Ceuta

Ceuta, a fortified port belonging to Spain, on the coast of Morocco, opposite Gibraltar. The town occupies the site of the Roman colony of Ad Septem Fratres, so called from the seven hills rising here in a group, of which the most prominent are Montes Almina and Hacho; on the latter, the ancient Abyla (one of the Pillars of Hercules), is a strong fort, and on the former, among beautiful gardens, lies the New Town. Ceuta contains a cathedral, a hospital, and convents, but is chiefly of importance as a military and convict station. The harbour is small, and exposed to the north, but has a lighthouse and some small trade. The mixed population number about 12,500. The place was a flourishing mart under the Arabs, who corrupted its Roman name to Sebta; there the first paper manufactory in the Western world is said to have been established by an Arab who had brought the industry from China. In 1415 it was captured by the Portuguese, and annexed to Portugal; it fell to Spain in 1580. It has resisted several sieges by the Moors (1694-1720 and 1732), and is still the most important of the four African Presidios (q.v.).