Gibraltar

Today Gibraltar remains a popular holiday and business travel destination, and gateway to southern Spain. The Colony has an intriguing culture and fascinating history along with the bonus of a tax-free environment. Gibraltar is full of surprises, from its unusual sand and limestone landscape, to its resident Bay dolphins and a botanical garden to equal the finest in the world.

Understanding the Geography

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory. It is located on the south of the Iberian Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The territory shares a land border with Spain to the North.

Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a British naval base.

The name of the Territory is a Spanish corruption of the original Arabic name Jabal Tariq, meaning "mountain of Tariq". It refers to the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad, who led the Moorish invasion of Iberia in 711. Earlier, it was known as Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as "Gib" or "the Rock".

Climate Conditions

The climate is typically Mediterranean with mild winters and warm dry summers, although May to September can get very hot and humid. There is no rainy season, but most rain falls in the winter months when the average temperature is 59°F (15°C). In summer the temperatures hover around 86°F (30°C).

Understand the Culture

People from Gibraltar refer to themselves as Gibraltarian or 'LLanito' pronounced Ya-ni-to. They are easily offended if referred to as Spanish. Remember that Gibraltar has been British longer than the USA united, and indeed longer than Gibraltar was previously occupied by Spain. Take an interest in why they feel British, but never point out anything that you may think they link to Spain. Other than food, climate and Language!

Although the popular view is that the Spanish Government are the cause of many problems to Gibraltar, there is no animosity to individuals and Spanish tourists and workers experience no problems.