History
Gibraltar has a history stretching back over 100,000 years, making it one of the longest inhabited areas in the whole of Europe. Neanderthals occupied Gibraltar in prehistoric times and the settlements in the area are thought to be among the last before their extinction, 24,000 years ago. Recorded history began almost one thousand years before the birth of Christ, with the Phoenicians inhabiting the area. The Carthaginians and Romans also visited the area but it is thought they never permanently settled.
Gibraltar was conquered and settled by the Moors in 711AD. The Kingdom of Castile lost the territory on 1333 but recaptured it in 1462, subsequently making it part of the Kingdom of Spain. The Spanish ruled the province until 1704 when an Anglo-Dutch fleet captured it in the name of Hasburg ruler, Charles VI. Gibraltar was later conceded to the British, giving the United Kingdom a Mediterranean colony of great significance.
The following years would see Spain and the United Kingdom squabble of rule of the province through both diplomatic and military means. During the wars of the 18th century, Gibraltar was inundated by attacks that were successfully repulsed by the British forces. The colony grew very quickly in the 19th century as the British used it as a naval base. It also became a stop-off for ships travelling to India via the Suez Canal. Following the Spanish Civil War, Spanish dictator, Franco, reaffirmed Spain’s claim to the colony. Spain took their fight to the United Nations but both the British and the colony dwellers themselves both rejected Spain’s overtures.
Gibraltar became a very important port during the second world war as it allowed British ships to safely enter the Mediterranean. Negotiations and disagreements followed the war with General Franco cutting all communications and diplomacy with Gibraltar. To this day, the two countries still disagree over the issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty.
Population
Although very small, Gibraltar actually has one of the most densely populated land masses in the world. In 2008, it was discovered the density was 4290 people per square kilometre. There are 30,000 permanent residents with many more visiting the area for holidays. The demand for land in the province is so high that land reclamation is common with around 10% of the territory’s land coming from this process.
Gibraltar is a multi-national area with the main ethnic groups being British, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Maltese. There are also people from Austrian, Chinese, Japanese and Polish origins, living in the colony. Over 80% of the inhabitants of the territory are official Gibraltarians.
Places to Visit
Gibraltar offers masses of places to see and things to do. Its rich cultural and historical background, make it an area of huge significance.
The Upper Rock – The road leading to the Upper Rock is narrow, steep and winding so driving by car is not advised. The official rock tours use taxis and coaches or there are regular trips by cable car. The tour includes the nature reserve, St Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den.
St Michael’s Cave – The cave is a naturally formed grotto. The stunning stalagmite formations show the history of the cave, stretching back many centuries. The cave is an incredible venue for live concerts with its sound qualities, making it perfect for live classical music.
The Great Siege Tunnels – During the 18th century, a large network of tunnels was dug into the rock to aid defences. Covering a total of 32 miles, some sections are open to the general public.
Gibraltar, A City Under Siege – An exhibition of the terrible conditions soldiers faced whilst defending Gibraltar from incessant sieges. There is still 18th century graffiti visible as well as the old water supply systems.
Gibraltar Museum – Located in the town centre, just off Main Street, the museum charts the history of Gibraltar from the prehistoric age to the present day.
Botanical Gardens – Located by Grand Parade, the gardens offer a relaxed and subdued atmosphere to relax in. There are Dragon trees, Mediterranean stone pines and palms from the Atlantic islands to enjoy.
The Moorish Castle – Much of the remains of Gibraltar’s first castle can still be seen. Most of what can be seen today was rebuilt in the 15th century. Many of the original walls still stand, showcasing classic Moorish architecture. The most interesting features are the Gate House and the Tower of Homage.
The One Hundred Ton Gun – This is the best surviving example of the British ‘supergun’ and was nicknamed by the British forces that used it, ‘the Rockbuster.’ It would take a team of 35 men and a steam-operated hydraulic system to operate the massive weapon. The gun was able to fire a 2000 pound shell to a distance of 1500 feet. The steam needed to fire the gun required three hours to build up.
Cuisine
The food in Gibraltar is a unique mix of Andalucian, Spanish and British. The many international influences on the territory have made the cuisine unique in the area with other influences from Italy, Malta, Portugal and Genoa.
The popular local dish of Rosto consists of penne pasta in a tomato based sauce with mostly beef, carrots and mushrooms and topped with queso bola cheese. It is thought that the dish is a British take on the Italian arrosto dishes which mean roasted; the Italians use mainly pork, however. Fideos al horno is thought to be based on a Maltese dish and is made with macaroni and bolognese sauce. According to family tradition, the ingredients can change and may include egg and bacon. The dish is baked and topped with cheese. Although the main ingredient is pasta, the name is actually Spanish for ‘baked noodles.’
Calentita is a local bread based dish made from chickpea flour, olive oil and water. The name derives from the Spanish word, Caliente, which means warm or hot. It is thought the name caught on when street vendors would cry out ‘Calentita,’ informing potential customers the bread was fresh out of the oven. Calentita is the national dish of Gibraltar.
Accommodation
Gibraltar has severe land space restrictions and therefore there are very tight regulations when it comes to caravans and camping. Camping is prohibited all over the territory, although beach tents can be rented at Catalan Bay. Sleeping in caravans is not allowed anywhere in Gibraltar and a licence must be obtained from HM Customs, Gibraltar for a caravan to even be allowed within the province. There are, however, many campsites with all the necessary facilities just over the border in Spain.
There are a number of options for those considering self-catering. There are many studio apartments and luxury villas in the area as well as a large youth hostel, right in the centre of Gibraltar. There are also a number of stunning hotels that offer luxury, sports facilities and incredible views.
Weather
Gibraltar has a sub-tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The annual average temperature in the province is 18C with the average summer temperature sitting at around 30C. However, temperatures of nearly 40C are relatively common in July and August. The majority of Gibraltar’s rain falls in the winter months of January and February, however the average rainfall over the year is very low, particularly in the summer. The area is very popular with bathers and divers as the average sea temperature in the summer months is 22C.
