The Rock of Gibraltar sits at the southernmost tip of
Europe with a land frontier to Central Spain on its northern front. It rests at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The stretch of water that separates Gibraltar from north
Africa is called the Strait of Gibraltar and throughout history has played a strategic part in battles fought and won to control the western Mediterranean seaways. Intrinsically linked with the sea, Gibraltar is one of the busiest Ports of Call in the Mediterranean. In the ancient times, right through the age of empires and in the global conflicts of our own century, Gibraltar has stood guard over this Mediterranean, its unique position making it the focus of a continuous struggle for power. This spectacular rock monolith covers a land area of about six square kilometres.
Steeped in history dating back to the glacial period an official rock tour is the ideal introduction to Gibraltar’s past and highlights include: St Michael’s Cave, the Barbary apes' den, the Moorish Castle and the City Under Siege exhibition. Close to the top, of The rock, one can encouter these apes. A good tour guide can have them on your back or eating out of your hand in no time.
Almost totally surrounded by sea, Gibraltar has five beaches - Catalan Bay, Camp Bay, Eastern Beach, Sandy Bay and Little Bay. Water sports play a large part in Gibraltarian life and centre around its three marinas, Sheppard's Marina, Marina Bay and Queensway Quay Marina. Diving, sailing and dolphin watching are widely enjoyed.
Gibraltar takes holidays at
Easter, two days at
Christmas''' and one for New Year. There's also '''Commonwealth Day on 12 March, the Queen's Birthday in mid-June and
Gibraltar National Day on 10 September. Gibraltar's modest program of annual events includes a flower show in April, an arts and sporting festival which runs through most of May and an annual fair which straddles
National Day in September. There's also a drama festival in early December. The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society hosts 'rambles' on the last Sunday of each month, focusing on various natural features of the territory.
Last edited by Admin (16:51, 05 January 2006)
