evidence: Las plazas de soberanía española en el Mediterráneo [...] However, apart from the typical cities of Ceuta and Melilla, what other enclaves in the Mediterranean are under Spanish control? These enclaves, known as ''plazas de soberanía'' or "sovereign strongholds", are the islands and rocks off the coast of North Africa, which continue to be maintained due to their enormous geostrategic importance. These are: The Chafarinas Islands, the Alborán Island, the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, the Alhucemas Islands and the Perejil Island. But since when, how and why do they belong to the Spanish state? The Constitution makes no reference to these territories, except for the so called "major places of sovereignty" - Ceuta and Melilla -, the rest are not mentioned in the Statutes of Autonomy. Except for the Alborán Island, which belongs to the municipality of Almeria, the other territories are in a "legal limbo". On his side, Morocco relentlessly claims the sovereignty over these enclaves, included the two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.