Gibraltar, or "the Rock" as the 30.000 locals call it, is a tiny 6 km2 area in the south of Iberia, in ancient
times known as the northern
Pillar of Hercules.
The 426 meters high mountain sits at the
Strait of Gibraltar and controls access
to the Mediterranean Sea. Because of this strategic position, Gibraltar has been contested since 1000 BC, but from
1713 onwards, the
Rock is firmly in British hands.
Early occupiers of Gibraltar were the
Neanderthals, who lived here until 25000 years ago
when they finally died out.
A colony of
Barbary Macaques are a major tourist attraction but locals regard them as a nuisance.
Legend has it that as long as these pesky monkeys roam the Rock, it will remain British.
Today Gibraltar is a British Overseas
Territory with a relaxed tax system that boosts the flourishing financial services.
At the Brexit referendum in 2016, Gibraltar
overwhelmingly voted Remain, but the
future status is still uncertain, it could become part of
Schengen or just a third country with
a hard border with the EU.
We visited Gibraltar in November 2013.
Gibraltar downtown
make my day....
looking down to the Port of Gibraltar
the Victorian Cannon in the Great Siege Tunnel
inside St Michael's cave
the modern world side of the Pillars of Hercules monument
really?
the local dish in the Star Bar is fish and chips
the Star Bar claims to be Gibraltar's oldest pub
but another one checks out our car.
on our way to the border we notice that "the Rock" creates its own weather
at the Jews Cemetery Battery viewpoint the guide explains the panorama of Gibraltar Bay
a Barbary Macaque poses for the camera
the Gibraltar Rock rises 426 meters above sea level
we are going back to Spain
the runway of Gibraltar airport sits on reclaimed land, which Spain claims is not covered by the treaty of 1713
