GIBRALTAR

LOCATION AND COMMUNICATION LINKS

Gibraltar is situated at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It is recognised as the southernmost point of Europe. It is also strategically positioned at the western end of the Mediterranean, forming one of the ancient Pillars of Hercules. The approximate location is latitude 36°7 North and longitude 5°21 - West at its eastern end. The surrounding countries are Spain to the north and Morocco (North Africa) to the south, on the opposite side of the straits 24 km's away. There are regular air links with the United Kingdom, 2 or 3 flights a day and with Morocco twice a week. There is also a ferry link with Tangiers in Morocco.

GEOGRAPHY

The rock itself is a mass of Jurassic limestone which runs from north to south for a length of 6 kilometres and a width of 1.2 kilometres. The north end is a flat sandy isthmus by which the Rock is connected to the Spanish mainland. The Gibraltar/Spain border crosses the isthmus. The northern and eastern face are steep cliffs reaching a maximum altitude of 426 metres above sea-level. Recent reclamation schemes have added a much need 300,000 square metres to Gibraltar’s available land area.

The climate is Mediterranean, a warm, dry summer alternating with a mild wet winter. During the year the daily mean temperatures are within the range of 12°C in January and 24°C in August. Snow and frost are extremely rare. Annual rainfall averages 899 millimetres, however year to year fluctuations are high. A climatic phenomenon very typical of the Rock is the famous Levanter cloud. This is a dense cloud cover which forms on the top of the Rock when humid winds are deflected upwards along the sheer face of the eastern side.

POPULATION

The 1993 statistics show the size of the population at 28,051. This is mainly located in the centre of the Rock on the western side. On the other side of the rock is a small "village" population in Catalan Bay.

HISTORY

On the Rock, the past is a living reality. Colourful ceremonial events like the Changing of the Guard and the Ceremony of the Keys are performed exactly as they have been for centuries.

The story begins at least as early as the Stone Age, the first Neanderthal skull ever discovered was found here in 1848.

Seven hundred years BC, the Arab leader Tarik-JbnZeyad conquered the Rock and named it Gibel-Tarik (Tarik’s mountain). An important military and naval base, it changed hands many times during the following eight centuries of Arab occupation in Spain.

In the early part of the 14th century, Spanish forces occupied Gibraltar for 24 years, but in 1333 it reverted to Moorish control. The Rock became Spanish in 1462 when it was recaptured.

Change of ownership occurred in 1704 as Admiral Sir George Rooke, together with a British and Dutch force fired 15,000 rounds of shot and shells, and a landing by British marines and sailors, persuaded the city fathers to surrender.

Since that day, the Rock has played a part in some of the most famous episodes of British history. The Rock was besieged during the American War of Independence by the French and Spanish. The body of Nelson, preserved in a barrel of rum, was brought to Gibraltar after his victory at Trafalgar. Gibraltar also played a major part during the Second World War as a major naval base as it also did during the Falklands War.

GOVERNMENT

Constitutionally, Gibraltar is a Dependant Territory with internal self-government. The United Kingdom is responsible for defence, foreign affairs, financial stability and internal security. It has its own House of Assembly, which consists of fifteen elected members and two nominated members. The legal tender in Gibraltar is Gibraltar Government Sterling notes and coinage, although United Kingdom sterling is equally welcome.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Throughout its history, Gibraltar has been inhabited by a range of immigrants from differing cultural backgrounds, including Spanish, Genoese, Maltese, Moroccan, Jewish and Portuguese who combined with the British settlers to form a heterogeneous community. The religion practiced in Gibraltar is predominantly Roman Catholic, however, other religions are common.

The official language is English although a mixture of English and Spanish is spoken in casual conversation. This local dialect has adopted the term ‘Lanito’.

The education system is based on the United Kingdom system and all professions are required to have British qualifications.

ECONOMY

The economy is primarily dependent upon service industries and port facilities with income derived from tourism, trans-shipment and perhaps most importantly in terms of growth, the provision of financial services. A construction boom in the late eighties has resulted in a wide selection of high class office accommodation. A range of banks provide both domestic and offshore facilities on the Rock.

SPORT AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

In the world of sport Gibraltar is already recognised by many international bodies as a country in its own right and since the installation of our new facilities, important international events have already taken place in Gibraltar. For example, the Federation International Volleyball (FIVB) Small Nations Championships for Women and the European B Group Finals Club Champions in hockey.

We have also participated in the World Championships in athletics, swimming and the Special Olympics, the Commonwealth Games in shooting and volleyball, the European Championships in athletics, bodybuilding, fishing and swimming. We have also competed in the International Cricket Conference.

Out of a population of 30,000, there are already approx. 6,000 people who are active in different sports. There are over 35 sporting associations in Gibraltar using both public and private facilities.

The Victoria Stadium Sports Centre consists of a multi-purpose sports hail for all indoor sports. Outside there is a combined football/cricket pitch made of Omniturf surrounded by an athletics track and long jump pitch. A new hockey pitch has also recently been built along with new changing areas.

The two comprehensive schools are also used for their sporting facilities. There are also various Ministry of Defence facilities that can be used with prior arrangement.

The Gibraltar Sports Advisory Council was set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Sport. The purpose of this board is to provide financial assistance to all the associations to enable them to compete outside of Gibraltar as well as to provide funding to set up coaching facilities to achieve higher standards of performance.

During the last year for the build-up towards the Island Games, some new sports facilities were completed. Most noticeably was that of the swimming pool built by the government on newly reclaimed land. This is an indoor 25 metre 6 lane heated swimming pool.

Two new shooting ranges were completed. The rifle shooting range complex houses a 50 metre outdoor range with 18 firing points all equipped with automatic target changing machines built to International Shooting Union (ISU) standards. It also houses an indoor air rifle range.

The pistol shooting range is an outdoor 25 metre range with 10 shooting points with pneumatic turning targets.

The government is now involved in a project to refurbish some old buildings with a view to making them available for use by Gibraltar Sports Associations as an administrative and social centre.

Linda Alvarez