Ceuta, Melilla profile Published duration 14 December 2018

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.

Ceuta and its larger sister city Melilla, situated some 250 miles further south along the coast, trace their Spanish past to the 15th century.

Coveted by Morocco, they have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations with Spain. Madrid asserts that both territories are integral parts of Spain and have the same status as the semi-autonomous regions on its mainland.

Historically, both port cities developed as military and trade centres linking Africa to Europe. Since 1995, they have enjoyed a limited degree of self-government as Autonomous Communities.

Unemployment among the native workforce is more than 30%, among the highest rates in Spain. The cities are a magnet for thousands of traders and menial workers who cross the border from Morocco each day to earn a living.

Increasingly Ceuta and Melilla's heavily fortified borders have come under pressure from African migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Human rights groups and the European Union have raised concerns with Madrid about the deportation of illegal immigrants.

Head of State: King Felipe VI

image copyright Getty Images image caption Spanish King Juan Carlos angered Morocco by visiting Ceuta in 2007

Ceuta and Melilla enjoy local autonomy and have their own governments, led by city presidents. They return deputies and senators to the Spanish parliament. Until 1995 they were administered by provincial governments - Cadiz for Ceuta, and Malaga for Melilla.

The national networks of Spain's public broadcaster, RadioTelevision Espanola (RTVE), are available in Ceuta and Melilla. They are served by commercial stations.

The press

Radio

Some key dates in the history of Ceuta and Melilla:

image copyright Getty Images image caption Moroccan protesters opposite the island of Perejil demand an end to the Spanish "occupation". In 2002 Spanish troops were sent to eject Moroccan police from the island

5th century - Ceuta and Melilla are successively colonised by the Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans.

8th century - Ceuta is ruled by various Berber and Arab dynasties.

1415 - Portugal seizes control of Ceuta.

1497 - Spain conquers Melilla, a long history of attacks and siege by Muslim forces follows.

1556 - Melilla comes under Spanish rule.

1688 - Ceuta remains under Spanish control after the union between Portugal and Spain ends.

1936 - Melilla is the first Spanish town where the military garrison rose against the Popular Front Government at the start of the Spanish Civil War.

1956 - Spain retains Ceuta and Melilla after Morocco becomes independent.

1995 - Spain approves Statute of Autonomy for Ceuta and Melilla.

2002 - Moroccan and Spanish forces clash over the islet of Perejil off Ceuta.

2007 - Visit by Spain's King Juan Carlos reignites Moroccan claims of sovereignty.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Hundreds of migrants daily try cross the substantial border fences separating the Spanish territories from Morocco