Free Melilla Guide
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Population: 65,000
Melilla is a Spanish autonomous city located on the North African Rif coast. It has frequent connections to mainland Spain by boat to Almería and Málaga and by plane.
Melilla and Ceuta (also on the North African Coast) are the only two remaining European territories located in mainland Africa.
Originally settled by Spain in 1497 it was administered as part of Málaga province prior to the March 14, 1995 Statute of Autonomy.
Morocco has claimed sovereignty over Melilla, Ceuta and various small Spanish islands off the coast of Africa and in 2002 Spain sent warships to the area - the potential conflict was calmed by US intervention.
The Capilla de Santiago (James' Chapel) in Melilla is the only genuine example of Gothic architecture in Africa After Barcelona, Melilla has the most important concentration of Modernist architecture in Spain.
As part of the European Union, African refugees constantly try to enter Melilla, both legally and illegally. The border is secured by 6m high double fence with watch towers yet illegal immigrants regularly manage to cross the border.
