| Gibraltar |
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
The territory shares a border with Spain to the north. Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base.
The name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal āriq, meaning "mountain of Tariq", or from Gibel āriq, meaning "rock of Tariq". It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad, who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock.
The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major issue of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain requests the return of sovereignty, ceded by Spain in perpetuity in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht.
The overwhelming majority of Gibraltarians strongly oppose this, along with any proposal of shared sovereignty. |
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| Flag |
Two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band.
The Coat of Arms of Gibraltar were first granted on July 10, 1502 by Isabella of Castile. They are the oldest coat of arms in use in an Overseas territory of the United Kingdom, and unique in that they are they only arms that date from before the period of British colonial administration.
The Arms consist of a shield with a red triple-towered castle on a white background with a golden key dependent from the centre on a red background.
The castle does not resemble any in Gibraltar, but is supposed to represent the fortress of Gibraltar. The key is said to symbolise the fortress' significance. The motto is Montis Insignia Calp, meaning Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar. |
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| Geography |
| Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain. A narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar, the highest point is the Rock of Gibraltar 426 m. Gibraltar has very limited natural freshwater resources; large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water. |
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| Climate |
Gibraltar's climate is relatively temperate. If you're travelling to Gibraltar during winter months pack for lows of around 13º C and highs that could reach 18ºC. Only about 30 percent of winter days are classified as wet and the average Winter temperatures (December to February), are between 15ºC to 16ºC. Spring ( March to May), typically sees these average temperatures rise beween 18ºC to 23ºC.
It is not at all uncommon for residents of The Rock to enjoy up to 90 days straight without rain during the summer months, when the sun shines approximately 10.5 hours daily. Summer lows might reach 13ºC, however most days the temperature will hover between 25ºC - 30ºC. Summer lasts from June to August.
Like neighbouring southern Spain, as autumn progresses temperatures can be very mild, averaging 26ºC in September, 22ºC in October and 18ºC in November.
Two winds embrace the rock, each bringing different meteorological phenomenon. The first comes from the east and brings with it a humidity factor that sometimes crowns the rock with a cloud of it's own. The second, usually coming from the west, brings clear, dry weather. |
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| History |
Evidence of human inhabitation of the Rock dates back to the Neanderthals. A Neanderthal skull was discovered in Forbes' Quarry in 1848, indeed prior to the "original" discovery in the Neander Valley. At a later date, in 1926, the skull of a Neanderthal child was found in Devil's Tower. The Phoenicians are known to have visited the Rock circa 950 BC and named the Rock Calpe.
The Carthaginians also visited, however neither group appears to have settled permanently. Plato refers to Gibraltar as one of the Pillars of Hercules along with Jebel Musa or Monte Hacho on the other side of the Strait.Gibraltar was next visited by the Romans. Again no permanent settlement was established.
Following the fall of the Roman Empire Gibraltar was visited by the Vandals and later the Goths. The Vandals' stay was temporary, however the Goths were to remain on the Iberian peninsula from 414 to 711.
Tariq ibn Ziyad, leader of the Berbers, landed at the southern point of the Rock from present-day Morocco in his quest for Spain. The mountain was named Jebel Tariq (Tariq's mountain).
Over time the final syllable was dropped from the name and corrupted to Gibraltar. Today, Gibraltar is also known colloquially as 'Gib' or 'the Rock'. |
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Little was built during the first four centuries of Moorish control. However in 1160 Abdul Maman ordered that a permanent settlement, including a castle be built. The main tower of this castle remains standing today.
Despite the fortification, the rock was overrun by Spanish forces in 1462. The rock was temporarily owned by the King of Castile, but later taken by the Duke of Medina Sidonia and passed to his son. Queen Isabella of Castile had her army besiege and re-take Gibraltar for the Spanish kingdom in 1501.
An Anglo-Dutch force led by Sir George Rooke seized the Rock in 1704. The territory was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.
Despite early attempts by the Spanish to retake it, most notably in the Great Siege of 1783, the Rock has remained British ever since.
During the Second World War the residents of Gibraltar were evacuated and the Rock was turned into a fortress again.
Gibraltar gave the Allied Powers control of the entry to the Mediterranean (the other side of the Strait being under neutral Spanish territory).
The Rock was a key part of the Allied supply lines to Malta and North Africa, and the racecourse near the border was converted into an airport |
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The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar |
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| In 1954 Queen Elizabeth II visited Gibraltar. This prompted Spain, which was then led by the dictator Generalissimo Franco to renew its claim to sovereignty, which had lain dormant for over one hundred and fifty years. Talks of joint sovereignty between the British and Spanish governments, have been firmly rejected by the people of Gibraltar. |
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| Economy |
| Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 20% of GDP; tourism (almost 6 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. |
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| Map of Gibraltar |
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