Empire of Islands


 We are heading down, back to the road.  It is a route which is one for the enthusiast.


What can we talk of today.  How about the Plazas de Soberania.  These are the bits of the once mighty Spanish Empire which remain true to the Bourbon throne.  Apart from Ceuta and Melilla - there are nine islands in the Med.  These are the Alhucemas Islands [4.3 hectares], Isla de Mar [1.4], Isla de Tierra [1.8]. Penon de Alhucemas [1.1], the Chafarinas Islands [ a mighty 34 hectares] Isla de Isabel II [10.2]. Isla del Rey [8.6], Isla del Congreso [15.2] and Penon de Velez de la Gomera [1.9]. 





The plazas de soberanía are small islands and a peninsula off the coast of Morocco (the only peninsula, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, was an island until a 1934 storm formed a sand bridge with the mainland). They are guarded by military garrisons and administered directly by the Spanish central government.



More tomorrow.

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