User:The Red Hat of Pat Ferrick/Workshop/Gibraltar

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This page is about the British overseas territory. For other uses, see The Red Hat of Pat Ferrick/Workshop/Gibraltar (disambiguation).
Gibraltar
Motto: Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti  (Latin)
"Conquered by no enemy."1
Anthem: Gibraltar Anthem
Royal anthem: God Save the Queen
Coat of arms of the Government and Mayor of Gibraltar
Coat of arms of the Government and Mayor of Gibraltar
Location of Gibraltar
CapitalGibraltar
36°8′N 5°21′W / 36.133°N 5.350°W / 36.133; -5.350
Largest Most populated district
Westside
Official languagesEnglish
Unofficial languages
Vernacular		Spanish
Llanito
Ethnic groups
Gibraltarian (of mixed Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese and Andalusian descent), other British, Moroccan and Indian
Demonym(s)Gibraltarian
GovernmentBritish Overseas Territory
HM Queen Elizabeth II
• Governor
Sir Adrian Johns
Peter Caruana
Event 
Date
• Captured
4 August 1704[1]
• Ceded
11 April 1713[2] (Treaty of Utrecht)
10 September
29 January
Area
• Total
6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi) (229th)
• Water (%)
0%
Population
• Jan 2008 estimate
29,286 (2008 estimate)[3] (209th)
• Density
4,290/km2 (11,111.0/sq mi) (3rd)
GDP (PPP)2008 estimate
• Total
£804 million
• Per capita
£27,468 (n/a)
HDI (n/a)n/a
Error: Invalid HDI value (n/a)
CurrencyGibraltar pound £3 (GIP)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy
Driving sideright4
Calling code3506
ISO 3166 codeGI
Internet TLD.gi5
  1. Gibraltar.gov.gi
  2. As a Special Member State territory of the United Kingdom.
  3. Coins and sterling notes are issued by the Government of Gibraltar.
  4. Unlike all other UK dependencies but the BIOT.
  5. The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union members.
  6. Before 10 February 2007, 9567 from Spain.

Gibraltar (pronounced /dʒɨˈbrɔːltər/) is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The territory itself is a peninsula of 6.843 square kilometres (2.642 sq mi) whose isthmus connects to the north with Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the area and gives its name to the densely populated town, home to almost 30,000 Gibraltarians.

Gibraltar was captured by a joint Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession and subsequently ceded to Britain by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory and seeks its return.[4] Gibraltarians resoundingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in referendums held in 1967 and 2002.

Gibraltar was for almost three centuries an important strategic base for the Royal Navy, which drove the local economy and provided employment for a large proportion of the local population. Nowadays, the economy is largely based on tourism, financial services and shipping.[5][4]

Etymology[edit]

The name Gibraltar is the Spanish derivation of the Arabic name Jabal Tāriq (جبل طارق), meaning "mountain of Tariq".[6] It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, which in turn was named after the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711 under the command of Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock.

History[edit]

Main article: History of Gibraltar
The Moorish Castle's Tower of Homage. Construction of the castle was ordered by Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min and was Gibraltar's first permanent settlement.

There is evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Gibraltar in Gorham's Cave between 128,000 and 24,000 BCE. Gibraltar was the last known holdout of the Neanderthals.[7] Within recorded history, the first inhabitants were the Phoenicians, around 950 BCE. Subsequently, Gibraltar became known as one of the Pillars of Hercules, after the Greek legend of the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Carthaginians and Romans also established semi-permanent settlements. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals. The area later formed part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania until the Islamic conquest of Iberia in 711 CE. Seven centuries of Moorish control ended when Gibraltar was recaptured by the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1462 as part of the Spanish reconquista.

The Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned, built during the Spanish period.
The Battle of Gibraltar, 25 April 1607, which took place during the Eighty Years' War. A Dutch fleet surprised and engaged a Spanish fleet anchored at the Bay of Gibraltar. During the four hours of action, the entire Spanish fleet was destroyed.

