Peñón de Alhucemas

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Peñón de Alhucemas, or "Lavender Rock", is one of the Spanish enclaves in North Africa off the Moroccan coast, along with the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the island of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Islas Chafarinas, and the small uninhabited island called Isla Perejil.

Peñón de Alhucemas and the islets of "Isla de Mar" and "Isla de Tierra" slightly to the west form the Alhucemas Islands. They are located 300 m (984 feet) off the Moroccan town of Al Hoceima or Alhucemas (former Villa Sanjurjo), 146 km (96 mi) east of Ceuta and 84 km (62 mi) west of Melilla.

The rock of Peñón de Alhucemas is a tiny island, 70 m by 50 m (230 feet by 165) in dimension, 27 m (88 feet) high. The rock is entirely occupied by a fort, several houses, and a church.

Isla de Mar is a flat, 4 m (12 feet) high islet. Isla de Tierra is a steep, 11 m (33 feet) high rocky platform.

Spanish rule dates back to 1559, when several territories belonging to the Saadi Dynasty were given to Spain in exchange for help in defending it against Ottoman armies. In 1673, Spain sent a garrison to the island of Peñón de Alhucemas, and it has been permanently occupied since. Today, the fort which is built on it hosts a 60 man Spanish military garrison.

The islands are also located near the landing place used by the Spanish and French expeditionary forces in 1925, during the Rif War.

Spanish sovereignty over the islands has been contested by Morocco since its independence in 1956, but as the island is not mentioned in Morocco's Independency Text, it is still considered to be legally Spanish.

[edit] See also

• Plazas de soberanía
• List of Spanish Colonial Wars in Morocco
• Spanish Morocco

Coordinates: 35°13′N 3°53′W