Algeciras, situated at the south of the Iberian Peninsula, has waters from both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Its climate is very mild. In fact, its average temperature is 17 degrees centigrade and the area possesses a special luminosity. Its strategic location meant that many civilisations settled in Algeciras throughout history: Iberian, Greek, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, and Arabic. This last period was the most splendid one, when it got the name of Al-Yazira-Al-Hadra, which means Green Island. Almanzor was born there and it became the Taifa kingdom. For the Christians it was the most important place in Andalusia.

In 1906, the assembly hall of its Council hosted the International Conference about Morocco.

Algeciras is the capital of one of the most important regions (cormarcas) of Andalusia, and it is home to the most important port of Spain and the Mediterranean Sea.