Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Capital city description
Gibraltar, the capital city of British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar, is home to mixed Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, British, Moroccan, Indian, and Andalusian descent. Gibraltar is home to many fascinating attractions. The 56km (35mi) of tunnels weave through its Rock and its famous Barbary apes. The Rock of Gibraltar dominates the landscape of Gibraltar. The limestone ridge rises to 426 meters before plunging into sheer cliffs on the eastern and northern sides. The upper Rock’s nature reserve offers breathtaking views of the town and sea below. The reserve is also home to the only free-living primates on the continent, the famous Barbary apes.
The territory’s first lighthouse stands at its southern tip, known as Europa Point. A statue of the Virgin and Child was erected there in the 15th century. And the site is also home to the Christian Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.
Climate
The climate of Gibraltar, a small British territory in southern Spain, is a subtropical climate, with mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers. In August, the average high temperature is 25°C, only falling to about 14°C in January/ February. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter months. Gibraltar experiences two prevailing winds - the Levante from North Africa brings hot, humid air, and the Poniente blows in from the Atlantic west bringing colder air.
Languages spoken
Gibraltar's most widely spoken languages are English and Spanish. English is the official language, while Spanish is their native language.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- Gibraltar is home to many Barbary macaques, Barbary macaques are sometimes referred to as Barbary apes, but they are, in fact, monkeys with the vestigial tail. They're not only Gibraltar's cultural mascot; they're a huge tourist draw. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where you will find wild monkeys.
- The famous couple John Lennon and Yoko Ono tied the knot in Gibraltar. It was a favorite wedding in 1969.
- The total length of Gibraltar roads is 18 mi (29 km) only. At the same time, about 31 mi (50 km) of tunnels are laid through local rocks.
- Gorham's Cave, located in a sea-level cave in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, is one of the newest additions to Unesco's ever-expanding list, inscribed in 2016.
- Gibraltar appears in two James Bond films.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- A unique Gibraltarian custom is having tea even on a hot summer’s day at the beach, accompanied by a Japonesa (local cake) delivered to the beach.
- Gibraltarian breakfast could be a full of English breakfast, or a toast with olive oil, tomato & Spanish ham.
- Scolding Gibraltarian young citizens is not accepted in the country, even of severe faults. (www.orangesmile.com)
Popular universities
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| University of Gibraltar | Established in 2015, the University of Gibraltar is a public university in Gibraltar. It offers its students high-quality, in-person teaching and UK-aligned standards in a unique, safe and multicultural location. The range of the disciplines provided for research and study include Business & Management, History & Culture, Education, Natural Sciences & Environment, Health & Sport Sciences, and Responsible Gaming. Several business-led professional courses are also offered, including Accountancy, Gibraltar Tax, and Law. | |
Festivals & Events
Three Kings Cavalcade
Date: 5th January
The Three Kings Cavalcade is a traditional event annually on the 5th of January. A spectacular parade led by the Three Kings themselves, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, the parade of floats, bands, and walking groups will make their way from Casemates’ Square.
Every year, clubs and associations, public services departments, and private companies prepare for months to compete for the prizes for the best floats. There were Cycling Santas, a pipe band, Harry Potter, World of Minecraft, Miss Gibraltar, football fever, and many more fun activities to entertain the crowd during the festival. It is one of the significant cultural and social events that has been continuously observed since 1957.
Gibraltar International Chess Festival
Date: Between January and February
The Gibraltar International Chess Festival is an annual chess tournament held between January and February at the four-star Caleta Hotel in Gibraltar.
Almost 60 Grand Masters participate in the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments, Gibraltar Chess Festival, whose final event boasts 240 players worldwide.
10th September
Date: Gibraltar National Day
The most important festival, Gibraltar National Day, is held annually on September 10 to commemorate Gibraltar's first referendum of 1967. This special event typically begins with a children's fancy dress competition and many street parties and musical performances.
There are also several short speeches by local and visiting UK MPs and other dignitaries. The day-long celebration culminates with a spectacular fireworks display released from the detached mole in Gibraltar Harbour at night, followed by a rock concert.
Gibraltar International Boat Show
Date: April
Gibraltar International Boat Show is an exhibition of massive vessels. Plenty of activities is planned for the show days for boat lovers of all ages.
Gibraltar’s police and navy display their latest ships. At the same time, the water zone at the Ocean Village Marina offers dolphin watching tours, canoe racing, and scuba diving lessons.
