Safekipedia

Melilla

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A nighttime panoramic view of Melilla showing city lights and its perimeter.

Melilla is a tiny piece of Spain that sits right on the coast of North Africa. It is very close to Morocco and touches where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Imagine a small sunny spot that belongs to Spain but is surrounded by a different country!

People in Melilla speak two main languages: Spanish and a local language called Tarifit. The city has a warm climate, with mild winters and cool summers thanks to the nearby sea. Melilla is also known for its mix of cultures, with people from Spanish, Riffian, Sephardic Jews, and Sindhi Hindus backgrounds living together.

The city has some beautiful old buildings, like the Chapel of Santiago, and many lovely Modernista-style structures from the early 1900s. Melilla is a special place because it is part of the European Union, even though it is far away from most of Europe. This means it has its own rules for trade and travel, making it an interesting mix of Spanish, African, and European influences.

Images

An aerial view of the Port of Melilla in Spain, showcasing its coastal location and harbor infrastructure.
A photo of Puerta de la Marina, a historic gate building in the city of Melilla.
A beautiful historic building in Melilla, Spain, that used to be the office of a newspaper called El Telegrama del Rif.
A historical view of Melilla's town square from the late 1800s.
A historical view of the city square of Melilla in the 19th century.
A historical photograph from 1909 showing a Jewish woman inside her home in the Jewish quarter of Melilla, Spain.
Historical building Casa Melul in Melilla
A historic black-and-white aerial view of the city center of Melilla from 1926, showing Parque Hernández, Plaza de España, and surrounding neighborhoods.
A detailed map showing the layout and geography of the town of Melilla.
A stunning view of the Strait of Gibraltar from the International Space Station, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, with Spain and Morocco visible on either side.
The Town Hall of Melilla, a beautiful public building in Spain.
A desalination plant in Melilla, Spain, which turns seawater into fresh water for the community.
Historical map showing the layout of the city of Melilla in Spain from the year 1699.

Related articles

Spain
North Africa
Morocco
Mediterranean Sea
European Union

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Melilla, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.