Ceuta and Melila: Location, History, Size, Population, & Government

About Ceuta and Melila, information, history size, location, population, people, culture, and government.

Ceuta and Melilla

Size--12.5 sq. mi. (32 sq. km.). Population--180,000.

These Spanish-controlled enclaves are on the north coast of Morocco. Ceuta is opposite Gibraltar and Melilla is 200 mi. to the east. They are considered private paradises by the Spanish who have settled there, or who use the 2 cities as vacation homelands. There is almost one car for every family in both places. The towns are filled with yacht clubs and cafes; life is easygoing, relaxed, and entertaining. Both are free ports, and right now Spain is building them up as tourist havens.