After the conquest, King Henry IV assumed the title of King of Gibraltar, establishing it as part of the municipal area of the Campo Llano de Gibraltar.[8]. Six years later Gibraltar was restored to the Duke of Medina Sidonia who sold it in 1474 to a group of Jewish conversos from Córdoba and Seville in exchange for maintaining the garrison of the town for two years. The 4,350 Jews were expelled two years later by the Duke as part of the Inquisition.[9] In 1501 Gibraltar passed back to the hands of the Spanish Crown and Isabella of Castile issued a Royal Warrant granting Gibraltar the coat of arms that it still uses today.

Great Siege of Gibraltar, 13 September 1782.

On 4 August 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, Gibraltar was captured by a combined Anglo-Dutch force. After three days of violence on the part of the invaders and reprisal attacks by the townspeople, the existing population left for San Roque and other nearby areas of Spain. Gibraltar was ceded in perpetuity by Spain to Britain under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht which concluded the war. Spain attempted to retake Gibraltar in 1779 while Britain's attention was turned to the American Revolution, imposing a stringent blockade as part of an unsuccessful siege which lasted until 1783, the Great Siege of Gibraltar.[10] Gibraltar subsequently became a key base for the Royal Navy, first playing an important part prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. Its strategic value increased with the opening of the Suez Canal as it controlled the sea route between the UK the British Empire east of Suez.

During World War II, Gibraltar's civilian population was evacuated and the Rock turned into a fortress. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's reluctance to allow the German Army onto Spanish soil frustrated a German plan to capture the Rock, codenamed Operation Felix. In the 1950s, Franco renewed Spain's claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar and restricted movement between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty in a 1967 referendum which led to the passing of the Gibraltar Constitution Order. In response, Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links.[11] The border with Spain was partially reopened in 1982, and fully reopened in 1985 prior to Spain's accession into the European Community.

View of the frontier from the Spanish side.

In 2002 Gibraltarians resoundingly rejected proposals to share sovereignty between Britain and Spain in a second sovereignty referendum, and in 2006 voted to approve a new constitution. Many of the remaining restrictions placed by Spain on Gibraltar were removed in 2006 after tripartite talks such as use of the airport and recognition of Gibraltar's +350 telephone code.

Politics[edit]

Main article: Politics of Gibraltar
Parliament of Gibraltar
Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana QC
Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Adrian Johns

Gibraltar is one of fourteen British Overseas Territories, a term introduced by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 to replace the classification of British Dependent Territory, as defined under the British Nationality Act 1981. The 1981 Act had also granted Gibraltarians full British citizenship.

Under its current Constitution, Gibraltar has almost complete internal democratic self-government through an elected parliament.[12][13][14][15] The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor of Gibraltar. Defence, foreign policy and internal security are formally the responsibility of the Governor; judicial and other appointments are also made on behalf of the Queen in consultation with the head of the elected government.[16][17][18][19][20][20][21] Both the British [22] and Gibraltarian governments assert that Gibraltar has been effectively decolonised.[23][24][25][26]

Gibraltar nonetheless remains on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.[27] Spain opposes any attempt to remove it from this list[28] and Spanish commentators still commonly describe Gibraltar as a colony.[29][30]

The Parliament of Gibraltar is elected for a term of up to four years. The unicameral Parliament presently consists of seventeen elected members, and the Speaker who is not elected, but appointed by a resolution of the Parliament.[31] The Government consists of ten elected members. All local political parties oppose any transfer of sovereignty to Spain, instead supporting self-determination. The main UK opposition parties also support this policy and it is UK Government policy not to engage in talks about the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the consent of the people of Gibraltar.[32]

The 2007 election was contested by the GSD, GSLP-Liberal Alliance, the PDP and two independents. Two parties which fielded candidates in the 2003 election did not present candidates in the 2006 election; the Reform Party was wound up and Gibraltar Labour Party absorbed into the GSD in a merger in 2005. A new party, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) was formed in 2006 and fielded candidates in the 2007 election, but none were elected. Three political parties are currently represented in the Parliament: the governing Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), and two opposition parties - the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) and the Gibraltar Liberal Party which are in an electoral alliance and form a single parliamentary grouping. The head of Government is the Chief Minister (as of March 2010, Peter Caruana QC[33]).

