Tangier International Zone

The **Tangier International Zone** ( _Minṭaqat Ṭanja ad-Dawliyya_, , ) was an international zone in the city of Tangier, Morocco, which existed from 1924 until 1956. It was surrounded by the Spanish protectorate in 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, 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.

In 1956 the now independent Morocco annexed Tangier.

## Infobox (country)

- **conventional long name**: Tangier International Zone
- **common name**: Tangier
- **native name**:

- **image flag**: Merchant flag of International Tangier.svg
- **image map**: Tangier Zone txu-oclc-6949452-ni30-1.jpg
- **capital**: Tangier
- **religion**: Islam, Christianity, Judaism
- **currency**: Moroccan franc
- **status**: Special territory under nominal sovereignty by King of Morocco _sui generis_
- **status text**: International zone, International Zone
- **year end**: 1956
- **life span**: 1924–1940
1945–1956
- **year start**: 1924
- **image map caption**: Map of Tangier and the International Zone
- **common languages**: French language, French, Arabic, Berber languages, Berber, Portuguese language, Portuguese, Dutch language, Dutch, Haketia, Spanish language, Spanish
- **title representative**: List of administrators of the Tangier International Zone, Administrator
- **year representative1**: 1924–1926
- **representative1**: Paul Alberge
- **year representative2**: 1929–1940
- **representative2**: Pierre Le Fur
- **year representative3**: 1945–1948
- **representative3**: Luís Magalhães Correia
- **year representative4**: 1948–1951
- **representative4**: Henri van Vredenburch
- **year representative5**: 1955–1956
- **representative5**: Robert van de Kerchove d'Hallebast
- **event start**: Established
- **date start**: 14 May
- **event1**: Spanish occupation of Tangier (1940–1945), Spanish occupation
- **date event1**: 14 June 1940 – 11 October 1945
- **date end**: 7 April
- **p1**: Spanish protectorate in Morocco**1924**
Spanish Protectorate of Morocco
- **s1**: Spanish protectorate in Morocco**1940**
Spanish Protectorate of Morocco
- **flag p1**: Merchant_flag_of_Spanish_Morocco.svg
- **flag p2**: Merchant_flag_of_Spanish_Morocco.svg
- **p2**: Spanish protectorate in Morocco**1945**
Spanish Protectorate of Morocco
- **flag s1**: Merchant_flag_of_Spanish_Morocco.svg
- **flag s2**: Flag of Morocco.svg
- **s2**: Morocco**1956**
Kingdom of Morocco
- **today**: Morocco