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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.

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The Treaty of Utrecht that established the Peace of Utrecht, rather than a single document, comprised a series of individual peace treaties signed in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713. Concluded between various European states, it helped end the War of the Spanish Succession. The treaties were concluded between the representatives of Louis XIV of France and Philip V of Spain on the one hand, and representatives of Queen Anne of Great Britain, the Duke of Savoy, and the United Provinces on the other.

Spain's European empire was divided by the treaty: Savoy received Sicily and parts of the Duchy of Milan, while Charles VI (the Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria), received the Spanish Netherlands, the Kingdom of Naples, Sardinia, and the bulk of the Duchy of Milan. In addition, Spain ceded Gibraltar and Minorca to Great Britain and agreed to give to the British the Asiento, a valuable monopoly slave-trading contract. (more...)

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Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton, KBE, RM (born 1948) is a British Royal Marines career military officer, and the Governor of Gibraltar since September 2006.

Born in 1948, he was educated at Eton College and the University of East Anglia. Fulton joined the Royal Marines in 1972. After serving as a junior officer for a number of years he was appointed to the Staff College at Warminster. From 1983-1985 he was a Company Commander in 42 Commando followed by appointments on the staffs of HQ Training, Reserve and Special Forces Royal Marines and the Commandant General Royal Marines in the Ministry of Defence. (more...)

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« 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)

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