The aggregate land area of the group of three islands is 4.6 ha or 0.046 square kilometres (0.018 sq mi).

The islands are also located near the landing place the Spanish and French expeditionary forces used in 1925 during the Rif War.

In 2012 the Spanish military garrison in the fort on Peñón de Alhucemas comprised an infantry section of 25–30 men from the 32nd Mixed Artillery Regiment, plus personnel from the marine services with an inflatable boat for reaching supply vessels.

[1] On 29 August 2012, 19 sub-Saharan immigrants traversed the short expanse of water between Morocco and the Isla de Tierra.

[3] The handling and deportation of these individuals have been criticized by the Ombudsman of the Spanish Parliament, the Defensor del Pueblo, and by various NGOs and organizations.