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MELILLA

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city, NW Africa, a Spanish exclave and port, on the Mediterranean Sea. Administered as part of Málaga Province, it was granted limited autonomous status in 1995. Bordered by Morocco, Melilla consists of an older, walled town on a peninsula and modern buildings to the S and W. The city is a rail terminus serving the mountainous Rif hinterland, and exports include iron, lead, zinc, fish, and fruit. The chief industries in the city are fish processing, boatbuilding, sawmilling, and flour milling. Founded by the Phoenicians as Rusaddir, it was ruled by the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, and various Berber dynasties before being conquered by Spain in 1497. A revolt of army officers in the Melilla garrison in 1936 was a prelude to the Spanish civil war. Pop. (2003 est.) 68,463.

See also Spain.

An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.

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ENCYCLOPEDIA:

SPAIN

Also, Spain administers the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as three island groups near Africa, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Peñón de the Alhucemas, and Chafarinas islands—all located off the coast of Morocco and collectively called the Places of Sovereignty. Two other . . .

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ENCYCLOPEDIA: MELILLA,

ENCYCLOPEDIA: Spain

ENCYCLOPEDIA: MOROCCO