Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the only land borders of the European Union with Africa.
Colonialism, eh?
Spain’s two enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the only land borders of the European Union with Africa.
Colonialism, eh?
Ah, but that’s different – because of reasons….
Some years ago while on holiday in Spain my wife and I took a day trip to Morocco via Ceuta. Most of the other participants were Germans and one of them asked our Spanish guide about Ceuta, Melilla and Gibraltar. The guide was most insistent that Ceuta and Melilla were integral parts of Spain – nothing like Gibraltar which is an integral part of Spain occupied by UK. Casuistry, eh?
That’s right
The Spanish have owned Ceuta for 124 years longer than the British have held Gibraltar
And don’t you forget it !
@Ottokring
Since Spain as a country only dates back to 1492*, the UK has had Gibraltar rather longer than the Spanish. From 1701, Treaty of Vienna?
*Ferdinand & Isabella accept the surrender of Granada & Andalucia & complete the Reconquista. Gibraltar, you will note, is in Andalucia. Al Andalus.
Melilla & Ceuta are Spanish/Medina-Sedonia from 1494 so 530 to today. Minus 323 for UK/Gib gives you 207.
Bit of Spanish history. Traditionally, tapas date back to the entry of Ferdinand & Isabella to the City of Granada. Isabella was offered a drink & to keep the flies out of it (Andalucia & goats) a plate was placed on top & small portion of food on the plate. Tapa being a lid. So a tapa is always free. And in the villages around Granada, particularly in the Alpuhajarras, they still are. So if you’re asked to pay for a tapa, it by definition, isn’t a tapa.
Alpujarras! What happens when you have a language with two H’s in it.
I remember learning that Ceuta was captured by the Portuguese at the start of their great age of exploration.
(checks Wiki…)
That’s right, captured in 1415 and only ceded to the Spanish in 1668 (although would have been part of the Iberian Union for about 10 years before that if you want to nit-pick).
i seem to recall from reading my Pepys that England had a brief go at a colony in Tangier, *Charles 2’s portuguese wife’s dowry, but soon realised why the Portuguese were so keen to be rid of it.
HB: Yes, some of my ancestors from Whitby built the harbour in Tangiers. As a young’un I was really puzzled by a painting entitled “Prospect of ye North side of Tangier regarding the mayne Sea from the hill as you come from Whitby or the West, toward the Towne.” It looked nothing like the Whitby I was growing up in! 😀
BiS
I think Ceuta was Portiguese before 1580 ?
Young Sebastian led a crusade inyo Morocco from there and was killed ( along with a large chunk of the Port. nobility ). So Philip II took the crown of Port and their overseas possessions. The Ports rebelled in the 17th Cent ( 1640 / 1660 ? I forget now ) and reclaimed most of their possession except the North African enclaves.
Ceuta was actually a bit of a drain on Port resouces, because all the traffic there went to Tangiers instead.
Apologies Ottkring. I’d read your comment as Ceuta & Melilla & quoted the history of Melilla because Spain has held it the longest. It’s also, like Gibraltar & the rest of Andalucia, gained by the Spanish crown in the Treaty of Granada. So Spain owns it by right & Morocco has less of a claim to it. On the other hand, they do have a claim to the Apujarras. Since the Emir kept that as part of the Treaty of Granada & which Spain reneged on. Which is what they’re trying to do with Gibraltar. Beware of dagos bearing treaties.