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. After a ten-year campaign for 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.[34]

Geography[edit]

See also: Rock of Gibraltar, Bay of Gibraltar, and Strait of Gibraltar
The Rock of Gibraltar, West Side town area, 2006

The territory covers 6.843 square kilometres (2.642 sq mi). It shares a 1.2 km (0.75 mi) land border with Spain. On the Spanish side is the town La Línea de la Concepción, a municipality of Cádiz province. The part of Cádiz province next to Gibraltar is called Campo de Gibraltar, literally Gibraltar Countryside. 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 Westside, where the vast majority of the population lives. Gibraltar has no administrative divisions but is divided into seven Major Residential Areas.

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.[35]

The Rock itself is made of limestone and is 426 metres (1,398 feet) high. It contains many tunnelled roads, most of which are operated by the military and closed to the public.

Gibraltar's climate is Mediterranean/Subtropical with mild winters and warm summers. There are two main prevailing winds, an easterly one known as the Levante coming from the Sahara in Africa which brings humid weather and warmer sea and the other as Poniente which is westerly and brings fresher air in and colder sea. Its terrain consists of the 430-metre (1,411 ft)[36] high Rock of Gibraltar and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it. Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summers are generally dry.

A view from the Rock of Gibraltar looking north

Flora and fauna[edit]

See also: List of mammals of Gibraltar, List of birds of Gibraltar, and List of reptiles and amphibians of Gibraltar

Over 500 different species of flowering plants grow on The Rock. One of them, the Gibraltar candytuft (Iberis gibraltarica), is endemic to Gibraltar, being the only place in Europe where it is found growing in the wild. It is the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve. Among the wild trees that grow all around The Rock, olive and pine trees are some of the most common.

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.[37] 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. In 1944 British leader Winston Churchill was so concerned about the dwindling monkey population that he sent a message to the Colonial Secretary requesting that something be done about the situation.[38] Other mammals found in Gibraltar include rabbits, foxes and bats. Dolphins and whales are frequently seen in the Bay of Gibraltar. Migrating birds are very common and Gibraltar is home to the only Barbary Partridges found on the European continent.

Economy[edit]

Main article: Economy of Gibraltar
The barbary macaques form an integral part of Tourism in Gibraltar
The Rock of Gibraltar as seen from the northern end of Eastern Beach.

The British military traditionally dominated the economy of Gibraltar, with the naval dockyard providing the bulk of economic activity. 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's economy is dominated by four main sectors – financial services, internet gaming, shipping and tourism (including retail for visitors).[39]

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.[40]

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. Many of the large British high street chains have branches or franchises in Gibraltar including Marks & Spencer and Mothercare. Branches and franchises of international retailers such as Tommy Hilfiger and Sunglass Hut are also present in Gibraltar, as is the Spanish clothing company Mango.

Banking[edit]

See also: List of banks in Gibraltar

A number of British and international banks have operations based in Gibraltar. Jyske Bank claims to be the oldest bank in the country, based on Jyske's acquisition in 1987 of Banco Galliano, which began operations in Gibraltar in 1855. An ancestor of Barclays Bank, the Anglo-Egyptian Bank, entered in 1888, and Credit Foncier, now Credit Agricole Indosuez, entered in 1920.

