Portal:Gibraltar

« The Gibraltar Portal »

Gibraltar is a self-governing British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The territory shares a border with Spain to the north. Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base.

The name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal Tāriq (جبل طارق), meaning "mountain of Tariq", or from Gibel Tāriq, meaning "rock of Tariq". It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad, who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock.

The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major issue of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain requests the return of sovereignty, ceded by Spain in perpetuity in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht. The overwhelming majority of Gibraltarian strongly oppose this, along with any proposal of shared sovereignty.

« Selected article »

The Rock of Gibraltar (sometimes called the Pillar of Hercules or by its Latin name, Calpe) is a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar, off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 426 metres (1,396 feet) high. The Rock is Crown property of the United Kingdom, and borders Spain. The sovereignty of Gibraltar was transferred to the Kingdom of Great Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 after the War of the Spanish Succession. Most of the Rock's upper area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 250 Barbary Macaques, commonly known as 'apes'; they are the only wild monkeys found in Europe. These macaques, as well as a labyrinthine network of tunnels, attract a large number of tourists each year.

In ancient times the Rock of Gibraltar was one of the Pillars of Hercules and was known to the Greeks as Mons Calpe, the other pillar being Mons Abyla on the African side of the Strait. The Rock of Gibraltar marked the limit to the known world and to pass beyond it was to sail to certain destruction over the bottomless waterfall at the edge of the world. (more...)

« Selected picture »

« Selected biography »

General Sir Alexander John Godley KCB, KCMG (1867-1957) was a First World War general and served as Governor of Gibraltar. He is best known for his role as commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and British XXII Corps, although he was also Commander of the New Zealand Defence Force, and had been in 1910, when he was appointed on the advice of Lord Kitchener. During the Battle of Gallipoli he commanded the New Zealand and Australian Division.

Alexander Godley was born in Chatham, Kent, England, on 4 February 1867, the son of William Godley, a British Army Captain of Irish heritage. He attended Sandhurst Military Academy and, after graduating in 1886, was commissioned in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He married Louisa Fowler in 1898 before serving in the Boer War. During his time in South Africa, Godley served with the Irish Guards. (more...)

« Selected quote »

« Did you know... »

• ... that Gibraltar's St. Michael's Cave (pictured), prepared as an emergency hospital during World War II, at present contains an auditorium and receives almost a million visitors a year?
• ... that Gibraltarian pop rock band Taxi is made up of three of Melon Diesel's former members and write songs in Spanish only despite their being British?
• ...that the Gibraltar Football Association had their UEFA membership application blocked by Spain due to their claim on the territory?
• ...that Gibraltarian degree level students studying in a UK university receive a full scholarship from the Government of Gibraltar?
• ...that Gibraltar passports are full British passports which are particularly issued to Gibraltarians and only differ in some wording?
• ...that the cuisine of Gibraltar includes Maltese, Genoese and Portuguese culinary influences?

« Recent news »

• 10 October - Following severe gale force winds measuring 11 on the Beaufort scale, the bulk carrier MV Fedra ran aground on rocks at Europa Point, and broke in two. The crew were safely rescued, but some of the fuel oil escaped in the very bad weather. The Captain was later arrested.
• 22 September - It was announced that the remaining Iberia flights to Madrid would cease operation at the end of September due to "economic reasons", namely, lack of demand.
• 13 February - Gibraltar Football Association to play the semi-professional footballers of England, Wales and Scotland in a 'Home' Nations quadrangular tournament at the end of May. (Gibraltar Chronicle)
• 10 February - The New Flame's No. 5 cargo hold floods due to stormy weather conditions in the strait, resulting in further sinking. (Gibfocus)
• 6 February - Leader of the Opposition, Joe Bossano, appears as a witness before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons in London. (Gibfocus)

« Categories »

« Topics »

« Related portals »

« Things you can do »

« WikiProjects »

« Associated Wikimedia »