Gibraltar is located on the Iberian Peninsula at the Strait Gibraltar . The area has been in British possession since 1704 after Spain lost the War of the Spanish Succession. Gibraltar's history is full of war and threats of war as the area is considered to have great strategic importance. Whoever owns Gibraltar also controls the gateway to the Mediterranean.
Attractions in Gibraltar
A must, of course, is to hike up the Rock Gibraltar and look out over the sea. At Europe Point, the southernmost tip of the cliff, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, you can see all the way to Africa on a clear day.
The famous the monkeys of Gibraltar reside at the “Upper Rock” (at the “Ape’s Den”). These are the only wild monkeys (Barabary monkeys) in Europe and no one knows for sure how or when they arrived on the rock. The monkeys are the strongest symbol of all of Gibraltar and were under the protection of the British army until 1991.
You can go on a dolphin safari year-round in Gibraltar as the Bay Gibraltaris rich in dolphins, whales and other interesting sea creatures. If you are lucky you may even see dolphins swimming alongside the boat on the ferry to Tangier. There are several different boats that offer a trip to see dolphins. These trips cost 100-200 kronor and take one to one and a half hours depending on where the dolphins are. We went on a fantastic little boat trip with Gibraltar Blue Dolphin Safari Group which has its office right by the marina. Here you can see a underwater film from our magical trip!
In addition, Gibraltar is home to many different kinds of exotic birds which has transformed the area into something of a paradise for birdwatchers.
The stalactite cave St. Michael's is definitely worth a trip if you like caves.
There are lots of good museums in Gibraltar. Among others Gibraltar Museum which uses various films and objects to depict the exciting history of the rock. Everything from bones from the Neanderthals who lived here up to 30,000 years ago to the Allied war operations that were based out of Gibraltar during World War II.
Shopping in Gibraltar. The city is not big, but Main Street still offers a lot of shopping from well-known brands. The prices, however, are not really worth cheering for. At the beginning of Main Street are a number of pharmacies where tourists flock to buy medicines that are otherwise prescription within the EU. However, keep in mind that customs can have major objections to the import of prescription medicines... Alcohol and cigarettes are also cheap in Gibraltar.
Facts Gibraltar
- Population: 29,000.
- Currency: British pound and Gibraltarpound (most establishments accept Euros, albeit at a poor exchange rate).
- Area: 6.5 square kilometers.
- Language: English is the official language, but the majority of Gibraltaralso speak Spanish.
- Country code: 350.