In 1967, Gibraltar enacted the Companies (Taxation and Concessions) Ordinance, which provided for special tax treatment for international business. This was one of the factors leading to the growth of professional services such as private banking and captive insurance management. Gibraltar has several positive attributes as a financial centre, including a common law legal system and access to the EU single market in financial services. The Financial Services Commission, which was established by an ordinance in 1989 that took effect in 1991, regulates the finance sector. In 1997, the Department of Trade and Industry established its Gibraltar Finance Centre (GFC) Division to facilitate the development the financial sector's development.

Currently the FSC has licensed about 17 banks to provide full banking services in Gibraltar. Some banks are licensed by the EEA (European Economic Community) rather than the FSC and are subject to their home countries’ regulatory authorities.

Currency[edit]

Main article: Gibraltar pound

Under the terms of the 1934 Currency Notes Act, the Government of Gibraltar issues banknotes that are legal tender alongside Bank of England banknotes in Gibraltar.[41][42] A currency board issues these notes against reserves of sterling.[42][43][44] Clearing and settlement of funds is conducted in sterling, and Gibraltar banknotes in circulation bear the words "Pounds sterling".[45] Coins in circulation follow British models but have distinctive designs. Most retail outlets in Gibraltar unofficially accept the euro, though some payphones and the Post Office do not.[46]

Demography[edit]

Main article: Demographics of Gibraltar
Civilian population in British Gibraltar (censuses from 1725 to 2001)

Gibraltar is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, with a population of 29,286 estimated in 2008[47] 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.

Ethnic groups[edit]

One of the main features of Gibraltar’s population is the diversity of their ethnic origins. The demographics of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' racial and cultural fusion of the many European and non-European immigrants who came to The Rock over three hundred years. They are the descendants of economic migrants that came to Gibraltar after the majority of the Spanish population left in 1704.

The main ethnic groups, according to the origin of names in the electoral roll, are Britons (27%), Spanish (26%, mostly Andalusians but also some 2% of Minorcans), Genoese and other Italians (19%), Portuguese (11%), Maltese (8%), and Jews (3%). There is a large diversity of other groups such as Moroccans, Indians, French, Austrians, Chinese, Japanese, Polish and Danish.[48]

A census carried out in 2001[49] recorded the breakdown of nationalities in Gibraltar as 83.22% Gibraltarian, 9.56% "Other British", 3.50% Moroccan, 1.19% Spanish, 1.00% "Other EU".

Language[edit]

Main article: Languages of Gibraltar

The official language of Gibraltar is English, and it is used by the Government and in schools. 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. Arabic is spoken by the Moroccan community, as are Hindi and Sindhi by the Indian community of Gibraltar. Hebrew is also spoken by the Jewish community and the Maltese language is still spoken by some families of Maltese descent.

Gibraltarians often converse in Llanito (pronounced [ʎaˈnito]).[50] It is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular and unique to Gibraltar. 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 (Ladino). 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.[51] It also often involves code-switching to English.

Gibraltarians also call themselves Llanitos.

Religion[edit]

Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Europe in Europa Point.
Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Gibraltar's main religion is Christianity, as is natural for its historical position in the Iberian penunsula. The great majority (78%) of Gibraltarians belong to the Roman Catholic Church. The sixteenth century Saint Mary the Crowned is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar, and also the oldest Catholic church in the territory.

Due largely to the British presence, other Christian denominations are also present. They include the Church of England (7%), whose Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the cathedral of the Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe; the Gibraltar Methodist Church,[52] Church of Scotland, various Pentecostal and independent churches mostly influenced by the House Church and Charismatic movements, as well as two Plymouth Brethren congregations. There is also a ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque.

The second religion in size is Islam (4% of the population[53]). There are also a number of Hindu Indians, members of the Bahá'í Faith[54] and a long-established Jewish community.[55][56]

Education[edit]

Main article: Education in Gibraltar
Comparison of school structures in Gibraltar and England.

