Peñón de Alhucemas

Peñón de Alhucemas, or Lavender Rock, is one of the Spanish territories on Morocco or 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 disputed islet of Isla Perejil.

Peñón de Alhucemas and the islets of Isla de Mar and Isla de Tierra slightly to the west from the Alhucemas Islands. They are located 300 m (984 mi) off the Moroccan village of Sanjurjo, 155 km (96 mi) east of Ceuta and 100 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 has been totally built 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.

The islands' history dates back to 1559 when several parts of Morocco were given to Spain in order to help defending it against Turk armies. In 1673, Spain sent a garrison to the island of Peñón de Alhucemas and the place has been permanently occupied since. Nowadays, the fort which is built on it hosts a 60 man Spanish military garnison.

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

Spanish sovereignty over the islands has by contested by Morocco since its independence.