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

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.Its strategic location has made it both a military stronghold and one of Europe's most heavily fortified borders.

High-security fences topped with razor wire separate Ceuta from Morocco, symbolising not only a territorial dispute but also one of the EU's busiest external frontiers.

In June 2022, the city came under intense international attention after a mass border crossing attempt ended in tragedy, leaving at least 37 people dead, according to human rights groups and international organisations.