Education in Gibraltar generally follows the English system operating within a three tier system. Schools in Gibraltar follow the Key Stage system which teaches the National Curriculum. Gibraltar has fifteen state schools, one MOD school, one private school and one College of Further 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,[57] many in the UK.[citation needed] The Government of Gibraltar operates a scholarship/grant system to provide funding for students studying in the United Kingdom. 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. In 2008, there were 224 Gibraltarian students enrolled in UK universities.[3]

Health care[edit]

All Gibraltarians are entitled to free health care in public wards and clinics at the hospital and primary health care centre. 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. Dental treatment and prescribed medicines are free of charge for Gibraltarian students and pensioners.[58] First-line medical and nursing services are provided at the Primary Care Centre, with more specialised services available at St. Bernard's. Psychiatric care is provided by King George V Hospital.[59] 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.[citation needed]

Culture[edit]

Main article: Culture of Gibraltar
Tercentenary celebrations in 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. Other ethnicities include Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, and German. A few other Gibraltar residents are Jewish of Sephardic origin, North African, or Indians. British influence remains strong, with English being the language of government, commerce, education, and the media.

Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum is celebrated annually on Gibraltar National Day, 10 September. It is a public holiday, during which most Gibraltarians dress in their national colours of red and white and 30,000 similarly coloured balloons are released, to represent the people of Gibraltar. The 300th anniversary of Gibraltar's capture was celebrated in 2004 on Tercentenary Day, when in recognition of and with thanks for its long association with Gibraltar, the Royal Navy was given the freedom of the City and a human chain consisting of nearly the entire population dressed in red, white and blue, linked hands to encircle the Rock.

There exists a small amount of literary writings by native Gibraltarians. The first work of fiction was probably Héctor Licudi's 1929 novel Barbarita, written in Spanish.[60] It is a largely autobiographical account of the adventures and misadventures of a young Gibraltarian man. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, several 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 language plays La Lola se va pá Londre and Connie con cama camera en el comedor.[citation needed] In the 1990s, the Gibraltarian man-of-letters Mario Arroyo published Profiles (1994), a series of bilingual meditations on love, loneliness and death. Of late there have been 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[edit]

Gibraltarian cuisine is the result of a rich diversity of civilizations, from the Arabs to the Andalucian Spaniards and the British. The culinary influences include those from Malta, Genoa, Portugal and Andalusia. This marriage of tastes has given Gibraltar an eclectic mix of Arabic cuisine, Mediterranean and British cuisine. Calentita, a baked bread-like dish made with chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt and pepper, is considered Gibraltar's national dish.

Music[edit]

Main article: Music of Gibraltar

A number of local bands play original material and covers. 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.

Musicians from Gibraltar include Charles Ramirez, the first guitarist invited to play with the Royal College of Music Orchestra,[61], successful rock bands like Breed 77, Melon Diesel and Taxi. Albert Hammond,[62] 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.

Sport[edit]

Main article: Sport in Gibraltar

In 2007 there were eighteen Gibraltar Sports Associations with official recognition from their respective International Governing Bodies. Others, including the Gibraltar National Olympic Committee, have submitted applications for recognition which are being considered. The Government supports the many sporting associations financially. Gibraltar also competes in the bi-annual Island Games, which it hosted in 1995. Football is the most popular sport in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Football Association applied for full membership of UEFA, but their bid was turned down in 2007 in a contentious decision.[63] Cricket enjoys massive popularity in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar national cricket team recently won the European Cricket Championships. Rugby union is fairly popular, and Campo Gibraltar RFC now play in the Andalusian second division.

Communications[edit]

Main article: Communications in Gibraltar
Site of the first telephone exchange in City Mill Lane.

Gibraltar has a digital telephone exchange supported by a fibre optic and copper infrastructure. The main telephone operator, Gibtelecom, also operates a GSM network and is an Internet Service provider.

A local company Gibnet Limited, started the first Internet service in January 1996 and later changed its name to Sapphire Networks Limited.

Victorian Post Box of standard 1887 UK design in use in Gibraltar Old Town in 2008

International Direct 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 10 February 2007, when the telecom dispute was resolved. Gibraltar mobile and fixed service numbers are eight digits.

