Spanish is spoken in the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa.
Response to your inquiry in detail
Spanish is spoken in the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa. These cities are enclave territories that belong to Spain but are located on the African continent. According to data from the Spanish population census of 2020, the population of Ceuta is around 84,000 and the population of Melilla is around 86,000.
Ceuta and Melilla have a unique history and culture, influenced by both Spanish and North African traditions. The Spanish language is the official language of these territories, but other languages are also spoken, including Arabic and Berber.
In addition to Spanish, Morocco also has its own local dialect of Spanish, known as Moroccan Spanish or Spanglish. This dialect is spoken by some Moroccans who have learned Spanish due to its historical ties with Spain.
According to the Moroccan scholar Abdallah Laroui, “The geopolitical situation of Morocco and its historical relationship with Spain made Spanish the first foreign language that Moroccans have learned in the modern period.”
Interesting facts about Ceuta and Melilla:
- Both Ceuta and Melilla were under Muslim rule for centuries before becoming Spanish territories in the 15th century.
- Ceuta and Melilla are both located on the Mediterranean Sea, across from the coast of southern Spain.
- Due to their location on the African continent, both cities are popular destinations for African migrants seeking to enter Europe.
- The border between Morocco and Melilla is one of the few places in the world where the border of one continent (Africa) meets the border of another continent (Europe).
- Ceuta and Melilla are known for their unique architecture, which blends Spanish and North African styles.
- The economy of these territories is heavily dependent on trade with Spain and tourism.
Table:
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ceuta | Spain | ~84,000 |
| Melilla | Spain | ~86,000 |
Video related “Where do they speak Spanish in northern Africa?”
The video explores the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla located on the Moroccan coast. Despite being located in Africa, residents of these cities are Spanish, pay with Euros, speak Spanish and fly the Spanish flag. Spain’s sovereignty over these cities pre-dates Europe’s colonization of Africa. Morocco considers the cities illegally held by Spain, but the people of Ceuta overwhelmingly wish to remain with Spain. The complex relationship between Spain and Morocco over these cities has caused tension between the two countries, with issues including water rights and the recent closing of the northern land border with Spain due in part to Morocco’s anger towards Spain.
I discovered more solutions online
Spanish North Africa, five small areas, in special relationship with the Spanish government, on and off the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. They are Alhucemas, Ceuta, the Chafarinas Islands, Melilla (qq. v.), and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, with a combined area of about 12 square miles (31 square km).
You will probably be interested in these topics as well
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is not the closest African country to Spain, but it is the only African country that communicates using the Spanish language. Spain invaded this particular country in the 1700-the 1800s. Approximately 67.7% of the population in Equatorial Guinea speaks Spanish.
Let’s dig a little deeper and learn some interesting cultural tidbits about the only Spanish speaking country in Africa. The current capital of Equatorial Guinea is Malabo, which is located in the Bioko Norte province on the island of Bioko.