The Rock of Gibraltar is situated at the southern tip of Spain, guarding the strait of Gibraltar which divides Europe and Africa. Its strategic position has made it the target of endless attacks, but it has stood firm over the centuries resulting in the well known saying 'as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar'.
Situated on a narrow promontory linked to the end of Spain by a slender sandy neck, Gibraltar is 426 metres high covers an area of roughly two square miles (6 sq km). The town and its harbour form the thin coastal strip to the west which overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean, while the eastern side is made up of sheer cliffs dropping down to beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. The limestone cliffs are full of natural caves including the dramatic St Michael's grotto, as well as a maze of tunnels which were used as a defence system in the 18th century and are now open to tourists. The official rock tour is the ideal introduction to Gibraltar's past and highlights include St Michael's Cave, the Barbary apes' den, the Moorish Castle and the City Under Siege Exhibition
Gibraltar is a popular holiday and business travel destination with a fascinating culture and history along with the bonus of a tax-free environment. Almost totally surrounded by sea it has five beaches - Catalan Bay, Camp Bay, Eastern Beach, Sandy Bay and Little Bay. Water sports feature heavily here and centre on the three marinas: Sheppard's Marina, Marina Bay and Queensway Quay Marina. Diving, sailing and dolphin watching are widely enjoyed, as well visiting to one of the finest botanical gardens in the world.
The upper parts of Rock have been made into a nature reserve to protect its natural environment and the Barbary Apes. They are the only wild primates in Europe and have lived here for hundreds of years. Legend has it that when the apes leave then Gibraltar will cease to be British.
