Rock of Gibralter

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Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Penninsula.The Strait of Gibraltar’s narrows are ten miles wide and thirty miles long (18km x 55km). The territory shares a border with Spain to the north. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock and sometimes is also called The Pillar of Hercules. There are about 28,000Eenglish nationals living in the city at the base of The Rock.

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ROCK OF GIBRALTAR AFRICA EUROPE ATLANTIC OCEAN MEDITERRANEAN SEA SATELLITE VIEW

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BAY OF GIBRALTAR AND BAY OF ALGECIRAS ROCK OF GIBRALTAR

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EASTERN SIDE OF THE ROCK

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WESTERN SIDE OF THE ROCK

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THE BORDER BETWEEN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR. MOST OF THE PEOPLE CROSS BY FOOT AND PASSPORTS ARE CHECKED.

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The "Rock" is really a big chunk of limestone promontory

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A road is going around and you can drive up to mid height of the rock. On your way there is the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque. The building was a gift from King Fahd of Saudia Arabia at a cost of around $9 million. It was officially inaugurated on 1997.

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On the same area a lighthouse stands guard

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Another attraction on this road is the Saint Michael Cave. This Cave was believed to be bottomless, probably giving birth to the story that Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage over 15 miles (24 Km) long under the Strait of Gibraltar.

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Gibraltar is where the British May Reign, but the Monkeys Rule. Legend has it that as long as the Barbary apes roam the rock of Gibraltar, the territory will remain safely under British rule. The British have embraced this particular piece of folklore. Not even Churchill dared to disregard it. In 1944 the Rock's monkey population was dwindling. He ordered a shipment of Barbary macaques from Morocco. There are now nearly 230 tailless Barbary monkeys on Gibraltar, and they do not merely live on the Rock so much as dominate it.

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The monkeys do have a dedicated home, an ape den. But they are free to stray, and they do so, mostly in a quest for Kit-Kat bars, shady spaces, fruit trees, swimming pools and human toys. They have a special affinity for the purses, shiny cameras and plastic shopping bags that tourists tote around.

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Do you want to be my friend?

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The monkeys do their best to charm and distract before making off with the loot. They have learned to smile in front of cameras and mimic snapping a picture; they jump on the heads of tourists for a laugh and wait for their treats; they have even figured out how to unwrap candy bars. One of their favorite tricks is swiping ice cream cones from children, leaving behind a trail of crumbs and tears. (Not surprisingly, the monkeys now suffer from tooth decay). Nobody is supposed to feed or touch the monkeys, doing so which carries a fine of nearly $1,000. The last time someone was punished for the offense, though, was 1918.

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Parking reserved for Monkeys

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I am watching you

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Family council

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Even on the hard rocks wild flowers make their magical appearance

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With the cable car you can reach to the top of the rock

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The city viewed from the top of the mountain

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Gibraltar is also an important port

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The top of the mountain has two peaks. An observatory is located on one of them.

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The other side of the peak

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Only the birds can travel directly from one peak to another

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Africa seen from Europe at the top of Gibraltar Rock

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Monument near the border crossing dedicated to the Spanish workers in Gibraltar. The bicycle perhaps indicates the lack of parking spaces in the city.

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The Prudential Insurance Company has its logo, "Strong as the Rock of Gibraltar" and its motto "With Prudential you own a piece of the Rock". One of Prudential's CEO, even put his face on the rock!

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My good friends the monkeys and I, hope you had a good time visiting Gibraltar. See you next time in other places. Presentation and Pictures (some from Internet) by Dan Calistrat dcalistrat@aol.comMusic: "I am a Rock" sung by Simon and Garfunkel