Amanda Anderson, age 14, of Miami, Fla., for her question:

IS TANGIER AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY?

Tangier is a region on the Atlantic coast that also includes the city of Tangier. Tangier became a part of Morocco after Morocco gained its independence from France and Spain in 1956.

Portugal, Spain and England held Tangier at different times from the 1400s until the late 1600s when the Moors gained control. The moors held the city until 1924 but granted special privileges to several European countries.

In 1925, an international zone was established under the control of leading world powers. Spanish forces occupied Tangier during World War II.

In 1945, Tangier regained its international status but that lasted only until 1956. In 1956, the sultan of Morocco called a conference of the nine nations that formerly controlled Tangier. They voted to end Tangier 's international status and to give up most of their former rights in the area.

Tangier, also spelled Tanger, covers 135 square miles between the sea and the Rif Mountains. The city of Tangier is in this area and it lies opposite Gibraltar at the Western opening to the Mediterrean Sea.