Gibraltar
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti  (Latin) "No enemy shall expel us". List of flags of GibraltarThe Flag of Gibraltar is an elongated banner of the Coat of arms of Gibraltar, granted by Royal Warrant Queen Isabella of Castile The coat of arms of Gibraltar was first granted by a Royal Warrant passed in Toledo on July 10, 1502 by Isabella of Castile A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. 1
Anthem: Gibraltar Anthem Royal anthem: God Save the Queen
Capital (and largest city)		Gibraltar 36°8′N, 5°21′W
Official languages		English
Unofficial languages Vernacular		Spanish Llanito
Ethnic groups		Gibraltarian (of mixed Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese and Andalusian descent), other British, Moroccan and Indian
Demonym		Gibraltarian
Government		British Overseas Territory
-	Head of state	Queen Elizabeth II
-	Governor	Robert Fulton
-	Chief Minister	Peter Caruana
Event		Date
-	Captured	4th August 1704
-	Ceded	11th April 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht)
-	National Day	10th September
-	Constitution Day	29th January
Area
-	Total	6.8 km² (229th) 2. A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's Gibraltar retains as its official anthem God Save the Queen in common with the other British Overseas Territories. A royal anthem is a patriotic song much like a National anthem but specifically praising or praying for a Monarch or royal dynasty "God Save the Queen", or "God Save the King", is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms It is the National The Demographics of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' racial and cultural fusion of the many European immigrants who came to The Rock over three hundred An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States See also Demographics of Gibraltar Llanito See also Llanito Llanito (jɑˈnito or) is an Andalusian Spanish based Vernacular refers to the Native language of a country or a locality Llanito (jɑˈnito or) or Yanito is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular spoken The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English The Maltese people or Maltese are a Southern European Nation and Ethnic group native to Malta, an island nation consisting of an archipelago The Portuguese people (os Portugueses literally the Portuguese) are the Ethnic group or Nation native to the country of Portugal, in the west The Andalusians are an Ethnic group or Nation in Spain centered in Andalusia. British people, or Britons, are the native inhabitants of Great Britain and their descendants or citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Berber, Arab or mixed Arab-Berber stock India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The Governor of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom 's overseas territory of Gibraltar. See also Politics of Gibraltar Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton KBE, RM (born 1948 is a British Royal Marines The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party in the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative Peter Richard Caruana QC (born 15 October 1956) is a Gibraltar politician and has been Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 1996 This article details the history of Gibraltar. Prehistoric Evidence of hominid inhabitation of the Rock dates back to the Neanderthals A Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1704 ( MDCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a This article details the history of Gibraltar. Prehistoric Evidence of hominid inhabitation of the Rock dates back to the Neanderthals A Year 1713 ( MDCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Treaty of Utrecht that established the Peace of Utrecht, rather than a single document comprised a series of individual peace treaties signed in the Dutch Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar Constitution Day is a Holiday to honor the Constitution of a country Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To aid in the comparison of sizes of different geographic regions areas between 1  Km² (100 Hectares and 10 km² (1000 hectares are listed below This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. 6 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0%
Population
-	Jan 2008 estimate	28,875 (207th)
-	Density	4,290/km² (5th) 11,154/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2005 estimate
-	Total	$1066 million (197th)
-	Per capita	$38,200 (n/a)
HDI (n/a)		n/a (n/a) (n/a)
Currency		Gibraltar pound £2 (GIP)
Time zone		CET (UTC+1)
-	Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Internet TLD		.gi3
Calling code		[[+3504]]
Patron saint		Bernard of Clairvaux & Our Lady of Europe
1	National Symbols of Gibraltar
2	Pegged with UK pound sterling at par. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The pound ( Currency sign: £; banking code: GIP) is the currency of Gibraltar. See also Pound (currency.The pound sign (" £ " or " ₤ " is the symbol for the Pound sterling —the currency of the ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established Central European Time ( CET) is one of the names of the Time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. Daylight saving time ( DST Central European Summer Time ( CEST) is one of the names of UTC+2 Time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members Bernard of Clairvaux, OCist ( 1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order This ecumenical article is about general Christian views on and veneration of the Virgin Mary The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Coins and notes issued by the Government of Gibraltar.
3	The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union members. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
4	Before February 10, 2007, 9567 from Spain. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Gibraltar (IPA: /dʒɨˈbrɒltər/) is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra The Strait of Gibraltar ( Arabic: مضيق جبل طارق Spanish: Estrecho de Gibraltar) is the Strait that connects the Atlantic The territory shares a border with Spain to the north. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base. The Armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service)

The name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal Tāriq (جبل طارق), meaning "mountain of Tariq". Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language ^[1] It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad, under the orders of Caliph Al-Walid I who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711. The Rock of Gibraltar (sometimes called the Pillar of Hercules or by its Latin name Calpe) is a Monolithic Limestone Promontory Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. Tariq Ibn Ziyad or Taric bin Zeyad (طارق بن زياد d 720 known in Spanish history and legend as Taric el Tuerto (Taric the one-eyed was Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik ( الوليد بن عبد الملك or Al-Walid I (668 - 715 was a wise and powerful Umayyad Caliph who ruled from 705 The Umayyad conquest of Hispania ( 711 – 718) began as an army of the Umayyad Caliphate consisting largely of Berbers inhabitants Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. The Pillars of Hercules was the phrase that was applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock.

A one-year investigation and analysis of 235 countries and territories by Jane’s Country Risk listed Gibraltar as the top stable and prosperous British Territory, in 5th position overall. ^[2]

Gibraltar was ceded by Spain to Great Britain in perpetuity in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht though Spain requests its return. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The Treaty of Utrecht that established the Peace of Utrecht, rather than a single document comprised a series of individual peace treaties signed in the Dutch The British Government has stated it is committed to respecting the wishes of the Gibraltarians^[3], who strongly oppose the idea of annexation along with any proposal for shared sovereignty with Spain. The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, ^[4][5]

Contents 1 History 2 Politics 3 Geography 3.1 Flora and fauna 3.2 Climate 4 Subdivisions 5 Economy 5.1 Currency 6 Demographics 7 Religion 8 Language 9 Education 9.1 Schools 9.2 Higher education 10 Health care 10.1 General hospitals 10.2 Primary health care centres 10.3 Mental hospitals 11 Culture 11.1 Cuisine 11.2 Music 11.3 National Day 11.4 Tercentenary 12 Sport 13 Transport 14 Communications 15 Military 16 Death on the Rock 17 Gibraltar in popular culture 18 Notable people from Gibraltar 19 Twin towns 20 References 21 External links 21.1 Maps 21.2 General information 21.3 Culture 21.4 Television, Radio and New media 21.5 Newspapers with online editions 21.6 Image galleries

History

Main article: History of Gibraltar

See also: Military history of Gibraltar during World War II, History of the Jews in Gibraltar, and History of the Maltese in Gibraltar

There is evidence of human habitation in Gibraltar going as far back as Neanderthal man, an extinct species of the Homo genus. This article details the history of Gibraltar. Prehistoric Evidence of hominid inhabitation of the Rock dates back to the Neanderthals A The Military history of Gibraltar during World War II exemplifies Gibraltar 's position as a British fortress since the early 18th century and as a vital There has been a Jewish presence in Gibraltar for more than 650 years A Maltese community has existed in Gibraltar since shortly after the British conquest in 1704 The Neanderthal (neɪˈændərtɑːl also with /niː-/ and /-θɔːl/ or Neandertal, is an extinct member of the Homo genus that is known from Homo is the Genus that includes modern humans and their close relatives The first historical people known to have settled there were the Phoenicians around 950 BC. Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun Semi-permanent settlements were later established by the Carthaginians and Romans. Carthage (Καρχηδών Karkhēdōn, Carthago from the Phoenician קרת חדשת phn-Latn Qart-ḥadašt meaning new town) refers Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals, and would later form part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania until its collapse due to the Muslim conquest in 711 AD. The Visigothic kingdom was a Western European power from the fifth to eighth century one of the Successor states to the Western Roman Empire, originally Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar The Umayyad conquest of Hispania ( 711 – 718) began as an army of the Umayyad Caliphate consisting largely of Berbers inhabitants At that time, Gibraltar was named as one of the Pillars of Hercules, after the legend of the creation of the Straits of Gibraltar. The Pillars of Hercules was the phrase that was applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar ( Arabic: مضيق جبل طارق Spanish: Estrecho de Gibraltar) is the Strait that connects the Atlantic

