"Welcome to the Rock" Gibraltar by seagoingJLW

Gibraltar Travel Guide: 1,351 reviews and 2,221 photos

The Pillars of Hercules

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.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Interesting. Good shopping.
Cons:The main street crosses the airport runway.
In a nutshell:Enjoy wandering around

Last visit to Gibraltar: Nov 2001
Intro Updated Apr 4, 2004
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Reviews (12)

Ships in Limbo Local Customs (2)

It was sad to see all the Renaissance ships lined up in drydock. more travel advice

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Restaurants (1)
Gibraltar Cuisine
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Travelogues (3)

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Comments (8)

gibraltarian May 30, 2007 at 3:49 AM Report Abuse

im sorry to say fish and chips arent a staple diet for gibraltarians, whatever gave you that impression? meat, fish, all fresh, vegetables and fruit, a typical mediterenean diet, and were did you take that picture from because it looks cheap and nasty,
MacKiwi Jun 5, 2002 at 6:31 AM Report Abuse

Yummy lookin mixed grill!!
eden_teuling May 19, 2002 at 10:54 AM Report Abuse

thanks Joan for this fine texts&photos!
Gili_S Feb 4, 2002 at 12:43 PM Report Abuse

Nice work on the beautiful page.
katlau Jan 24, 2002 at 1:00 AM Report Abuse

Good info!
patrikske Dec 21, 2001 at 11:58 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful Gibraltar page, Joan !
bonio Dec 14, 2001 at 2:02 PM Report Abuse

interesting, hoping to visit soon!
Krystynn Dec 25, 2000 at 12:13 PM Report Abuse

Ah, memories! Merry Christmas, Joan! ;-)