repeatedly called for Spain to transfer the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, together with the rest of the Spanish plazas de soberanía on the North African coast, on the grounds of asserting its territorial integrity.
When did Ceuta become part of the Canary Islands?
It was part of the province of Cádiz until 14 March 1995. On that date, Statutes of Autonomy were passed for both Ceuta and Melilla. Ceuta, like Melilla and the Canary Islands, was classified as a free port before Spain joined the European Union.
What was the population of Melilla before Spain joined Europe?
Melilla, like Ceuta, was a free port before Spain joined the European Union. [citation needed] In 2011 it had a population of 78,476, made up of Catholics of Iberian origin (primarily from Andalusia and Catalonia), ethnic Riffian Berbers and a small number of Sephardic Jews and Sindhi Hindus.
Where was the Berber village of Melilla located?
Melilla was an ancient Berber village and a Phoenician and later Punic trade establishment under the name of Rusadir (Rusaddir for the Romans and Russadeiron (Ancient Greek: Ῥυσσάδειρον) for the Greeks).