1 History

Main article: History of Gibraltar

Evidence of human inhabitation of the Rock dates back to the Neanderthals. A Neanderthal skull was discovered in St. Michael's Cave in the nineteenth century, indeed prior to the "original" discovery in the Neander Valley.

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) (in Arabic جبل طارق). 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'.

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. After the war the residents returned.

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.

2 Politics

Main article: Politics of Gibraltar, see also Gibraltar controversy.

As an overseas territory of the UK, Gibraltar has had considerable internal self-government since the introduction of its present constitution in 1969. The Governor of Gibraltar, appointed by Queen Elizabeth II, is responsible for defence, foreign relations, internal security and financial stability. All other matters, defined as 'domestic', are the responsibility of the Council of Ministers, with the leader of the majority party in the elected House of Assembly appointed as Chief Minister.

The issue of sovereignty continues to dominate Gibraltarian politics. Both main political parties, the Gibraltar Social-Democrats (GSD) and the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) are opposed to any transfer of sovereignty to Spain. Spain continues to claim sovereignty over the terrority, and the British Government, whilst stating that no change would take place without the consent of the people of Gibraltar, in 2002 accepted the principle of joint sovereignty between the United Kingdom and Spain. All Gibraltarian political parties, and the main UK opposition parties oppose this move, instead preferring to support self-determination for the Gibraltarian nation.

(For details on Gibraltar's status in the EU, see Special member state territories and their relations with the EU).

3 Defence

Defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The army garrison is provided by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, originally a part-time reserve force which was placed on the permanent establishment of the British Army in 1990. The regiment includes full-time and part-time soldiers recruited from Gibraltar, as well as British Army regulars posted from other regiments.

The Rock is a listening post for telecommunications throughout North Africa, and because of its location it still remains a key NATO base. British and US ships frequently visit the territory.

4 Geography

The territory covers 6.543 square kilometres (2.53 square miles). It shares a 1.2 kilometre land border with Spain and has 12 kilometres of shoreline. Its climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers. Its terrain is a narrow coastal lowland bordering the 426-metre-high Rock of Gibraltar. It has negligible natural resources and limited natural freshwater resources, until recently using large concrete or natural rock water catchments to collect rain water. It now has a desalination plant soon to be replaced by a reverse osmosis plant (currently operational) built into the rock itself.

Gibraltar is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, with approximately 4,245 people per km² (10,979 per sq mile). The growing demand for space is being increasingly met by land reclamation, which comprises approximately one tenth of the territory's total area.

The Rock itself is made of limestone and is 1,396 feet (426 metres) high. It contains many miles of roads, most of which are closed to the public. Most of its area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 250 Barbary Apes, the only semi-wild monkeys in Europe. It is said that if ever the Apes leave so will the British, so they are well looked after by the government.

5 Economy

Main article: Economy of Gibraltar

The economy is dominated by offshore banking and tourism. Political capital is made of the fact that there are more companies registered in Gibraltar than current inhabitants, however many have ceased trading, indeed Company number 00001, the Gibraltar Gas Company Limited, went out of business some years ago, and today Gibraltar is 'all electric'.

More than 7 million visitors enter Gibraltar each year, and Gibraltar is a popular destination for cruise ships . Tourists are attracted by duty free shopping, and a number of sites located on the Rock itself.

Many Gibraltarians have bought properties across the border, particularly the neighbouring town of La Línea de la Concepción, where property prices are much lower than on the Rock. Although land reclamation in 1991 has lessened the traditionally chronic housing shortage on the Rock, space remains a problem and many of the more affluent Gibraltarians live in Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol, from which they commute into Gibraltar.

The currency is the Pound Sterling. Notes and coins are issued locally, and this currency is referred to internationally as the Gibraltar pound. The ISO 4217 classification GIP. English banknotes and coins circulate freely.

The euro is not legal tender, but most shops, bars and restaurants will take small euro notes and coins, Gibraltar banks will not accept euro-denominated notes of €100 or larger, although bureaux de change may accept and change them.

6 Culture

Main article: Culture of Gibraltar

The culture of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' diverse origins. While there are Spanish and British influences, the ethnic origins of most Gibraltarians are neither British or Spanish, including Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, and Germans. Others are Jewish of Sephardic or North African origin and Hindus.

Historically, cultural ties with Spain have been strong. Intermarriage between Gibraltarian men and Spanish women resulted in many people having relatives in Spain.

British influence remains strong. Although Gibraltarians mostly speak to each other in an English-influenced Spanish dialect called Llanito, English is the language of government, commerce, education and the media. Gibraltarians going on to higher education attend university in the UK, not Spain, as indeed do those requiring medical treatment not available on the Rock

7 Miscellaneous

• Communications in Gibraltar
• Transportation in Gibraltar

8 External links

• Government of Gibraltar including tourist office
• Official Government of Gibraltar London website
• National Symbols
• CIA Factbook [1]
• Gibraltar, the Official Homepage
• Gibraltar, the Unofficial Homepage
• Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation with daily news

Overseas territories of the United Kingdom
Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Anguilla | Bermuda | British Antarctic Territory | British Indian Ocean Territory | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Falkland Islands | Gibraltar | Montserrat | Pitcairn Islands | Saint Helena ( Ascension & Tristan da Cunha) | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | Turks and Caicos Islands

Countries in Europe
Albania | Andorra | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Republic of Macedonia | Malta | Moldova | Monaco | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | San Marino | Serbia and Montenegro | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Vatican City ( Holy See)
Dependencies: Faroe Islands | Gibraltar | Guernsey | Jan Mayen | Jersey | Isle of Man | Svalbard

European countries

Disputed territories European dependencies Gibraltar

<Hide>