On April 30, 711, the Umayyad general Tariq ibn Ziyad led a Berber-dominated army across the Strait from Ceuta. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Events By Place Europe April 30 — Ummayad troops led by Tariq ibn Ziyad land at Gibraltar, and begin Tariq Ibn Ziyad or Taric bin Zeyad (طارق بن زياد d 720 known in Spanish history and legend as Taric el Tuerto (Taric the one-eyed was Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain located on the Mediterranean, on the North African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, which He first attempted to land at Algeciras but failed. Algeciras - Arabic: الجزيرة الخضراء is a port city in the south of Spain, and is the largest urban area on the Bay of Gibraltar Subsequently, he landed undetected at the southern point of the Rock from present-day Morocco in his quest for Spain. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa Little was built during the first four centuries of Moorish control. The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent

The first permanent settlement was built by the Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min, who ordered the construction of a fortification on the Rock, the remains of which are still present. The Almohad Dynasty (From Arabic الموحدون al-Muwahhidun, i Abd al-Mu'min (1094-1163 (‏عبد المؤمن بن علي was the first Amir of the Almohad Empire. Gibraltar would later become part of the Kingdom of Granada until 1309, when it would be briefly occupied by Castilian troops. In 1333, it was conquered by the Marinids who had invaded Muslim Spain. The Anglicised name used for this article derives from the Arabic Banu Marin (also Benī Merīn, which is the source of the Spanish name The Marinids ceded Gibraltar to the Kingdom of Granada in 1374. Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. Finally, it was reconquered definitively by the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1462, ending 750 years of Moorish control. The Reconquista (a Spanish and Portuguese word for "Reconquest" Arabic: الاسترداد, "Recapturing" was a period The Dukes of Medina Sidonia are Grandees of Spain, holding the oldest dukedom in the Kingdom and were once the most prominent magnate family of the Andalusian

In the initial years under Medina Sidonia, Gibraltar was granted sovereignty as a home to a population of exiled Sephardic Jews. Spanish and Portuguese Jews are a distinctive sub-group of Sephardim who have their main ethnic origins within the crypto-Jewish communities of the Iberian Pedro de Herrera, a Jewish converso from Córdoba who had led the conquest of Gibraltar, led a group of 4,350 Jews from Córdoba and Seville to establish themselves in the town. Pedro de Herrera was a Spanish politician known for his role in the reconquest of Gibraltar and for leading a community of Sefardic Jews who settled for Conversos ( Spanish and Portuguese for "a convert" from Latin conversus, "converted turned around" and its feminine form ||-||-||} Córdoba ( Cordova in English is a City in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Seville ( Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic cultural and financial capital of southern Spain. A community was built and a garrison established to defend the peninsula. However, this lasted only three years. In 1476, the Duke of Medina Sidonia realigned with the Spanish Crown; the Sefardim were then forced back to Córdoba and the Spanish Inquisition. Sephardi Jews ( Hebrew: ספרדי, Standard Səfardi Tiberian Səp̄arədî; plural The term Inquisition can refer to any one of several institutions charged with trying and convicting heretics within the Roman Catholic Church and In 1501 Gibraltar passed under the hands of the Spanish Crown, which had been established in 1479. Gibraltar was granted its coat of arms by a Royal Warrant passed in Toledo by Isabella of Castile in 1501. The coat of arms of Gibraltar was first granted by a Royal Warrant passed in Toledo on July 10, 1502 by Isabella of Castile History The earliest recorded British Royal Charter was granted to the Weavers’ Company in 1155 by Henry II of England. Toledo Spain locationpng|thumb|right|200px|Location of Toledo in Spain

The naval Battle of Gibraltar took place on April 25, 1607 during the Eighty Years' War when a Dutch fleet surprised and engaged a Spanish fleet anchored at the Bay of Gibraltar. The naval Battle of Gibraltar took place on 25 April 1607 during the Eighty Years' War when a Dutch fleet surprised and engaged a Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. The Dutch Revolt, Eighty Years' War or the Revolt of the Netherlands (1568—1648 was the revolt of the Seventeen Provinces in the Low Countries During the four-hour action, the entire Spanish fleet was destroyed.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, British and Dutch troops, allies of Archduke Charles, the Austrian pretender to the Spanish Crown, formed a confederate fleet and attacked various towns on the southern coast of Spain. In the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 several European powers combined to stop French succession to the Spanish throne and what would likely have been a resulting Charles VI (German Karl VI) ( October 1, 1685 &ndash October 20, 1740) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia On 4 August 1704, after six hours of bombardment starting at 5 a. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1704 ( MDCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a m. , the confederate fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir George Rooke assisted by Field Marshal Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt comprising some 1800 Dutch and British marines captured the town of Gibraltar and claimed it in the name of the Archduke Charles. For other meanings see Field Marshal (disambiguation Field marshal is a military officer rank Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt ( Darmstadt 1669 - Barcelona September 13 1705) was a Fieldmarshal in the Austrian army and Terms of surrender ^[6] were agreed upon, after which much of the population chose to leave Gibraltar peacefully.

Franco-Spanish troops failed to retake the town, and British sovereignty over Gibraltar was subsequently recognised by the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the war. The Treaty of Utrecht that established the Peace of Utrecht, rather than a single document comprised a series of individual peace treaties signed in the Dutch In this treaty, Spain ceded Gibraltar (Article X) and Minorca (article XI) to the United Kingdom in perpetuity. Minorca ( Catalan and Spanish: Menorca; from Latin Balearis Minor, later Minorica "minor island" is one of the Great Britain has retained sovereignty over the former ever since, despite all attempts by Spain to recapture it.

Due to military incursions by Spain various fortifications were established and occupied by British troops in the area which came to be known as "the British Neutral Ground. " This was the area to the north of Gibraltar, militarily conquered and continuously occupied by the British except during time of war. (The sovereignty of this area, which today contains the airport, cemetery, a number of housing estates and the sports centre, is separately disputed by Spain.)

During the American Revolution, the Spanish, who had entered the conflict against the British, imposed a stringent blockade against Gibraltar as part of an unsuccessful siege (the Great Siege of Gibraltar) that lasted for more than three years, from 1779 to 1783. The Gibraltar territory nowadays contains an long section of the Isthmus that links the Rock with mainland Spain In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War On 14 September 1782, the British destroyed the floating batteries of the French and Spanish besiegers, and in February 1783 the signing of peace preliminaries ended the siege. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Year 1782 ( MDCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ^[7]

Gibraltar subsequently became an important naval base for the Royal Navy and played an important part in the Battle of Trafalgar. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October 1805) was a historic sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the Its strategic value increased with the opening of the Suez Canal, as it controlled the important sea route between the UK and colonies such as India and Australia. The Suez Canal is a Canal in Egypt. Opened in 1869 it allows Water transportation between Europe and Asia without circumnavigation For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. During World War II, the civilian residents of Gibraltar were evacuated, and the Rock was turned into a fortress. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including An airfield was built over the civilian racecourse. Guns on Gibraltar controlled the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, but plans by Nazi Germany to capture the Rock, codenamed Operation Felix, later named Llona, were frustrated by Spain's reluctance to allow the German Army onto Spanish soil and the excessive price Franco placed on his aid. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Operation Felix was the codename for a proposed German seizure of Gibraltar during World War II. Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 Germany's Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr, also helped by filing a pointedly negative assessment of the options. Wilhelm Franz Canaris ( January 1, 1887 &ndash April 9, 1945) was a German Admiral and head of the Abwehr The Abwehr was a German intelligence organization from 1921 to 1944 Canaris was a leader of the German high command resistance to Hitler, and tipped off Franco who erected concrete barriers on roads leading to the Pyrenees. ^[8]

In the 1950s, Spain, then under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, renewed its claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar, sparked in part by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Rock's capture. Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde (born December 4, 1892 in Ferrol, died November 20, 1975 in Madrid For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II For the next thirty years, Spain restricted movement between Gibraltar and Spain, in application of one of the articles of the Treaty. A referendum was held on September 10, 1967, in which Gibraltar's voters were asked whether they wished to either pass under Spanish sovereignty, or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-government. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of continuance of British sovereignty, with 12,138 to 44 voting to reject Spanish sovereignty. This led to the granting of autonomous status in May 1969 , which the Government of Spain strongly opposed. In response, the following month Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links. ^[9]

The border with Spain was partially reopened in 1982, and fully reopened in 1985 prior to Spain's accession into the European Community. The European Community (EC is one of the Three pillars of the European Union (EU created under the Maastricht Treaty (1992 Joint talks on the future of the Rock held between Spain and the United Kingdom have occurred since the late 1980s, with various proposals for joint sovereignty discussed. However, another referendum organised in Gibraltar in 2002 rejected the idea of joint sovereignty by 17,900 (98. 97%) votes to 187 (1. 03%). The British Government restated that, in accordance with the preamble of the constitution of Gibraltar, the "UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. " The question of Gibraltar continues to affect British-Spanish relations.

