Ceuta and Melilla (Vegetarian World)

Ceuta and Melilla is a North African nation directly to the south of the Strait of Gibraltar. Although lying in, it is sometimes regarded as part of due to the fact that the population and culture are both very similar to those in Europe, and  in particular. It is a country made up of two former European colonies. Ceuta was originally taken by the Portuguese before it was ceded to Spain. Melilla was Spanish from the start. Both of these colonies started out as European outposts in the 1400s and grew into towns. Over time, these colonies would spread out to encompass the area that is now Ceuta and Melilla, as well some of what is now. This was for a variety of reasons. In the late 1400s and throughout the 1500s, Spain was anxious to rid itself of the "Moors", so after pushing the Muslims out of Europe, the Spanish continued to push southwards into Africa. Later, particularly after 1604 when Spain and Portugal were banned from expanding their territory in the New World, Spain concentrated on populating its conquered lands in Northern Africa. As Ceuta and Melilla grew, their borders met. In 1929, Ceuta and Melilla gained independence peacefully and through a referendum decided to join together. Now, they are two semi-autonomous provinces that are joined as one nation-state.

Vegetarianism

 * 52% Vegetarian
 * 48% Non-Vegetarian

Ethnic Groups
Most "Melitanos", as they casually call themselves, are a mix of many ethnic groups - from the ancient Berbers and recent Spanish to Greeks, Phoenecians/Punics, Romans, Arabs, and others. Generally, people who think of themselves as mixed in some way think of their ethnicity also as "Melitano". More recent arrivals and those who don't speak Spanish are more likely to state a separate ethnicity.


 * 68% Melitanos (=Ceutans and Melillans)
 * 15% Spanish
 * 11% Berber
 * 03% Arab
 * 03% others (cheifly Europeans, North Africans, and Ethiopians)

Languages
Ceuta and Melilla's official and most-spoken language is Spanish. However, the local Spanish dialect is called "Melitano" (like the people) and makes use of many Portuguese, Berber, and Arabic words, along with some Spanish vocabulary that is considered obsolete.


 * 89% Spanish (mostly "Melitano" in all but the most formal situations)
 * 07% Berber
 * 02% Arab
 * 02% others

Religions

 * 76% Christian
 * 59% Catholic
 * 11% nonreligious
 * 07% atheist
 * 04% agnostic
 * 06% Muslim
 * 04% Jewish
 * 02% Cathar
 * 01% others (Hindu, etc)