Tangier

Tangier, also Tanger (Arabic Tanjah), city, northern Morocco, in Tangier Province, a seaport on a small bay of the Strait of Gibraltar. The city is a shipping center and has few other industries. Tangier was taken (1471) from the Arabs by the Portuguese and given to Charles II of England as part of the dowry from Catherine of Braganza; the English abandoned (1684) the city to the Moors when it became a pirate haunt. Together with a surrounding zone of 360 sq km (140 sq mi), Tangier was temporarily internationalized (1911-1912). A protocol that was signed (1925) by the United Kingdom, France, and Spain provided for permanent security of the city; but in 1929 Spain was given police control, and an international legislative body was established to rule. Spain had full control from 1940 to 1945; international control was resumed in the latter year. The international status of Tangier Zone was abolished in 1956. Population (2004) 669,685.