In 1981 it was announced that the honeymoon for the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Diana Spencer would start from Gibraltar. The Spanish Government responded that King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia had declined their invitation to the ceremony as an act of protest. ^[10]

In 1988, SAS troops shot and killed three members of the IRA who were planning an attack on the British Army band. The Special Air Service ( SAS) is a Special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model and inspiration for the special The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the The ensuing "Death on the Rock" controversy prompted a major political row in the UK.

2006 saw representatives of the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Spain conclude talks in Córdoba, Spain, a landmark agreement on a range of cross-cutting issues affecting the Rock and the Campo de Gibraltar removing many of the restrictions imposed by Spain. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. ||-||-||} Córdoba ( Cordova in English is a City in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar (literally the Gibraltar Countryside as it was the hinterland of the now British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. ^[11] This agreement resolved a number of long standing issues; improved flow of traffic at the frontier, use of the airport by other carriers, recognition of the 350 telephone code and the settlement of the long-running dispute regarding the pensions of former Spanish workers in Gibraltar, who lost their jobs when Spain closed its border in 1969.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Gibraltar

As Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the UK, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor of Gibraltar. See also Disputed status of Gibraltar Gibraltar is represented in the European Union, having been the only British Overseas Territory which For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The Governor of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom 's overseas territory of Gibraltar. The UK retains responsibility for defence, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Defence The Governor is not involved in the day-to-day administration of Gibraltar, and his role is largely as a ceremonial representative of the head of state. The Governor officially appoints the Chief Minister and government ministers after an election. He is responsible for matters of defence, and security. On 17 July 2006, Governor Sir Francis Richards left Gibraltar on HMS Monmouth leaving the symbolic keys of the fortress of Gibraltar with the Deputy Governor. Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Sir Francis Richards, KCMG, CVO, DL (born 1945) was Her Majesty's Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar from 2003 A new governor, Lt General Sir Robert Fulton KBE, replaced Sir Francis in September 2006. See also Politics of Gibraltar Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton KBE, RM (born 1948 is a British Royal Marines ^[12]

The Government of Gibraltar is elected for a term of four years. The unicameral Parliament presently consists of seventeen elected members. Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or Parliamentary chamber The Gibraltar Parliament is the Legislature of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The speaker is appointed by a resolution of the Parliament.

The head of Government is the Chief Minister, currently Peter Caruana. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party in the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative Peter Richard Caruana QC (born 15 October 1956) is a Gibraltar politician and has been Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 1996 There are three political parties currently represented in the Parliament: the Gibraltar Social Democrats, the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, and the Gibraltar Liberal Party. The Gibraltar Social Democrats (abbreviated GSD) are a Political party in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (abbreviated GSLP) is the oldest surviving active party in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Liberal Party are a Political party in Gibraltar.

New Gibraltar Democracy and the Progressive Democratic Party have been formed since the 2003 election. New Gibraltar Democracy is a Gibraltarian Political party founded in 2005 by Barrister Charles Gomez. The Progressive Democratic Party or PDP is a Political party established in June 2006 in Gibraltar by Lawyer and former Gibraltar Social The Reform Party was wound up and Gibraltar Labour Party absorbed into the GSD in a merger in 2005. The Gibraltar Reform Party was a Political party in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Labour Party was a Political party in Gibraltar. A new party the Progressive Democratic Party PDP was formed in 2006. The Progressive Democratic Party or PDP is a Political party established in June 2006 in Gibraltar by Lawyer and former Gibraltar Social

The 2007 election was contested by the GSD, GSLP/LIBS, the PDP and two independents.

Gibraltar is a part of the European Union, having joined under the British Treaty of Accession (1973), with exemption from some areas such as the Customs Union and Common Agricultural Policy. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in A customs union is a Free trade area with a Common external tariff. The Common Agricultural Policy ( CAP) is a system of European Union Agricultural subsidies and programmes

After a ten-year campaign^[13] to exercise the right to vote in European Elections, from 2004, the people of Gibraltar participated in elections for the European Parliament as part of the South West England constituency. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. ^[14]

As a result of the continued Spanish claim, the issue of sovereignty features strongly in Gibraltar politics. Sovereignty is the exclusive Right to control a Government, a country, a people or oneself All local political parties are opposed to any transfer of sovereignty to Spain. They instead support self-determination for the Rock. Self-determination is defined as free choice of one’s own acts without external compulsion and especially as the freedom of the people of a given Territory to determine their This policy is supported by the main UK opposition parties.

In March 2006, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw announced that a new Gibraltar constitution had been agreed upon and would be published prior to a referendum on its acceptance in Gibraltar that year. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a member of the United Kingdom Government heading the John Whitaker Straw (born 3 August 1946 most commonly known as Jack Straw, is a senior British Labour Party Politician. ^[15] In July, in a statement to the UK Parliament, Geoff Hoon, the Minister for Europe, confirmed that the new Constitution confirms the right of self-determination of the Gibraltarian people. Geoffrey 'Geoff' William Hoon (born 6 December 1953 is a British Politician. ^[16]

On 30 November 2006, a referendum was held for a new constitution. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 was a new Constitution for Gibraltar which was given effect by an Order-in-Council on December 14 The turnout was 60. 4% of eligible voters of which 60. 24% voted to approve the constitution and 37. 75% against. The remainder returned blank votes. The acceptance was welcomed by the Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, as a step forward for Gibraltar's political development.

Geography

See also: Rock of Gibraltar

The territory covers 6. 843 square kilometres (2. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 642 sq mi). The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. It shares a 1. 2 km (0. 75 mi) land border with Spain. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. On the Spanish side is the town La Línea de la Concepción, a municipality of Cádiz province. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. La Línea de la Concepción (more often referred to as La Línea) is a town in Spain, in the province of Cádiz in Andalucia. This is a list of the municipalities in the province of Cádiz in the Autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental The part of Cádiz province next to Gibraltar is called Campo de Gibraltar, literally Gibraltar Countryside. The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar (literally the Gibraltar Countryside as it was the hinterland of the now British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar The shoreline measures 12 km (7. 5 mi) in length. There are two coasts (sides) of Gibraltar – the East Side, which contains the settlements of Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, and the West Side, where the vast majority of the population lives. Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar Sandy Bay is a small Beach on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Gibraltar, on the opposite side of The Rock from the main city Catalan Bay (La Caleta is a small bay and Fishing Village on the eastern side of Gibraltar, on the far side of the Rock from the The West Side of Gibraltar contains nearly all of the urban area and over 98% of the population of the Colony.

Having negligible natural resources and few natural freshwater resources, limited to natural wells in the north, until recently Gibraltar used large concrete or natural rock water catchments to collect water. Fresh water from the boreholes is supplemented by two desalination plants: a reverse osmosis plant, constructed in a tunnel within the rock, and a multi-stage flash distillation plant at North Mole. Desalination, desalinization, or desalinisation refers to any of several processes that remove excess salt and other Minerals from Water Reverse osmosis (RO is a separation process that uses pressure to force a Solution through a membrane that retains the Solute on one side and allows the Multi-stage flash distillation (MSF is a Desalination process that distills Sea water by flashing a portion of the water into steam in multiple stages ^[17]

Gibraltar is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, with approximately 4,290 inhabitants per square kilometre (11,100 /sq mi). The growing demand for space is being increasingly met by land reclamation; reclaimed land currently comprises approximately one tenth of the territory's total area. Land reclamation is either of two distinct practices One involves creating new land from sea- or riverbeds the other refers to restoring an area to a more natural state (such as after

The Rock itself is made of limestone and is 426 metres (1,396 ft) high. Limestone is a Sedimentary rock composed largely of the Mineral Calcite ( Calcium carbonate: CaCO3 It contains many tunnelled roads, most of which are operated by the military and closed to the public.

