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GIBRALTAR
Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United
Kingdom. It is located in southwestern Europe adjoining the southern coast
of Spain, a strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar that links the
North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
History
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 discovery of 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 ??? ????). 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, 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.
Politics
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.
Geography
The territory covers 6.5 square kilometres. 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.
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.
Economy
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 in an 'all electric' world.
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.
Culture
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
Transportation in Gibraltar
Gibraltar has a large car population, in spite of its small size, with as
many motor vehicles as people. Uniquely among British overseas territories,
traffic in Gibraltar drives on the right, as it shares a land border with
Spain. Originally it started with the left, but fearing accidents it was
changed. Gibraltar country plates use the GBZ designation, and Gibraltar
number plates consist of the letter G followed by a number.
Railways:
total: 0 km;
Highways:
total: 49.9 km
paved: 49.9 km
unpaved: 0 km
Pipelines:
0 km
Ports and harbors:
Gibraltar
Merchant marine:
total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 477,183 GRT/752,644 DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 4,
multi-functional large load carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 13,
roll-on/roll-off 2 (1999 est.)
Airports:
1
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
The airport is built on the isthmus which the Spanish Government claim this
not to have been ceded in the Treaty of Utrecht, the integration of
Gibraltar Airport in the European single sky system, has been blocked by
Spain. The 1987 agreement for joint control of the airport with Spain was
rejected by the then Government of Gibraltar. All successive Gibraltar
Governments have rejected it, although welcoming joint use of the airport.
This offer has not been accepted.
Spain also bans ferry and air services to and from Gibraltar. For a few
months in 2004 Spain banned cruise ships which had visited Gibraltar from
going to Spanish ports on the same journey. Motorists and sometimes
pedestrians crossing the border are randomly subjected to long delays and
searches.
In 2003 the land frontier was closed for a day by Spain on the grounds that
a visiting cruise liner was affected by contagious food poisioning.
Subsequently, no cases in Gibraltar were reported.
Bus routes:
total:5
Buses run to most areas of the territory apart from the Upper Rock, which is
a nature reserve. One bus company runs four routes, a second company runs
one. Buses run regularly from the frontier/airport area to the city centre.
Taxis
Taxis are available around the Rock. Many cater specifically offer tours of
the Upper Rock nature reserve. These can be picked up from the frontier or
the city centre.
Cable car
A cable car runs from just south of the city centre to the Ape's Den and the
Top of the Rock, which despite its name is actually the second highest peak
of the Rock.
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