Gibraltar Music Festival
Date: September
Gibraltar Music Festival, also called MTV Presents Gibraltar Calling, is a famous pop music festival held annually in September at the Victoria Stadium. The festival features mixed popular genres from indie to reggae offered by well-known bands and performers.
Gibraltar Spring Festival
Date: Between May and June
The Gibraltar Spring Festival is a multicultural event marking the arrival of summer, held over three weeks between May and June. The festival hosts dance shows, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and concerts and ends with the Food Festival.
Attractions / Top Sights
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Rock of Gibraltar
The enormous Rock of Gibraltar dominates the British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar, located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula stretches 1,398ft into the sky. It offers some quite magnificent views of the coast and the town, creating a stunning panoramic sight that it was believed one of the two Pillars of Hercules, the other being Mons Abyla above Ceuta. It is a famous landmark in Gibraltar.
Additionally, the Rock of Gibraltar houses miles of underground tunnels, the earliest of which were dug during the 1779–83 Great Siege of Gibraltar.
Gibraltar’s tunnels
When to visit: Spring or Autumn
The most significant of Gibraltar’s tunnels, the Great Siege Tunnels, was constructed in 1779 and 1783 during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.
According to history, the construction began towards the end of the siege on the orders of the Governor of the territory, General Eliot. They built them to install guns into the terrain of the Rock. Nowadays, the tunnels are a significant tourist attraction in Gibraltar.
Europa Point
When to visit: In spring and Autumn
Lies at the southerly point of Gibraltar's peninsula is Europa Point. It occupies the most southerly tip of Gibraltar and offers scenic views of the north coast of Morocco, which lies just 21km (13mi) away across the Straits. Europa Point houses a historic 19th-century Trinity Lighthouse, the old chapel of Nuestra Señora de Europa (the Shrine of our Lady of Europe), and the impressive Mosque of The Custodian of the Holy Mosques.
The area is also where you'll find the impressive Harding Battery, a restored fortification established in 1859. It's also home to the Nun's Well, an ancient underground water reservoir.
Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque
When to visit: In spring and autumn
The Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, also known as the King Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Mosque or Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is one of the largest mosques in non-muslim countries. It sits in front of Europa Point at the far end of the Keighley Tunnel.
The stunning building was a gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and took two years to build at the cost of around £5 million. The combination of an elegant minaret and the imposing mass of the Rock makes it one of the favorite tourists' spots in Gibraltar. The mosque complex also contains a school, library, and lecture hall.
Barbary Macaques
When to visit: Spring
One of the top tourist sights in Gibraltar is the endangered species Barbary macaques, native to Morocco and the only monkeys living wild anywhere in Europe. Legend has it that if the apes ever leave Gibraltar, so too will the British.
About 230 macaques live on the upper Rock of Gibraltar, where you can find the famous Apes' Den. Also, they venture into the town from time to time, so watch your belongings. Feeding is strictly prohibited. A great way to ensure you get to see the monkeys, as well as the colony's top tourist attractions, is to join a Gibraltar Rock Tour.
St. Michael's Cave
When to visit: Spring
The surprising St. Michael's Cave is the largest of the island's more than 150 caves, lies at least 274 meters above sea level, and is crammed full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. First recorded in AD 45 and known to have sheltered Neanderthals more than 40,000 years ago.
During excavation work in WWII, the Lower St. Michael's Cave was discovered, containing many more equally breathtaking chambers and a small underground lake. The most extensive area of the cave, the Upper Hall, is connected via five passages to a smaller hall where you'll see spectacular drops between 12 and 45 meters. Some smaller chambers, some reaching 76 meters, are accessible via tiny holes.
Ocean Village
When to visit: Summer
Located on the west side of Gibraltar, Ocean Village is an excellent neighborhood with a mixed-use marina, home to 316 residential apartments, over 250 marina berths, and extensive upscale business accommodation.
The current recreational facilities within the overall complex include two casinos, numerous eateries, bars, and the Sunborn Yacht Hotel. The casinos offer a choice of 250 jackpot slots, 80-seat poker, and roulette. The village houses trendy international restaurants offering Italian, Asian, and South American cuisine.
Main Street’s Convent
When to visit: In summer
Built in 1531, Once a convent of Franciscan friars, situated towards the southern end of Main Street, is one of Gibraltar’s most ancient buildings, Main Street’s Convent. It retained its name after 1728, though, when it was converted into the official residence of the Governor of Gibraltar.
Historically, a former convent is said to be one of the most haunted public buildings in Europe. A Lady in Grey (a Spanish nun who was walled in alive in one of the rooms by her father) is said to roam the corridors and set off alarms in the middle of the night.