Flora and fauna

Over 500 different species of flowering plants grow on The Rock. The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar is the last in the whole of the European continent, which unlike that of North Africa, is thriving The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group One of them, the Gibraltar candytuft (Iberis gibraltarica), is endemic to Gibraltar. Iberis gibraltarica ( Gibraltar candytuft) is a flowering plant of the Genus Iberis and the family Brassicaceae. Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere Among the wild trees that grow all around The Rock, olive and pine trees are some of the most common. The Olive ( Olea europaea) is a Species of small Tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern This article is about the tree For other uses of the term "pine" see Pine (disambiguation.

Most of its upper area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 230 Barbary Macaques, commonly known as 'apes', the only wild monkeys found in Europe. nature reserve ( natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is a Protected area of importance for Wildlife, flora The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar is the last in the whole of the European continent, which unlike that of North Africa, is thriving A monkey is any member of either the New World monkeys or Old World monkeys two of the three groupings of Simian Primates the third group being They sometimes visit the town area. Recent genetic studies and historical documents point to their presence on the Rock before its capture by the British. A superstition analogous to that of the ravens at the Tower of London states that if the monkeys ever leave, so will the British. Raven is the common name given to the largest species of Passerine Birds in the Genus Corvus. Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London (and historically as The Tower) is a historic monument in central London Other mammals found in Gibraltar include rabbits, foxes and bats. Dolphins and whales are frequently seen in the Bay of Gibraltar. The Bay of Gibraltar (also known as Gibraltar Bay or more rarely Bay of Algeciras, direct translation of Spanish Bahía de Algeciras, the Migrating birds are very common and Gibraltar is home to the only specimens of Barbary Partridges found on the European continent. The Barbary Partridge ( Alectoris barbara) is a Gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers. A Mediterranean climate is one that resembles the Climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, which includes over half of the area with this climate type world-wide 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 and the other as Poniente which is westerly and brings fresher air in and colder sea. Viento de Levante or the Levanter refers to an easterly Wind that blows in the western Mediterranean, an example of Mountain-gap Its terrain consists of the 1,396 foot (426 m) high Rock of Gibraltar and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International The Rock of Gibraltar (sometimes called the Pillar of Hercules or by its Latin name Calpe) is a Monolithic Limestone Promontory

Month	Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg high °C (°F)	21 (70)	16 (61)	16 (62)	17 (64)	18 (66)	21 (71)	24 (76)	27 (81)	27 (82)	26 (79)	21 (71)	18 (66)	16 (62)
Avg low temperature °C (°F)	15 (60)	11 (52)	11 (52)	12 (54)	13 (56)	15 (60)	17 (64)	20 (68)	20 (69)	20 (68)	16 (62)	13 (57)	12 (54)
Source: Weatherbase

Subdivisions

Gibraltar has no administrative divisions. It is, however, divided into seven Major Residential Areas, which are further divided into Enumeration Areas, used for statistical purposes. ^[18]

The Major Residential Areas are listed below, with population figures from the Census of 2001:

	Residential area	Population	% of total
1.	East Side	429	1. 56%
2.	North District	4,116	14. 97%
3.	Reclamation Areas	9,599	34. 91%
4.	Sandpits Area	2,207	8. 03%
5.	South District	4,257	15. 48%
6.	Town Area	3,588	13. 05%
7.	Upper Town	2,805	10. 20%
	Remainder	494	1. 79%
	Gibraltar	27,495	100%

Economy

Main article: Economy of Gibraltar

The British military traditionally dominated the economy of Gibraltar, with the naval dockyard providing the bulk of economic activity. The economy of Gibraltar is managed and controlled by the Government of Gibraltar. The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar is the last in the whole of the European continent, which unlike that of North Africa, is thriving Tourism is an important asset to Gibraltar and is one of the three pillars of the Gibraltarian economy, the other two being the British Military and This has however diminished in the last twenty years, and it is estimated to account for only 7% of the local economy, compared to over 60% in 1984. Today, Gibraltar has an extensive service-based economy, dominated by financial services and tourism. Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel

A number of British and international banks have operations based in Gibraltar. Recently, many bookmakers and online gaming operators have relocated to Gibraltar, to benefit from operating in a regulated jurisdiction with a favourable corporate tax regime. However, this corporate tax regime for non-resident controlled companies is due to be phased out by 2010. ^[19]

Tourism is also a significant industry. Gibraltar is a popular stop for cruise ships and attracts day visitors from resorts in Spain. The Rock is a popular tourist attraction, particularly among British tourists and residents in the southern coast of Spain. It is also a popular shopping destination, and all goods and services are VAT free. Value added tax ( VAT) or goods and services tax ( GST) is a consumption Tax levied on value added. Many of the large British high street chains have branches in Gibraltar, including Marks and Spencer, BHS, Dorothy Perkins, and the supermarket Morrisons. Marks & Spencer Group plc (also M&S, Marks and Sparks, and Marks) is a British Retailer with 843 stores in more than 30 Bhs or British Home Stores (formerly BHS and BhS) is a stalwart department store of the British High Street, selling clothing and household items Dorothy Perkins, whose trading name was inspired by a rambler rose of the same name is a large British women's clothing Retailer active mostly in the United Kingdom Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC ( is the fourth largest chain of Supermarkets in the United Kingdom.

Figures from the CIA World Factbook show the main export markets in 2006 were United Kingdom 30. The World Factbook ( ISSN; also known as the CIA World Factbook) is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 8%, Spain 22. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. 7%, Germany 13. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. 7%, Turkmenistan 10. Turkmenistan ( Türkmenistan; also known as Turkmenia) is a Turkic country in Central Asia. 4%, Switzerland 8. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation 3%, Italy 6. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest 7% while the corresponding figures for imports are Spain 23. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. 4%, Russia 12. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending 3%, Italy 12%, UK 9%, France 8. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. 9%, Netherlands 6. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands 8% and United States 4. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the 7%. ^[20]

The Gibraltar Government state that economy grew in 2004/2005 by 7% to a GDP of £599,180,000. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Based on statistics in the 2006 surveys, the Government statisticians estimate it has grown by 8. 5% in 2005/6 and by 10. 8% in 2006/7 and that the GDP is probably now around 730 million. Inflation was running at 2. 6% in 2006 and predicted to be 2% to 3% in 2007. Speaking at the 2007 budget session, Peter Caruana, the Chief Minister said "The scale of Gibraltar's economic success makes it one of the most affluent communities in the entire world. "

Currency

Main article: Gibraltar pound

The Currency Notes Act confers on the Government of Gibraltar the right to issue its own currency notes, at parity with pound sterling. The pound ( Currency sign: £; banking code: GIP) is the currency of Gibraltar. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency ^[21] The monetary unit of Gibraltar is described both as "pound sterling"^[22][23][24] and also referred to as the "Gibraltar pound". ^[25][26] The ISO code "GIP" is assigned to the Gibraltar pound. Government of Gibraltar notes in circulation bear the words "Pounds sterling"^[27] and are legal tender in Gibraltar, but not in the United Kingdom or the other territories of the Sterling Area. The sterling area came into existence at the outbreak of the second world war. Sterling currency notes issued by the Bank of England are legal tender and are in circulation in Gibraltar alongside the local note issues. The Bank of England (formally the Governor and Company of the Bank of England) is a state-owned institution and the Central bank of the United Kingdom The euro is unofficially accepted in Gibraltar, though not by post offices or all payphones. Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e ^[28]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Gibraltar

The population of Gibraltar was 27,967 in July 2007. The Demographics of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' racial and cultural fusion of the many European immigrants who came to The Rock over three hundred ^[29]

Gibraltarians are a racial and cultural fusion of the many European immigrants who came to the Rock over three hundred years. The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, They are the descendants of economic migrants that came to Gibraltar after the majority of the Spanish population left in 1704. The few Spaniards who remained in Gibraltar in August 1704 were augmented by others who arrived in the fleet with Prince George of Hesse, possibly some two hundred in all, mostly Catalans. ^[30] By 1753 Genoese, Maltese, and Portuguese people formed the majority of this new population. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Other groups include Minorcans (forced to leave their homes when Minorca was returned to Spain in 1802), Sardinians, Sicilians and other Italians, French, Germans, and the British. Minorca ( Catalan and Spanish: Menorca; from Latin Balearis Minor, later Minorica "minor island" is one of the Immigration from Spain and intermarriage with Spaniards from the surrounding Spanish towns was a constant feature of Gibraltar's history until General Francisco Franco closed the border with Gibraltar, cutting off many Gibraltarians from their relatives on the Spanish side of the frontier. The Spanish socialist government reopened the land frontier, but other restrictions remain in place.

