Few people are aware
of the existence of Spanish Morocco, and Melilla is much less known
than the other part, "Ceuta." The existence of Melilla today,
is based on history more than anything else. While Melilla is pleasant,
clean and apparently well-off, most of this is the result of subsidies
from the Spanish state.
Melilla's own income come from thousands of soldiers, contraband and
still some tax free shopping. But there are less visitors coming from
mainland Spain than before, and the Moroccan police has become more
effective in stopping illegal importation of goods from Melilla, so
there are dark clouds over the city's future.
Melilla is far more a mixture of Spanish and Moorish, than most cities
in southern Spain. The old city and the fortress out at the sea are
things in Melilla that attract tourists. And the market area is very
charming.
But the main attraction of Melilla is of course the weirdness of the
place. It is so small that all land is regulated, surrounded by Morocco
on all sides, and 6 hours ferry ride from mainland Spain. |
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