Tangier International Zone

The Tangier International Zone (Arabic: منطقة طنجة الدولية Minṭaqat Ṭanja ad-Dawliyya, French: Zone internationale de Tanger, Spanish: Zona Internacional de Tánger) was an international zone in the city of Tangier, Morocco, which existed from 1924 until 1956. It is surrounded by the Spanish protectorate in Morocco.

Tangier International Zone منطقة طنجة الدولية Zone internationale de Tanger Zona Internacional de Tánger
1924–1940 1945–1956
Flag
Map of Tangier and the International Zone
Status	International Zone
Capital	Tangier
Common languages	French, Arabic, Berber, Portuguese, Dutch, Haketia, Spanish
Religion	Islam, Christianity, Judaism
Administrator
• 1924–1926	Paul Alberge
• 1929–1940	Pierre Le Fur
• 1945–1948	Luís Magalhães Correia
• 1948–1951	Henri van Vredenburch
• 1955–1956	Robert van de Kerchove d'Hallebast
History
• Established	14 May 1924
• Spanish occupation	14 June 1940 – 11 October 1945
• Disestablished	7 April 1956
Currency	Moroccan franc
Preceded by Succeeded by 1924 Spanish Protectorate of Morocco 1945 Spanish Protectorate of Morocco 1940 Spanish Protectorate of Morocco 1956 Kingdom of Morocco
Today part of	Morocco

History

In 1904, Morocco got divided into three areas controlled by different countries: one by France, one by Spain, and a part called Tangier was made into a special zone. This idea of making Tangier an international zone started because of something called "capitulations." These were agreements that Morocco's rulers, like the sultans, made with foreigners to promise religious freedom and legal protection. Spain had a big say in this plan because it wanted control over parts of Morocco's coast. France and Great Britain also wanted Tangier to stay neutral during wars.

However, Tangier didn't become an international zone until 1923. At that time, it was officially made a neutral area where no military actions were allowed. It was governed by eight Western countries. From 1923 to 1956, when Morocco became independent, Tangier had a special international status. People from different countries and backgrounds, like French, American, Italian, Spanish, Belgian, English, and Dutch, as well as Arabs, Berbers, and Jews, could live there peacefully.