Religion

Gibraltar's main religion is Christianity, with the majority of Gibraltarians belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Other Christian denominations include the Church of England, whose Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the cathedral of the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe; the Gibraltar Methodist Church,^[31] Church of Scotland, various Pentecostal and independent churches mostly influenced by the House Church and Charismatic movements, as well as a Plymouth Brethren congregation. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Gibraltar is the Cathedral for the Church of England Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe. The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe in the Province of Canterbury. The Gibraltar Methodist Church is part of the South West District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism House church (or " home church " is an informal term for an independent assembly of Christians intentionally gathering in a home or on other grounds The term charismatic movement describes the adoption from the early twentieth century onwards of certain beliefs typical of those held by Pentecostal Christians — specifically The Plymouth Brethren is a Conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland There is also a ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination There are also a number of Hindu Indians, a Moroccan Muslim population, members of the Bahá'í Faith^[32] and a long-established Jewish community. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion The Bahá'í Faith is a Religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind There has been a Jewish presence in Gibraltar for more than 650 years ^[33][34]

Language

Main article: Languages of Gibraltar

As a British overseas territory, the sole official language of Gibraltar is English, and it is used by the Government and in schools. See also Demographics of Gibraltar Llanito See also Llanito Llanito (jɑˈnito or) is an Andalusian Spanish based The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Most locals are bilingual, also speaking Spanish, due to Gibraltar's proximity to Spain. However, because of the varied mix of ethnic groups which reside there, other languages are spoken on The Rock. The Rock of Gibraltar (sometimes called the Pillar of Hercules or by its Latin name Calpe) is a Monolithic Limestone Promontory Arabic is spoken by the Moroccan community, as are Hindi and Sindhi by the Indian community of Gibraltar. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Maltese language is still spoken by some families of Maltese descent. Maltese (Maltese Malti is the National language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English, Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands

Most Gibraltarians converse in Llanito (pronounced [jɑˈnito] or [ʒɑˈnito])^[35]. Llanito (jɑˈnito or) or Yanito is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular spoken It is an Andalusian Spanish based creole and is the main local vernacular, and unique to Gibraltar. The Andalusian Dialect of Spanish (also called andaluz) is spoken in Andalusia, Ceuta, Melilla, and parts of southern A number of Creole languages are based on the Spanish language. It consists of an eclectic mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English as well as languages such as Maltese, Portuguese, Italian of the Genoese variety and Haketia. British English or UK English ( BrE, BE, en-GB) is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the Maltese (Maltese Malti is the National language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English, Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. Genoese ( Zeneize) is the most important dialect of the Ligurian language, the one spoken in Genoa (the principal city of the Liguria region Haketia (also written as Hakitia or Haquitía) is a largely Extinct Jewish-Moroccan Language, also known as Djudeo Spañol Andalusian Spanish is the main constituent of Llanito, but is also heavily influenced by British English. However, it borrows words and expressions of many other languages, with over 500 words of Genoese and Hebrew origin^[36]. Among more educated Gibraltarians, it also typically involves code-switching to English. Code-switching is a term in Linguistics referring to using more than one language or variety in conversation

Gibraltarians also call themselves Llanitos.

Education

Main article: Education in Gibraltar

Education in Gibraltar generally follows the English system operating within a three tier system. Education in Gibraltar generally follows the English system operating within a three tier system Education in England is the responsibility of the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills of the Three-tier education refers to those structures of schooling which exist in some parts of England where pupils are taught in three distinct school types Schools in Gibraltar follow the Key Stage system which teaches the National Curriculum. A Key Stage is a stage of the state Education system in the UK and Gibraltar setting the educational knowledge expected of students at various The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary

Schools

Gibraltar has fifteen state schools, one MOD school, one private school and one College of Further Education. State school is an expression used in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to distinguish schools provided by the government from privately The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters For the film of this title see Private School (film. Private schools, or Independent schools are Schools not administered

Higher education

As there are no facilities in Gibraltar for full-time higher education, all Gibraltarian students must study elsewhere at degree level or equivalent and certain non-degree courses. Higher education is Education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, Community colleges Liberal arts colleges A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of Higher education, such as universities, normally as the result of successfully completing ^[37] The Government of Gibraltar operates a scholarship/grant system to provide funding for students studying in the United Kingdom. See also Disputed status of Gibraltar Gibraltar is represented in the European Union, having been the only British Overseas Territory which A scholarship is an award of access to an institution or a financial aid award for an individual student scholar for the purpose of furthering their Education The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located All Gibraltarian students follow the student loans procedure of the UK, where they apply for a loan from the Student Loans Company which is then reimbursed in full by the Government of Gibraltar. British Undergraduate and PGCE students can apply for a loan through their Local education authority (LEA in England and Wales The Student Loans Company Limited is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government, responsible for the provision of financial support to students

Health care

All Gibraltarians are entitled to free health care in public wards and clinics at the hospital and primary health care centre. Health care is the prevention treatment and management of illness and the preservation of mental health through the services offered by the medical, Nursing A clinic (or an outpatient clinic) is a small private or public health facility that is devoted to the care of Outpatients, often in a community in contrast A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for Primary health care, often abbreviated as PHC ( Primary Health Centre) and PC is "essential health care based on practical scientifically sound All other British citizens are also entitled to free of charge treatment on the Rock on presentation of a valid British passport during stays of up to 30 days. Other EU nationals are equally entitled to treatment on presentation of a valid European Health Insurance Card. The European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) allows citizens of the EEA countries and Switzerland to receive medical treatment Dental treatment and prescribed medicines are also free of charge for Gibraltarian students and pensioners. Dental surgery is any of a number of Medical procedures which involve artificially modifying the Dentition. A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained In common parlance a pensioner is a person who has retired, and now collects a Pension. ^[38]

General hospitals

• St Bernard's Hospital

Primary health care centres

• Health Care Centre

Mental hospitals

• King George V Hospital

Culture

Main article: Culture of Gibraltar

The culture of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' diverse origins. While there are Andalusian and British influences, the ethnic origins of most Gibraltarians are not confined to British or Andalusian ethnicities. Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area Most ethnicities include Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, and German. The Maltese people or Maltese are a Southern European Nation and Ethnic group native to Malta, an island nation consisting of an archipelago The Portuguese people (os Portugueses literally the Portuguese) are the Ethnic group or Nation native to the country of Portugal, in the west The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as A handful of other Gibraltar residents are Jewish of Sephardic origin, North African, or Indians. Sephardi Jews ( Hebrew: ספרדי, Standard Səfardi Tiberian Səp̄arədî; plural North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

British influence remains strong. English is the language of government, commerce, education, and the media. Gibraltarians going on to higher education attend university in the UK. Patients requiring medical treatment not available on the Rock receive it as private patients paid for by the Gibraltar Government either in the United Kingdom, or more recently in Spain.

