Alboran Island, Mediterranean island in Almería, Spain
Alboran Island is a small volcanic landmass in the Alboran Sea between Spain and Morocco. It features an automated lighthouse system and falls under the administration of Almería city council.
Spanish forces captured the island in 1540 from Tunisian pirates and established control that remains today. During the Cold War, the military presence strengthened due to Soviet interests in the region.
The Spanish Navy maintains a garrison on the island, continuing a military presence that began as a response to Soviet interests in the 1960s.
The island remains difficult to visit as it functions as a military base with restricted access. Visitors can best view it from the sea when traveling between the Spanish or Moroccan mainland.
Scientists discovered a new mineral called alboranite on this island in 1899, which occurs nowhere else. This finding made the location significant for geologists and mineral researchers worldwide.
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