With 30,000 residents, of which 20,000 are “Gibraltarians” (people born and raised on Gibraltar), Europe’s most famous rock is an interesting mix of Spain, the United Kingdom, and North Africa.
For hundreds of years, Gibraltar has been an important asset, militarily as well economically speaking. It still is, to this day, because whoever controls Gibraltar controls the Strait. Hundreds of ships move through the Strait each day.
View of Gibraltar from inside the siege tunnels. Any flat land on Gibraltar is actually reclaimed land.
Gibraltar has belonged to the United Kingdom since 1704, with 14 sieges in its sordid history. The Great Siege in 1779 lasted 3 years, 7 months, and 12 days! Between the tunnels created during the sieges and the natural caves, it is a wonder the hollow-like rock is still standing today!
St. Michael’s Cave has evidence of Neanderthal men living here in 40,000 BC!
Listening to our tour guide was quite interesting because he provided a lot of insight into what life as a Gibraltarian is really like–things we would never have learned from just seeing the sights. Gibraltarians really feel like they live in their own country and are their own people. There is still oppression from Spain, yet they feel quite distant from the Queen. The use of Gibraltar as an entry point for North Africans to smuggle Hashish causes an entirely different set of problems and feelings. Many Gibraltarians can’t keep up with the steadily increasing cost of living but don’t want to leave the rock because they don’t feel at home anywhere else.
Highest point of Gibraltar and Morocco in the distance.
And then there are these Gibraltarians…the 207 macaques that have come across the Strait from Morocco, which is only 14km/9 miles away. They are the only remaining free roaming primates in Europe.
A perfect example of what happens when the line between humans and animals becomes too thin, the macaques are unnerving/frightening thieves who could also be considered dangerous. The Parliament of Gibraltar has talked about removing the entire population from the island, but they view the monkeys through green, tourist-dollar-colored glasses.
Even though it is illegal to feed them, they don’t really need your handout. They will take…and do…whatever they please. Just ask my friend Denise’s ice cream. Actually, that ice cream is long gone. Better ask Joe, he has a good story!
Achtung! Monkey in the vehicle!
Regardless of our run-ins with the macaques, it was a beautiful day in the UK!
