- Political status: Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain.
- Location: It is situated on the northern coast of Africa, opposite mainland Spain.
- Water body: It lies on the Mediterranean Sea, near the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.
- Land border: Ceuta shares its only land border with Morocco.
- European Union: It is part of Spain and the European Union, but it is outside the Schengen Area under special arrangements.
- Strategic importance: Along with Melilla, Ceuta is one of Spain’s two autonomous territories in North Africa and is strategically important for migration, maritime security, and Spain–Morocco relations.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. With reference to Ceuta, consider the following statements:
- Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain located on the African continent.
- It shares a land border with Morocco.
- It is located on the Atlantic coast of Africa.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation
- Statement 1: Correct. Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain located in North Africa.
- Statement 2: Correct. It shares its only land border with Morocco.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Ceuta is located on the Mediterranean coast, near the Strait of Gibraltar, not on the Atlantic coast.
