Gibraltar Beachside Apartment
GIB - BITS
BRITAIN IN THE SUN
Guide Book
World famous the Rock of Gibraltar stands at the gateway of the Mediterranean. It offers year round sun, great beaches, fascinating history, marvelous views, duty free shopping, fine dining, adventure sports, whale and dolphin watching, bird watching, diving, watersports and other interesting activities. Gibraltar is also a gateway to Spain and Morocco. Local travel agents can book a variety of excursions.
Currency is Gibraltar Pounds and Sterling, these have the same value. Gibraltar electricity is the same voltage as the UK, standard UK three pin plugs are used in the apartment.
The sun shines in Gibraltar all year round reaching 30 plus degrees in the high summer months.
As a British overseas territory, the sole official language of Gibraltar is English, and it is used by the Government and in schools. Many of Gibraltar's linguistic influences come from its neighbours, Spain and Morocco. Most locals are bilingual, also speaking Spanish, due to Gibraltar's proximity to Spain. Most Gibraltarians converse in Llanito, their vernacular which is mostly based on Andalusian Spanish, but greatly influenced by other Mediterranean languages.
Most of the Rock's upper area is covered by a nature reserve which is home to around 230 Barbary Macaques, the famous apes of Gibraltar. These are the only wild apes or monkeys found in Europe. WARNING ! Do not feed the apes. There is a huge fine which will be imposed if you are caught. watch your personal belongings as the apes will steal anything they can get hold of. Bags and sun glasses are particularly attractive to them, as are carrier bags.
As a British colony Gibraltar has many references to its British heritage; pubs, red mail and telephone boxes, police helmets, fish and chips, Marks and Spencers and BHS (British Home Stores), to name but a few.
Gibraltar... the perfect place to unwind, kick back and enjoy the tranquility that is Sandy Bay
Going back into history, who would have thought that a country originally named 'Jebel Tarik' by Moslem general, Tarik ibn Ziyad, who began his initial conquest of Spain in 711 AD, could end up being so intrinsically British! In 1704, the English and Dutch marines landed and captured the Rock. It was ceded to Britain by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Modern day Gibraltar is a surviving part of the British Empire and a Crown Colony fiercely proud of its British ties.
Dolphins and other marine mammals, including Pilot and Killer Whales and an occasional Sperm Whale visit the waters surrounding the Rock. There are many fascinating diving sites, with a number of sunken wrecks to explore. For bird watchers Gibraltar has a variety of local and migatory birds. During the migration period thousands of birds visit Gibraltar when heading to and from Africa