Inside St. Michael

• Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on the southern coast of Spain at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.
• The people of Gibraltar are British Citizens.
• Gibraltar’s official language is English. Spanish and Llanito are also spoken.
• Once an important base for the British Armed Forces, Gibraltar now plays host to the Royal Navy.
• The territory derives its name from Jabal Târiq, an Arabic word that means ‘Mountain of Tariq’. Jabal Târiq refers to the Rock of Gibraltar, which was named after Tariq ibn-Ziyad, a Berber Umayyad General.
• Its terrain consists of the 430-metre (1,411 ft) high Rock of Gibraltar and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it.
• The population is concentrated on the western side with a small village on the east side, Catalan Bay

HISTORY

• Gibraltar didn’t come under Spanish rule till the early 14th century and then for just 24 years. Then in 1462 the Spaniards finally recaptured the Rock and held it until the beginning of the 18th century.

FACTS

• Gibraltar consists of a long limestone mountain, which has as many as 140 caves. Its highest point is at 426 m.
• The Strait of Gibraltar links the Mediterranean Sea with the North Atlantic Ocean.
• The evidence of human habitation in Gibraltar has been traced to as far back as Neanderthal man.
• It is believed that modern humans migrated to Gibraltar, from Africa, around 100,000-70,000 years ago.
• Gibraltar was visited by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans, in the past.
• An Arab army, under the leadership of Tariq Ibn Ziyad, annexed Gibraltar in 711. It was then that it came to be known as Jebel Tariq – the Mountain of Tariq.
• In Gibraltar, the British monarch is Chief of State. He/she appoints a Governor and Commander-in-Chief, as local representatives.
• Gibraltar practices self-governance in all the areas, except defence and foreign policy.
• Gibraltarians are British citizens and most of them want to stay that way.
• In 1967 and 2002, the people of Gibraltar voted to remain a British dependency.

Gibraltar Ape

• Youth Hostel – bed in the dorm is £17. They also charge for washing clothes £5 and for the wireless internet £5
• Bed and Breakfast/small Hotel – Single room and breakfast for £24.50
• Hotel – a single room starts at £60 per night, double is £70, if you want room with a sea view, you have to pay extra.

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Parsons Lodge

• Gibraltar has a low crime rate and a large and efficient police force modeled on the British system to make sure it stays that way.
• Although Gibraltar is a very safe and friendly destination, it is always advisable for foreign tourists to exercise basic precautionary measures just as they would at home.

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Port of Gibraltar

• The climate of Gibraltar is Mediterranean/Subtropical with mild winters and warm summers.
• There are two main prevailing winds, an easterly one known as the Levante coming from the Sahara in Africa which brings humid weather and warmer sea currents, and the other as Poniente which is westerly and brings fresher air and colder sea.
• Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summers are generally dry.
• Its average annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F).
• The coldest month is January and the warmest month is August.

The Rock, Highest Point in Gibraltar

Europa Point

• Where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and from which the coast of Africa can be seen

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Upper Rock

• Military installation, and nature reserve where the famous monkeys live (Barbary Macaques)

St Michael’s Cave

• An impressive natural grotto used by the Neolithic inhabitants of the Rock

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Siege Tunnels

• A system of tunnels dug during the Great Siege which acted as a defense system

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Dolphin Watching

• Short trips in the bay (several times a day) – there are plenty of playful dolphins to see

Gibraltar Museum

• The Gibraltar Museum is centrally located within the City of Gibraltar.
• The Gibraltar Museum was officially opened on July 23rd, 1930 by the then Governor, Sir Alexander Godley.
• The galleries cover a wide range of subjects, from the geological origins of the Rock in the Jurassic Period around 200 million years ago to the present day.
• At the start of the Museum visit you are introduced to the unique history of this Rock through a 15-minute film presentation entitled The Jurassic Rock.

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