Islas Chafarinas is a group of three small islands located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Morocco, 48 km (30 mi) to the east of Melilla and 3.5 km (2.17 mi) off the Moroccan town of Ra'su l-Ma'. Islas Chafarinas are one of the Spanish territories on North Africa off the Moroccan coast (Plazas de soberanía), along with the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the islands of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and Peñón de Alhucemas, and the small disputed islet of Isla Perejil.
Islas Chafarinas are made up of 3 islands: Isla del Congreso, Isla de Isabel II and Isla del Rey. Under Spanish control since 1847, there is a 190 man military garrison on Isla del Congreso.
