"Welcome to the Rock" a Gibraltar Travel Page by seagoingJLW

It was absolutely freezing when we were there. And we made the mistake of being on a ship that docked there on a Saturday when all the good jewelry and perfume shops are closed for the Jewish sabbath the first time we went. The second time was a Sunday. Will we ever find the stores open? Here are Irwin and I on the main shopping street.

History

The Rock of Gibraltar, known as the Pillars of Hercules (Calpe or Gibraltar on the European side and Abyla on the African side), marked the limits of civilization in ancient times.In 711 Ad Tariq ibn Ziyad led the Moors in an attack and named the promontory for himself, Jabal al-Tarik. this was corrupted over the centuries into the modern name of Gibraltar. After the Moors were driven out of Spain, Gibraltar became a constant target.

Spain, under Queen Isabella, gained control in 1462. It was formally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713Since then, Gibraltar has withstood 14 sieges and has served as a strategic naval base.

Gibraltar became a Crown Colony in 1830. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the harbor became a major British naval base and supply stop for ships traveling to India. A new constitution, adopted in 1969, giving the House of Assembly more control. The Rock remains under British control, but the struggles continue.

Miscellaneous Information

Gibraltar consists of 6.5 square km bordering the Strait of Gibraltar in southwestern Europe and linking the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers. A narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock.

The population of 27,649 (as of July 2001) consists of Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese and Portuguese. The official language is English, but Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian are also spoken.

The population is 76.9% Roman Catholic, 6.9% Church of England, 6.9% Muslim, 2.3% Jewish and 7% none or other.

Gibraltar is on Central European Time which is GMT+1.

The border with Spain is open 24 hours a day. You have to cross the airport runway to get there. The runway is blocked by gates like a railroad crossing.

Currency is the Gibraltar pound.

Electricity is 240v AC 50hz with a flat 3 pin plug.