Gibraltar-- Information, Geography and History

INFORMATION

•  Full name: Gibraltar

•  Capital City: Gibraltar

•  Language: English (official), Spanish

•  Currency: Gibraltar Pound (£)

•  Religion: Christianity, Hindu Indians, Moroccan Muslim, Jewish.

•  National Anthem: God Save the Queen

•  Newspaper: Gibraltar News, Panorama, The Gibraltar Chronicle

•  Places to Visit: Europa Point, Upper Rock Nature Reserve, Gibraltar Museum, Great Siege Tunnels, Trafalgar Cemetery and much more.

• Transport: Avail to and fro flights from London and Luton within the UK. One doesn not get a direct bus transportation to Gibraltar, but the nearest bus station is La Línea which is walking distance to the border. Three ferries in a week sail across from Gibraltar and Tangier, that take about 2 hours.

•  Shopping: Chinese linens, audio-visual gadgets, cigarettes, cigars, spirits, jewellery, watches, porcelain, perfumes and Gibraltar Crystal.

INTRODUCTION

The significance behind the name Gibraltar made its origin from the Arabic word Jabal Tariq that meant mountain of Tariq. It denotes the Moorish assault of Iberia directed by the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad. Lately the present name was colloquially termed as Gib or the Rock. Gibraltar has a historical significance of being the base for the Armed Forces along with the naval services of Britishers. Witness the finest caves nestled in Europe along with glancing through the semi-wild apes that are unique to this region.

LOCATION OF GIBRALTAR

Gibraltar, the UK overseas territory is nestled along the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, beyond the Strait of Gibraltar where the North Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. The place shares common boundaries with Spain from the northern side.

PHYSICAL MAP OF GIBRALTAR

The territory covers a total area space of about 2.53 square miles in Gibraltar. Gibraltar is constituted with two major coasts (sides):

• The East Side comprised of inhabitants of Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay.
• The West Side, where majority of the population reside.

Travel to this densely populated region constituted of a narrow coastal lowland terrain, contiguous along the elevated Rock of Gibraltar. Gibraltar 'Ape' The Rock is formed by limestone sedimentary rock, which has a tunnel inlet, used for the military purpose.

CLIMATE OF GIBRALTAR

The closeness between the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans along with the topography determines the climatic condition of Gibraltar. With relatively temperate kind of weather where one can witness both mild winters and warm summers administrated by the Levanter and Poniente winds that drifts along the Strait from the western and eastern region. The East or Levanter governs the humid season in the state accompanied with a 'Rock Top' cloud or sea fog that hovers along the city skyline.

The months of May to September are usually hot and sultry in nature. Slight amount of down pouring comes along with the winter season that carry a temperature of about 15°C.

Gibraltar and particularly the Strait region are uniquely placed in the western entrance of the Alboran Basin that is defended from the low level air by the Atlas Mountain towards the south, Sierra Nevada towards the northern end.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF GIBRALTAR

The native plants of the region of Gibraltar are palms, jacaranda, lavender, jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle, geraniums and bougainvillea. Among the rarest species mention can be made of Gibraltar Candytuft and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, which is named after the place.

Watch out flying fish soaring above the water on its wings or take a fantastic gaze at the dolphin leaping to entertain you.

Several migratory birds flock along the Gibraltar Rock during the season of spring and autumn. Peregrine Falcons, Blue Rock Thrush and Barbary Partridge, harriers, hoopoes, buzzards and black kytes breed along this place.