There exists a small but interesting amount of literary writings by native Gibraltarians. The first prominent work of fiction was probably Héctor Licudi's 1929 novel Barbarita, written in Spanish. It is a largely autobiographical account of the adventures and misadventures of a young Gibraltarian man. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, several noteworthy anthologies of poetry were published by Leopoldo Sanguinetti, Albert Joseph Patron, and Alberto Pizzarello. The 1960s were largely dominated by the theatrical works of Elio Cruz and his two highly acclaimed Spanish plays La Lola se va pá Londre and Connie con cama camera en el comedor. In the 1990s, the Gibraltarian man-of-letters Mario Arroyo published Profiles (1994), a series of bilingual meditations on love, loneliness and death. An intellectual (from the adjective meaning "involving thought and reason" is a person who tries to use his or her Intelligence and analytical thinking, Of late there have been interesting works by the essayist Mary Chiappe such as her volume of essays Cabbages and Kings (2006) and by the UK-educated academic M. G. Sanchez, author of the hard-hitting novel Rock Black 0-10: A Gibraltar fiction (2006).

Cuisine

Gibraltarian cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the Andalucian Spaniards and the British, as well as the many foreigners who made Gibraltar their home over the past three centuries. Gibraltarian cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the Andalucian Spaniards and the British, as well as the many foreigners who made Gibraltar The Andalusians are an Ethnic group or Nation in Spain centered in Andalusia. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The culinary influences include those from Malta, Genoa, Portugal and Andalusia. Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on fresh seasonal locally available Produce and Seafood, with some influence from Italian Italian cuisine as a national Cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political changes with its roots traced back to 4th century BC Portuguese cuisine is characterised by rich filling and full-flavoured dishes and is an example of a Mediterranean diet. Andalusian cuisine is rather varied corresponding to a region that is itself extensive and varied This marriage of tastes has given Gibraltar an eclectic mix of Mediterranean and British cuisine. Mediterranean cuisine is the food of the areas around the Mediterranean Sea. English Cuisine is shaped by the country's temperate climate its island geography and its history

Music

The music of Gibraltar is undergoing a renaissance with a multitude of local bands playing original material and covers. Gibraltar is a British overseas territory with many musical influences The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere Local venues have begun accepting Gibraltarian bands and those from nearby Spain, resulting in a varied mix of live performances every weekend as well as some weekday nights. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Musicians from Gibraltar include Charles Ramirez, the first guitarist invited to play with the Royal College of Music Orchestra,^[39] and successful rock bands like Breed 77, Melon Diesel and Taxi. Charles Ramirez (born 1953 in Gibraltar) is a professor of guitar at the Royal College of Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The Royal College of Music is a well known conservatoire located in the South Kensington district of London, England, and one A musical ensemble is a group of two or more Musicians who perform instrumental or vocal Music. Breed 77 (pronounced "Breed Seven-Seven" is a band whose music is a fusion of rock, metal and Flamenco. Melon Diesel was a successful Gibraltarian Pop rock band, signed by Sony Music, who achieved popularity in Spain. Taxi is a Gibraltarian Pop rock band founded in 2005 after the break-up of Melon Diesel.

The best known Gibraltarian musician is Albert Hammond,^[40] who has had top 10 hits in the UK & US, and has written many songs for international artists such as Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and Julio Iglesias among many others. Albert Hammond (born 18 May 1944, London, England) is a Singer-songwriter, whose family came originally from Gibraltar Whitney Elizabeth Houston' (born August 9 1963 is an American Singer-songwriter, Actress, Film producer, Arranger and former Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an eight time Grammy Award -winning American Julio Iglesias (born September 23 1943 in Madrid) is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million albums in 14 languages and released 77 albums

National Day

Gibraltar's National Day commemorates the 1967 referendum when the people of Gibraltar voted to reject Spanish sovereignty or association by a massive majority. It is celebrated annually on September 10. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. The day is a public holiday, during which most Gibraltarians dress in the national colours of red and white and among other events, attend a rally. The rally culminates with the release of 30 000 red and white balloons representing the people of Gibraltar. A balloon is a flexible bag filled with a type of Gas, such as Helium, Hydrogen, Nitrous oxide or air.

The Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell described the event as "a magnificent celebration of the Gibraltarian people, showing not only their pride in being British, but also their love of their homeland — the rock itself"^[41]

Tercentenary

In 2004, Gibraltar celebrated the tercentenary (the 300th anniversary) of its capture by British forces. In recognition of and with thanks for its long association with Gibraltar, the Royal Navy was given the freedom of the City. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand Another event saw nearly the entire population, dressed in red, white and blue, link hands to form a human chain encircling the Rock.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Gibraltar

In 2007 there were eighteen Gibraltar Sports Associations with official recognition from their respective International Governing Bodies. Sport plays a prominent role in Gibraltarian life The range of sports practiced in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar is wide and varied Others, including the Gibraltar National Olympic Committee, have submitted applications for recognition which are being considered.

Cricket enjoys massive popularity in Gibraltar as the weather is perfectly suited to cricket games. The Gibraltar national cricket team recently won the European Cricket Championships. The Gibraltar national cricket team is the team that represents the British overseas territory of Gibraltar in international Cricket.

The Government supports the many sporting associations financially. Gibraltar also competes in the bi-annual Island Games, which it hosted in 1995. International Island Games Association (IGA is an organisation the sole purpose of which is to organise the Island Games a friendly biennial Athletic competition between teams

The Gibraltar Football Association applied for full membership of UEFA, but their bid was turned down in 2007 in a contentious decision. The Gibraltar Football Association ( GFA) was formed as the Gibraltar Civilian Football Association in 1895 changing to its current name in later years The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[42]

Transport

Main article: Transport in Gibraltar

Within Gibraltar, the main form of transport is the car. Gibraltar has a limited public transport system due to the small size of the territory and the impact of the constitutional dispute with Spain Motorbikes are popular and there is a good modern bus service. Unlike in other British territories, traffic drives on the right, as the territory shares a land border with Spain.

There is a cable car which runs from ground level to the top of the rock, with an intermediate station at the apes’ den. An aerial tramway is a type of Aerial lift in which a cabin is suspended from a cable and is pulled by another cable

Restrictions on transport introduced by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco closed the land frontier in 1969 and prohibited any air or ferry connections. Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde (born December 4, 1892 in Ferrol, died November 20, 1975 in Madrid See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and In 1982, the land border was reopened. As the result of an agreement signed in Cordoba on September 18, 2006 between Gibraltar, the United Kingdom and Spain,^[43] the Spanish government agreed to relax the border controls at the frontier that have plagued locals for decades; in return, Britain will pay increased pensions to workers who lost their jobs when Franco closed the border. ||-||-||} Córdoba ( Cordova in English is a City in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Border controls are measures used by a Country to monitor or regulate its Borders The control of the flow of people animals and goods across a border may be controlled Restrictions on telephones were removed in 2007 and restrictions on movements at the airport were removed on 16 December 2006. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[44]

Gibraltar maintains regular flight connections to London and Madrid. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Flights to Morocco and Manchester were cancelled after insufficient demand to sustain the service. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa GB Airways has operated a service between Gibraltar and London and other cities for many years. GB Airways was a UK Airline based at London Gatwick Airport. It operated scheduled services as a British Airways franchise to The airline initially flew under the name "Gibraltar Airways" but changed its name to GB Airways in 1989 in anticipation of service to cities other than the UK citing the name change would incur fewer political difficulties. As one of British Airways' franchise operators, the airline now operates flights in full British Airways livery. In 2007 GB Airways was purchased by EasyJet^[45] who will operate flights under their name from April 2008 when British Airways will re-introduce flights to Gibraltar. EasyJet Airline Company Limited, styled as easyJet, is a low cost airline based at London Luton Airport. British Airways plc ( is the national Airline and Flag carrier of the United Kingdom and one of the largest in Europe Monarch Airlines operate a daily scheduled service between Gibraltar and Luton. Monarch Airlines is a British charter and scheduled Airline based in Luton, England. The Spanish national airline, Iberia, operates a daily service to Madrid. A flag carrier refers to a Transportation company such as an Airline or Shipping company that is locally registered in a given Country Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España SA (Iberia Airlines of Spain ( or Iberia as it is commonly known is the largest Airline of Spain, based An annual return charter flight to Malta is operated by Maltese national airline, Air Malta. A charter airline, also sometimes referred to as an Air taxi, operates Aircraft on a charter basis that is flights that take place outside normal schedules by a Air Malta plc is the national Airline of Malta, based in Luqa.

