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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

Why this Spanish city has remained in Africa for more than 500 years despite being surrounded by Morocco

European Union Ceuta Morocco Africa Spain Europe the Strait of Gibraltar

Perched on a narrow peninsula on the northern coast of Africa, Ceuta lies just 17 kilometres (11 miles) across the Strait of Gibraltar from mainland Spain. Although it shares an 8-kilometre land border with Morocco, the city has remained under Spanish rule for more than five centuries and is officially part of Spain and the European Union. Its unique position makes Ceuta one of only two land borders between the EU and Africa, while Morocco continues to claim the territory as its own, keeping one of the region's longest-running sovereignty disputes alive.

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