| ||||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Ceuta (enclave) | |||||||
| Language Official |
Spanish | |||||||
| Others | Moroccan | |||||||
| Government | Autonomous city | |||||||
| Legislature | Council of Government | |||||||
| Area | 18.5 km² | |||||||
| Population | 80,000+ | |||||||
| Established | January 1, 1668 | |||||||
Ceuta is an 18.5 square kilometer (7.1 sq mi) Spanish autonomous city located on the north coast of Africa, separated by 14 kilometers from Cadiz province on the Spanish mainland by the Straits of Gibraltar and sharing a 6.4 kilometer land border with M'diq-Fnideq Prefecture in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of nine populated Spanish territories in Africa and, along with Melilla, one of two populated territories on mainland Africa.
History
Pre-War
World War III
Ceuta was protected by the Allied Blockade of Gibraltar, effectively preventing Soviet warships and submarines from escaping into the Atlantic via the Mediterranean. Residents of the autonomous city witnessed the battle taking place across the Straits. Authorities and Spanish Army soldiers stationed in Ceuta ensured procedures to maintain order and should the need arise, to evacuate the population to the Canary Islands. The Soviet military high command deemed both Ceuta and Melilla too unnecessary to occupy or even attack, thus alleviating the fears of the enclave's residents.
Transnational Issues
The small Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta on the Mediterranean coast are surrounded by Morocco and have been administered by Spain for centuries, which continues to be in an obstacle on Spain-Morocco relations since Morocco lays claims to these areas.
The two Spanish enclaves of Ceuta (right inset) and Melila (left inset) is bordered by Morocco whick also claims the area to belonging to the country.