Dial-up, ADSL, and high-speed Internet lines are all available, as are some Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels. Local operator CTS is rolling out WiMAX. The TLD country code for Gibraltar is .gi, corresponding to Gibraltar's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code of GI.

The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation operates a television and radio station on UHF, VHF and medium-wave. The radio service is also Internet-streamed. Special events and the daily news bulletin are streamed in video.

The other local radio service is operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service which also provides a limited cable television network to HM Forces.

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[64] with daily editions six days a week. Panorama is published on weekdays, and Vox, 7 Days, The New People, and Gibsport are weekly.

Transport[edit]

The Cable Car.
Main article: Transport in Gibraltar

Within Gibraltar, the main form of transport is the car. 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.

Restrictions on transport introduced by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco closed the land frontier in 1969 and prohibited any air or ferry connections. In 1982, the land border was reopened. As the result of an agreement signed in Cordoba on 18 September 2006 between Gibraltar, the United Kingdom and Spain,[65] 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.[66] Restrictions on telephones were removed in 2007 and restrictions on movements at the airport were removed on 16 December 2006.[67][68]


Gibraltar maintains regular flight connections to London and Manchester. Scheduled flights to Morocco and Madrid proved unsustainable due to insufficient demand.

GB Airways operated a service between Gibraltar and London and other cities for many years. The airline initially flew under the name "Gibraltar Airways." In 1989, and in anticipation of service to cities outside the UK, Gibraltar Airways changed its name to GB Airways with the belief that a new name would incur fewer political problems. As a franchise, the airline operated flights in full British Airways livery. In 2007 GB Airways was purchased by EasyJet[69] who operate flights under their name from April 2008 when British Airways re-introduced flights to Gibraltar under their name. Monarch Airlines operate a daily scheduled service between Gibraltar and Luton. From September 2008 they operate a scheduled service to Manchester, UK. The Spanish national airline, Iberia, operated a daily service to Madrid which ceased due to lack of demand. In May 2009 Ándalus Líneas Aéreas opened a Spanish service.[70] This ceased operation in March 2010 [71] An annual return charter flight to Malta is operated by Maltese national airline, Air Malta.

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 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 to coincide with the building of a new airport terminal building with an originally estimated completion date of 2009,[72][73] although due to delays this is now more likely to be 2010 or even 2011.

Motorists, and on occasion pedestrians, crossing the border with Spain have been subjected to long delays and searches by the Spanish authorities.[74] Spain has closed the border during disputes or incidents involving the Gibraltar authorities, such as the Aurora cruise ship incident [75] and when fishermen from the Spanish fishing vessel Piraña were arrested for illegal fishing in Gibraltar waters.[76]

The most popular alternative airport for Gibraltar is Malaga Airport in Spain, some 120 km (75 mi) to the east, which offers a wide range of destinations, second to Jerez Airport which is however closer in proximity to Gibraltar.

Gibraltar receives a large number of visits from cruise ships, and the Strait of Gibraltar is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Passenger and cargo ships anchor in the port of Gibraltar. Also, a daily ferry links Gibraltar with Tangier, Morocco. The ferry between Gibraltar and Algeciras, which had been halted in 1969 when Franco severed communications with Gibraltar, was finally reopened on December 16, 2009, served by the Spanish company Transcoma.[77]

Police[edit]

Main article: Royal Gibraltar Police

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) is, along with the Gibraltar Customs, the principal civilian law enforcement agency in Gibraltar. It is the oldest police force in the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom, being formed on 25 June 1830, upon Gibraltar being declared a crown colony and in the wake of the creation of London's Metropolitan Police in 1829.

In general the Gibraltar force follows British police models in its dress and notably male constables and sergeants on foot patrol wear the traditional headgear of the British "bobby on the beat", correctly known as the custodian helmet. The helmet is traditionally made of cork covered outside by felt or serge like material that matches the tunic.