Gibraltar Airport is unusual not only due to its proximity to the centre of the city resulting in the airport terminal being within walking distance of much of Gibraltar^[46] but also because the runway intersects Winston Churchill Avenue, the main north-south street, requiring movable barricades to close when aircraft land or depart. New roads and a tunnel for Winston Churchill Avenue, which will end the need to stop road traffic when aircraft use the runway, are planned with a completion date of 2009. ^[47][48]

Motorists, and on occasion pedestrians, crossing the border with Spain have been subjected to long delays and searches by the Spanish authorities. Spain has closed the border during disputes or incidents involving the Gibraltar authorities, such as the Aurora cruise ship incident and when fishermen from the Spanish fishing vessel Pirana were arrested for illegal fishing in Gibraltar waters. History 2000-2003 After entering service in May 2000 the ship suffered several setbacks ^[49]

Communications

Main article: Communications in Gibraltar

Gibraltar has a digital telephone exchange supported by a fibre optic and copper infrastructure. The telephone operator, Gibtelecom, also operates a GSM network. GSM ( Global System for Mobile communications: originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile) is the most popular standard for Mobile phones in the

International subscriber dialling is provided, and Gibraltar was allocated the access code 350 by the International Telecommunication Union. This works from all countries with IDD, including Spain, which has accepted its use since February 10, 2007, when the telecom dispute was resolved. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Until February 10 2007, Spain imposed restrictions on Gibraltar 's ability to expand and modernise its telecommunications infrastructure Gibraltar fixed service numbers are currently five digits but are being increased to eight by adding the prefix 200 to existing lines.

Dial-up, ADSL, high-speed Internet lines are available, as are some wifi hotspots in hotels. Wi-Fi (ˈwaɪfaɪ is the trade name for the popular wireless technology used Local operator CTS is rolling out WiMax.

The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation operates a television and radio station on UHF, VHF and medium-wave. The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC is Gibraltar 's public service broadcaster. The radio service is also Internet-streamed. Special events are streamed in video.

The largest and most frequently published newspaper is the Gibraltar Chronicle, Gibraltar’s oldest established daily newspaper and the world’s second oldest English language newspaper to have been in print continuously^[50] with daily editions six days a week. The Gibraltar Chronicle is a national Newspaper published daily in Gibraltar since 1801 English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Panorama is published on weekdays, and Vox, 7 Days, The New People, and Gibsport are weekly.

Military

Gibraltar's defence is the responsibility of the tri-service British Forces Gibraltar. British Forces Gibraltar is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. The army garrison is provided by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, originally a part-time reserve force which was placed on the permanent establishment of the British Army in 1990. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The regiment includes full-time and part-time soldiers recruited from Gibraltar, as well as British Army regulars posted from other regiments. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces.

The Royal Navy maintains a squadron at the Rock. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The Gibraltar Squadron is a unit of the British Royal Navy. It is the only resident sea-going Royal Naval unit in Gibraltar, attached to British Forces The squadron is responsible for the security and integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). The shore establishment at Gibraltar is called Rooke after Sir George Rooke who captured the Rock for Archduke Charles (pretender to the Spanish throne) in 1704. Admiral Sir George Rooke (1650 &ndash January 24 1709) English naval commander was born at St Lawrence near Canterbury in 1650 Charles VI (German Karl VI) ( October 1, 1685 &ndash October 20, 1740) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia Gibraltar's strategic position provides an important facility for the Royal Navy and Britain's allies. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Ships from the Spanish Navy do not call at Gibraltar.

British and U. S. nuclear submarines frequently visit the Z berths at Gibraltar. ^[51] A Z berth provides the facility for nuclear submarines to visit for operational or recreational purposes, and for non-nuclear repairs.

The Royal Air Force station at Gibraltar forms part of Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar. Although aircraft are no longer permanently stationed at RAF Gibraltar, a variety of RAF aircraft make regular visits to the Rock and the airfield also houses a section from the Met Office. Royal Air Force Station Gibraltar, better known as RAF Gibraltar and formally as North Front, is a Royal Air Force station on Gibraltar.

The Rock is believed to be a SIGINT listening post. ^[52] Its strategic position provides a key GCHQ and National Security Agency location for Mediterranean and North African coverage. The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ is a British Intelligence agency responsible for providing Signals intelligence (SIGINT and Information The National Security Agency/ Central Security Service ( NSA/CSS) is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States government ^[53]

During the Falklands War, an Argentine plan to attack British shipping in the harbour using frogmen (Operation Algeciras) was foiled. The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the Operation Algeciras was a failed plan conceived by the Argentine Military to sabotage a Royal Navy Warship in Gibraltar ^[54] The naval base also played a part in supporting the task force sent by Britain to recover the Falklands.

In January 2007, the Ministry of Defence announced that services to the base would be provided by the private company SERCO, resulting in industrial action from the trade unions involved.

Death on the Rock

Main article: Operation Flavius

On March 6, 1988, as part of Operation Flavius, the British SAS killed three members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), Mairéad Farrell, Sean Savage and Daniel McCann. Operation Flavius was the name given to an operation by a Special Air Service team in Gibraltar on 6 March 1988 tasked with preventing a Provisional Irish Republican Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Operation Flavius was the name given to an operation by a Special Air Service team in Gibraltar on 6 March 1988 tasked with preventing a Provisional Irish Republican The Special Air Service ( SAS) is a Special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model and inspiration for the special The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Mairéad Farrell ('Máiréad Ní Fhearghail'/ Mairéad Ní Fhearail;1957 - 1988 was an Irish volunteer of the Provisional Irish Republican Army Seán Savage ( Irish: Seán Sabhaois) (b 26 January 1965, Belfast Northern Ireland - d Daniel "Danny" McCann ( Irish Dónall Mac Cana) (born 30 November 1957 &ndash 6 March 1988) was a volunteer They were in Gibraltar on a IRA operation to plant a car bomb. All three were unarmed at the time, but a car hired by the three was subsequently discovered in Spain with 64 kg (141 lb) of Semtex explosive. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass Semtex is a general-purpose Plastic explosive containing RDX and PETN. The incident became the subject of a contentious Thames Television documentary, Death on the Rock. Thames Television was a licencee of the British ITV television network covering London and parts of the surrounding counties Death On The Rock was a controversial and British Academy Television Award -winning episode of Thames Television 's Current affairs strand

An inquest was held which ruled the SAS's action to be lawful. ^[55] The families of the deceased, however, took the case to the European Court of Human Rights and in 1995 it held by ten votes to nine that the British government had violated Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights ( ECtHR) (Cour européenne des droits de l’homme in Strasbourg was established under the European Convention on Human Rights The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (also called the "European Convention on Human Rights" and "ECHR" was adopted under the It also ruled, however, that the three killed had been engaged in an act of terrorism, consequently dismissing unanimously the applicants' claims for damages, for costs and expenses incurred by the original inquest, and for any remaining claims for just satisfaction. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion ^[56][57]

