Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Spain borders it to the north, and it is only 8.9 miles away from Morocco across the strait. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/gibraltar.htm It's location along the one narrow entrance to the Atlantic from the Mediterranean has made it a center for shipping and a strategic military position for centuries. Gibraltar has been at the center of conflicts and has changed hands between Spanish, Moorish, and British governments many times in the course of its history http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/history.php Great Gibraltar has been in British hands since 1713, but it's sovereignty is still disputed by Spain, which previously claimed it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stm Britain maintains a naval base in Gibraltar. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/patrol-vessels/gibraltar-squadron/

Gibraltar is a center for international banking and financial services, due to it's special status under UN regulations http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/business/business.php . Offshore banking accounts for a third of its GDP. http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/business/finance_centre.php In addition to being a trading center and naval outpost, Gibraltar is now a tourist destination. The Rock is a sightseeing destination, and Gibraltar averages about 300 days of sunlight a year, which draws people to its beaches. http://www.gibraltarinformation.com/climate-in-gibraltar.html

The name "Gibraltar" comes from the Arabs, who invaded Spain in the 8th century. The Arabs were the first to build a permanent settlement in Gibraltar. After the Spanish Reconquest, Gibraltar fell into Castillian hands in the 14th century. The town expanded under Spanish rule. 500 years later, the British captured the town during the War of Spanish Succession. http://www.idealspain.com/Pages/Information/GibHistory.htm It was officially ceded to England in the Treaty of Utrecht. http://www.gbc.gi/upload/pdf/Treaty%20of%20Utrecht.pdf30 England prized Gibraltar as a trading post, and established a naval base there. It's sovereignty has since been a source of conflict between England and Spain. Spain wants the area returned, and England refuses. Today, the majority of Gibraltar residents prefer to remain English citizens, and reject Spanish sovereignty. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stm31

Owing to its geographical position and status as a trade center, Gibraltar has a diverse demography. It is home to a mix of Britons, Spanish, Italians, Moroccans and Indians, among several others. Gibraltar residents value diversity and multi-ethnicity. Many Gibraltar residents speak "llanito," a creole of Spanish and English with other influences from Italian, Genoese, and Hebrew. http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Gibraltar.html#orientation

Gibraltar is a peninsula covering 6.5 square kilometers. It lies between the Mediterranean and Atlantic. http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcgibraltar.htm The topography of Gibraltar is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426 meter-tall limestone formation. The coast of northern Africa (Morocco) is visible from Gibraltar, as they are only separated by 8.9 miles (14.3 km) of water. It enjoys a subtropical climate, with an average temperature of 64.0F . http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/geography <ref>

• Rock of Gibraltar: a large limestone formation that dominates the area. http://www.gibraltar.gi/tourism/
• St. Michaels Cave: a cave in the Rock of Gibraltar that can be explored by the public and often hosts musical events. http://www.gibraltarinformation.com/g...
• Barbary apes: The only indegenous species of apes in Europe. They can be found in the wild on top of the Rock. http://www.iberianature.com/material/...
• Several public beaches, which are located around the peninsula. http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/be...
• Ibrahim al Ibrahim Mosque: The southermost mosque in Europe, representing Gibraltars strong Moorish heritage http://www.gibraltar.com/sightseeing/... 23

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