The force, whose name received the prefix "Royal" in 1992, currently numbers over 220 officers, who are divided into a number of units. These include CID, Drug Squad, Special Branch, Firearms Unit, Scene of Crime Examiners, Traffic Department, Marine Section, and Operations Division.

The current headquarters is at New Mole House Police Station, Rosia Road.

Military[edit]

Royal Navy base in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar's defence is the responsibility of the tri-service British Forces Gibraltar. In January 2007, the Ministry of Defence announced that the private company - SERCO - would provide services to the base. The announcement resulted in the affected trade unions striking.

  • The Royal Gibraltar Regiment provides the army garrison, based at Devils Tower Camp [78]. The regiment was originally a part-time reserve force but the British Army placed it on the permanent establishment in 1990. The regiment includes full-time and part-time soldiers recruited from Gibraltar, as well as British Army regulars posted from other regiments.
  • The Royal Navy maintains a squadron at the Rock. The squadron is responsible for the security and integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). The shore establishment at Gibraltar is called HMS Rooke after Sir George Rooke who captured the Rock for Archduke Charles (pretender to the Spanish throne) in 1704. Gibraltar's strategic position provides an important facility for the Royal Navy and Britain's allies. British and U.S. nuclear submarines frequently visit the Z berths at Gibraltar.[79] A Z berth provides the facility for nuclear submarines to visit for operational or recreational purposes, and for non-nuclear repairs. During the Falklands War, an Argentine plan to attack British shipping in the harbour using frogmen (Operation Algeciras) was foiled.[80] The naval base also played a part in supporting the task force sent by Britain to recover the Falklands.
  • 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.

The Rock is believed to be a SIGINT listening post.[81] Its strategic position provides a key GCHQ and National Security Agency location for Mediterranean and North African coverage.[82]

Town Twinnings[edit]

Current[edit]

Gibraltar is currently twinned with the following European cities:

Past[edit]

Gibraltar was once twinned with the following British town:

  1. ^ Gibraltar was captured on 24 July 1704, Old Style, and 4 August 1704, New Style
  2. ^ The treaty was signed on 31 March 1713, Old Style, and 11 April 1713, New Style - Peace and Friendship Treaty of Utrecht between France and Great Britain
  3. ^ a b Abstract of Statistics 2008
  4. ^ a b Informe sobre la cuestión de Gibraltar, Spanish Foreign Ministry (in Spanish)
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  9. ^ Maurice Harvey (1996). Gibraltar. A History. Spellmount Limited. pp. 51–52. ISBN 1-86227-103-8.
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  11. ^ Cahoon, Ben (2000). "Gibraltar". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
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  13. ^ Telegraph.co.uk, David Blair, Gibraltar makes plans for self-government, Daily Telegraph, 28 February 2002 "GIBRALTAR'S parliament approved an ambitious package of constitutional reform yesterday designed to give the colony almost complete self-government."
  14. ^ "Gibraltar". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 18 August 2009. Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and is self-governing in all matters but defence.
  15. ^ http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/constitution.php
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  62. ^ "Newsletter No" (PDF). Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society. 70 November 2004. Retrieved 2007-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ "UEFA snub the Rock". The Sun. 26 January 2007.
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  71. ^ Andalus drops Gibraltar
  72. ^ Government of Gibraltar. "Press Release: New Air Terminal, tunnel under the runway and new road leading to all parts of Gibraltar north of the runway" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-10-17. and images of the proposals: "Press Release: New Terminal Building" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-10-17.
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  74. ^ Frontier restrictions
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  76. ^ Fishermen block frontier
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  79. ^ "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 9 November 1999. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
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  83. ^ Searle, Dominique (12 May 2009). "Gibraltar-Madeira Twinning". Gibraltar Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  84. ^ "Gibraltar Twinned". madeira4u. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  85. ^ Searle, Dominique (27 May 2009). "Twinned". Gibraltar Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
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