Gibraltar in popular culture

• The film The Silent Enemy was filmed on location in Gibraltar in 1958. The Silent Enemy is a 1958 film directed by William Fairchild, starring Laurence Harvey as Lionel "Buster" Crabb. It is a dramatisation of the period during the Second World War when Lionel "Buster" Crabb served as a mine and disposal officer in Gibraltar while frogmen of the Italian Navy's Tenth Light Flotilla were sinking vital shipping. For the American actor see Buster Crabbe Lionel "Buster" Crabb OBE, GM ( 28 January, 1909 - presumed
• Anthony Burgess's novel A Vision of Battlements (1965), chronicling the troubled love-life of the British soldier Richard Ennis, is set in Gibraltar. Anthony Burgess (February 25 1917 — November 22 1993 was an English Novelist, Critic, Composer, Librettist, Poet A Vision of Battlements is a 1965 novel by Anthony Burgess based on his experiences during World War II in Gibraltar, where he was serving with the British
• The satirical novel Gil Braltar by Jules Verne (1887) describes an almost successful attack of the monkeys on the fortress. Gil Braltar is a Satirical Short story by Jules Verne parodying British colonialism Jules Gabriel Verne ( February 8 1828 &ndash March 24 1905) was a French Author who pioneered the science-fiction
• "The Day of an American Journalist in 2889", an 1889 Jules Verne short story, also mentions Gibraltar as the last territory of a British Empire that has lost the British Isles themselves. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan
• In 1782 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed a fragment for voice and piano to celebrate the Great Siege of Gibraltar titled Bardengesang auf Gibraltar: O Calpe! Dir donnert's am Fusse. An unfinished work is a Creative work that has not been finished The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War Bardengesang auf Gibraltar O Calpe! Dir donnert's am Fusse is the title of a fragment for voice and piano composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1782 to
• Raffles' Crime in Gibraltar by Barry Perowne, a Sexton Blake story set in Gibraltar in 1937 (U.S. title: They Hang Them in Gibraltar). Barry Perowne was a pseudonym of the British writer Philip Atkey (1908-1985 best known for Crime fiction. Sexton Blake is a fictional detective who has appeared in many British comic strips and novels described by Professor Jeffrey Richards on the BBC in 'The Radio Detectives' in 2003 as "the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
• Scruffy by Paul Gallico is set on Gibraltar during World War II. Paul William Gallico (July 26 1897&ndashJuly 15 1976 was a successful American novelist Short story and sports writer It follows the steady decline in the size of the Macaque colony and the possible fulfilment of the superstition that Gibraltar will fall if it disappears.
• As Molly Bloom is a native Gibraltarian, references to Gibraltar appear throughout James Joyce's Ulysses (1922). Molly Bloom is a Fictional character in the novel Ulysses by James Joyce. James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 &ndash 13 January 1941 was an Irish expatriate writer widely considered to be one of the most influential writers of the Ulysses is a novel by James Joyce, first serialized in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920 A sculpture of Molly Bloom as imagined by local artist Jon Searle is on display in the Alameda Gardens. The Alameda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens or The Alameda Gardens is a Botanical garden in Gibraltar, spanning around six hectares (0
• The opening scene of the film The Living Daylights (from the James Bond film series) takes place in Gibraltar. The Living Daylights, released in 1987 is the fifteenth Spy film of the James Bond series, and the first to star Timothy Dalton James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story
• In the German-language film Das Boot, a German U-boat struggles in its attempt to get past the British navy in Gibraltar to relocate to a base in the Mediterranean sea. Das Boot (das boːt German for The Boat) is a 1981 feature film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, adapted from a novel of the same
• The last chapters of the Swedish book Luftslottet som sprängdes by Stieg Larsson take place in Gibraltar. Stieg Larsson ( August 15 1954 - November 9 2004) was a Swedish Journalist and Writer.
• Arthur C. Clarke's novel The Fountains of Paradise mentions about the 'Gibraltar Bridge', a novel infrastructure connecting Europe and Africa. Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE (16 December 1917–19 March 2008 was a British Science fiction Author, Inventor, and The Fountains of Paradise is a 1979 novel by Arthur C Clarke. The Gibraltar Bridge is a conceptual structure spanning the Strait of Gibraltar that would connect Europe to Africa.
• Arturo Perez-Reverte's novel Queen of the South, is set in and around Gibraltar. Arturo Pérez-Reverte (November 25 1951 Cartagena Spain) is a Spanish Novelist and Journalist. Queen of the South is an alternative title for the Queen of Sheba.
• The Beatles' song The Ballad of John & Yoko identifies Gibraltar as the place that John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " Ballad of John and Yoko " is a song released by The Beatles as a single in May 1969 John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born born in Tokyo on February 18 1933 is a Japanese Artist and Musician.
• John Masters' book The Rock is a collection of short stories set in Gibraltar: ranging from a story set in prehistoric times to one suggesting a possible future for the Rock. Lieutenant Colonel John Masters, DSO (1914&ndash1983 was an English officer in the British Indian Army and Novelist.

Notable people from Gibraltar

See also: List of Gibraltarians and Gibraltarian people

Notable or famous Gibraltarians include:

• William George Penney - physicist responsible for the development of British nuclear technology following World War II. See also The Gibraltarians (also called Llanitos/as, Gibraltareños/as are a Cultural group or Nation from the The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, William George Penney Baron Penney OM, KBE ( 24 June 1909 &ndash 3 March 1991) was a British Physicist Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei.
• John Galliano - four time British fashion designer of the year. Juan Carlos Antonio Galliano Guillén, CBE, RDI (born November 28 1960) professionally known as John Galliano, is a Gibraltarian The British Fashion Awards is a ceremony held annually in the United Kingdom to present awards to those who have made the most outstanding contributions to British Clothing
• Albert Hammond - International singer, songwriter and producer. Albert Hammond (born 18 May 1944, London, England) is a Singer-songwriter, whose family came originally from Gibraltar
• Henry Francis Cary (1772 - 1844) - Translator and poet.
• Thomas William Bowlby (1818 - 1860) - Correspondent for The Times in Germany and China. Thomas William Bowlby (1818 - 1860 was a British correspondent for The Times in Germany and China. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. He was captured and imprisoned by the Tartar General Sengge Rinchen whilst on correspondence in Tongzhou, Beijing. Sengge Rinchen also Senggelinqin (僧格林沁 1811-1865）a Mongol nobleman and general during the Qing dynasty who is mainly known for his role Tongzhou District ( Simplified Chinese: 通州区 Traditional Chinese: 通州區 Hanyu Pinyin: Tōngzhōu Qū is a district of the People's
• Frederick Stanley Maude (1864 - 1917) - General who led the successful campaign in World War I to capture Baghdad over the winter of 1917. Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Stanley Maude KCB, CMG, DSO ( 24 June, 1864 - 18 November, 1917 World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous
• John Beikie (1766 - 1839) - Merchant and political figure in Upper Canada. John Beikie ( February 14 1766 &ndash March 20 1839) was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada. The Province of Upper Canada (French Province du Haut-Canada) was a British colony located in what is now the southern portion of the Province of Ontario
• Don Pacifico (1784 - 1854) - Gibraltar-born Portuguese Jew, most famous for the Pacifico incident
• John Montresor (1736 - 1799) - Gibraltar-born military engineer in the British service active in North America, his amorous exploits inspired the best-selling novel Charlotte Temple. David Pacifico (1784– April 12 1854) was of Portuguese Jewish descent and born in Gibraltar. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Don Pacifico Affair concerned a Portuguese Jew, named David Pacifico (known as Don Pacifico who was a trader and the Portuguese consul in Athens during Captain John Montresor ( 22 April 1736 &ndash 26 June 1799) was a British Military engineer in North America A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive defensive and logistical structures for Warfare Other duties include the The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 Charlotte Temple is a novel by Susanna Rowson. It was first published in England in 1791 under the title Charlotte A Tale of Truth.
• Gustavo Bacarisas (1873-1971) - Painter.

Twin towns

• Goole, Yorkshire and the Humber, UK (1969, but lapsed)^[58]
• Ballymena, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) (2006)^[59]

References

External links

Maps

• Interactive Map of Gibraltar

General information

• PJHQ Overseas Bases — Gibraltar
• Reference Documents and images
• Government of Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Financial Services Commission
• Political comment and live webcam
• Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society GONHS
• Gibraltar, CIA Factbook
• Jewish Gibraltar, The Jerusalem Post
• WIKI on Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Local Disability Movement

Culture

• Literary Figures with connections to Gibraltar, 1700–1900
• Musicians with Gibraltar connections, 1600–1950

Television, Radio and New media

• Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (with radio streaming)
• BFBS - British Forces Broadcasting Gibraltar
• Gibfocus
• Gibnews

Newspapers with online editions

• The Gibraltar Chronicle
• Panorama Daily
• VOX - Gibraltar weekly, with site updated daily
• The New People

Image galleries

• Gibraltar Image Databank based in Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Photographs
• Gibraltarian Photographer
• Gibraltar National Day & Landmarks
• The Gibraltar Photo Gallery
• Photos of Gibraltar
• Photos of Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Photographers
• Straights of Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society ( GONHS) founded in 1976 is a non-governmental membership-based organisation committed to research into and The World Factbook ( ISSN; also known as the CIA World Factbook) is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the

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