The only places in mainland Africa where the Euro is official currency are in territories of this nation
The Final Jeopardy clue for Thursday, June 18, 2026, appeared in the category “Around the World” and read: “The only places in mainland Africa where the euro is official currency are in territories of this nation.” The clue points to two Spanish territories on the northern coast of Africa, where European Union currency is used despite their location on the African mainland.
Contents
What Is Spain?
The correct response is Spain. The clue refers to Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish autonomous cities located on the North African coast. Though they are geographically in mainland Africa, they are politically part of Spain.
Because they are Spanish territories, the euro is their official currency. This makes them the only places on mainland Africa where the euro is used as official currency, which is the key fact behind the clue.
Ceuta and Melilla’s Unique Geography
Ceuta sits on the northern coast of Africa near the Strait of Gibraltar, across from southern Spain. Melilla is farther east, also on the Mediterranean coast, bordering Morocco.
Their geography makes them unusual. They are on the African continent, but they are governed by Spain and have long-standing political, cultural, and administrative ties to Europe. That combination is what makes the clue work.
Why the Euro Is Used There
Spain adopted the euro as its currency along with other members of the eurozone. Since Ceuta and Melilla are part of Spain, they use the same currency as the rest of the country.
That creates an unusual situation in global geography. A person can be standing on mainland Africa while using the euro as the official currency, not because of a separate African state’s monetary policy, but because the territory is Spanish.
The Broader Context
Ceuta and Melilla are often discussed because of their position at the border between Europe and Africa. They are Spanish territories surrounded by Morocco, and their borders are among the few land borders between Africa and the European Union.
Their status has made them significant in discussions of migration, trade, security, and sovereignty. For this clue, however, the most important point is simpler: they are Spanish territories, and Spain uses the euro.
Why This Final Jeopardy Clue Works
This clue works because it turns a currency fact into a geography question. Contestants needed to think of places in mainland Africa that are not independent African countries, but territories of a European nation.
The correct response, Spain, fits every part of the clue. Ceuta and Melilla are located in mainland Africa, they are Spanish territories, and the euro is official currency there because they are part of Spain.
