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Gibraltar, colloquially known as The Rock or Gib, is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Spain to the north; Morocco is a short distance over the sea to the south. It has a population of 30,000 people.
Gibraltar is a unique place for the curious traveler: a British community on the Iberian Peninsula, separated by a narrow gap of the sea from Africa. The historic military legacy has created a veritable labyrinth inside "the Rock" itself, with many secret internal roads and tunnels worth exploring. It is also worth climbing the Rock for its views and famous monkeys.
Gibraltar, colloquially known as The Rock or Gib, is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Spain to the north; Morocco is a short distance over the sea to the south. It has a population of 30,000 people.
Gibraltar is a unique place for the curious traveler: a British community on the Iberian Peninsula, separated by a narrow gap of the sea from Africa. The historic military legacy has created a veritable labyrinth inside "the Rock" itself, with many secret internal roads and tunnels worth exploring. It is also worth climbing the Rock for its views and famous monkeys.
People from Gibraltar refer to themselves as Gibraltarian or 'Llanito' pronounced Ya-ni-to. Even though the vast majority of Gibraltarians speak Spanish (with a local dialect), they are easily offended if referred to as Spanish because they regard themselves as Gibraltarians and are very proud of their identity. In fact, Gibraltarians have voted overwhelmingly to remain British in several referendums. Some Gibraltarians also feel sensitive to the erroneous use of the term 'colony' due to its connotations of being a deposited population or ruled by a foreign country or lacking in self-government, none of which apply to Gibraltar either now or historically. Additionally, the term 'colony' is legally incorrect; it is a 'British Overseas Territory'. The term 'colony' wasn't used in reference to Gibraltar until the 1830s, at which time there were other places that were colonies and Gibraltar was grouped with them under the term colonies, despite the circumstances being different.
Although the popular view is that the Spanish Government is the cause of many problems concerning Gibraltar, there is no animosity directed by Gibraltarians towards Spanish individuals in general; Spanish tourists and workers experience no problems. Recent airport agreements have opened up the relationship Gibraltar has with Spain.
Gibraltar is less than 7 square kilometers, so much of it can be seen on foot. Bear in mind, though, that some of the roads (especially up to the Upper Rock) are very steep. Taxis will take the strain out of the climbs, and all the taxi drivers seem to know all the Barbary macaques by name. Additionally, buses can be a cheap option to expedite things.
Though Gibraltar's area is small - it is long and thin, so distances can be a bit further than expected. Buses can be paid in pounds or euros. For at least some routes, the option is either for a single journey or a pass good for unlimited rides that day. If planning to use the bus more than once, a one day pass is best. Of highest interest to the traveler is bus route 2, which in addition to going by the cable car station, is the only bus that visits Europa Point - the southernmost point of Gibraltar, and the one with all the views of Africa.
Stop by the tourist office in Casemates Square (if entering by land, this is immediately after passing through Landport tunnel). The tourist office will give you a map and recommend the following basic itinerary. Take bus #2 free of charge from Market Place (around the corner of the tourist office) to Europa Point. Take pictures and enjoy Europa Point with the rest of the tourists. Then take the bus back towards Market Place but get off at the cable cars. Ask the driver for help, but you will see the cable cars before the stop. Take the cable cars up to see the Upper Rock and Nature Preserve. Then take the cable car down and walk the main street back to Landport tunnel.
Cable cars run from 9.30 AM until 5.45 PM to the Upper Rock, but the last car up the hill might leave as early as 17.00 PM.
There are a number of kosher restaurants, bakeries and minimarkets in Gibraltar. Just ask around, and someone will point you in the right direction. Gibraltar is not the only place you could stock up on kosher food when you're travelling in the Costa del Sol; there are many kosher shops and restaurants in Marbella, Torremolinos and Málaga.
Tourists should be aware that the Barbary macaques are wild animals and do bite. It is advisable not to feed the Barbary macaque, despite encouragement from irresponsible taxi drivers. In addition, there are kiosks recklessly selling 'monkey food', further encouraging this. It is indeed illegal (hefty fines are in force) and bad for their health. Never try to pick up a baby Barbary macaque - its mother will not be happy, and neither will you. If you are bitten by a Barbary macaque, you will require hospital treatment. Whilst the Barbary macaques are rabies-free they can infect you with hepatitis, and they are most aggressive on the top of the rock, as the most successful animals claim the uppermost reaches of the rock, with their less successful fellows being shoved down the rock and the social pecking order.
Gibraltar's official language is English, although most local people also speak Spanish.
That said, most locals converse in Llanito, which is essentially a mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English, a creole unique to Gibraltar. Also, keep in mind that many businesses such as cafes and restaurants employ monolingual Spanish workers from across the border. In restaurants, it may not be that different from dining in Spain, language-wise.
LOCAL TIME
9:50 pm
May 24, 2022
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The Rock of Gibraltar , as the locals call it, is a special place full of legends. It has great energy. It is visible for many tens of kilometers. It attracts tourists and travelers from around the world. It is impossible not to fall in love with this place when you see the silhouette... |
The whole
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Exiting the port, the tourists (6 million per year for 4 square miles!) are greeted by a sculpture depicting the meeting of women and children, who were evacuated to England during the Second World War, and came... |
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We are moving along the street to a funicular, the... |
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Here you can see Europe, Africa far away and a small Spanish village in the foreground.
Here are mountains... |
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