Thousands of migrants attempting to enter the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco have once again thrust the tiny enclave into the global spotlight. Videos showing people swimming around border barriers, scaling fences, and crossing into the territory have gone viral, marking one of the biggest migration surges in recent years.
But why does Spain have territory in North Africa, and why is Ceuta so important?
What is Ceuta?
Ceuta is a small Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa. Covering just about 18 square kilometres, it sits on the Mediterranean Sea and shares its only land border with Morocco. Although geographically located in Africa, Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain and forms part of the European Union.
