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81-642: Occupying the position of an earlier fortress destroyed by the French in 1801, it was built as the backbone of the regional fortification system, Festung Koblenz , by Prussia between 1817 and 1828 and guarded the middle Rhine region, an area that had been invaded by French troops repeatedly before. The Prussian fortress was never attacked. Since 2002, Ehrenbreitstein has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley . Ehrenbreitstein

162-577: A British citizen (" an entitlement that cannot be refused ") under section 5 of the Act. Under the subsequent British Overseas Territories Act 2002 , all British Overseas Territories citizens became British citizens on 21 May 2002. Gibraltar is not a sovereign state: its formal international relations are the responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom. Since Brexit, it is not part of

243-459: A UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Site includes as its northernmost point the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein. [REDACTED] Media related to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress at Wikimedia Commons 50°21′54″N 7°36′55″E  /  50.36500°N 7.61528°E  / 50.36500; 7.61528 Koblenz Fortress Koblenz Fortress was part of a Prussian fortress system near

324-531: A 1.2 km (0.75 mi) land border with Spain. The town of La Línea de la Concepción , a municipality of the province of Cádiz , lies on the Spanish side of the border. The Spanish hinterland forms the comarca of Campo de Gibraltar (literally "Countryside of Gibraltar"). The shoreline measures 12 km (7.5 mi) in length. There are two coasts ("Sides") of Gibraltar: the East Side, which contains

405-569: A bid for city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours . The bid was refused, but when researchers looked through the National Archives , they found that it had already been recognised as a city by Queen Victoria in 1842. The status came into force on 29 August 2022. Under its current constitution , Gibraltar has almost complete internal self-governance through a parliament elected for

486-750: A few meters away from French territory on the left bank of the Rhine. From 1803 to 1815 the area was part of Nassau . Under the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the Rhineland became a Prussian province. The fortification of the Koblenz area became a Prussian military priority, because of its proximity to France and the fact that Koblenz was a bottleneck for all means of transportation (ships, railways, land transportation because of bridges). Hence,

567-525: A local dialect known as Llanito . Gibraltar's economy rests on financial services, e-gaming, tourism and the port. With one of the world's lowest unemployment rates, the largest part of the labour force are resident in Spain or non-Gibraltarians, especially in the private sector. Since Brexit , Gibraltar is not a member of the European Union but negotiations are under way to have it participate in

648-581: A major painting inspired by Byron's work, entitled View of Ehrenbreitstein, or The Bright Stone of Honour and the Tomb of Marceau, from Byron's 'Childe Harold' . In April 2017, the painting was in a private collection and had an estimated value of £15m-£25m. Turner also painted a series of watercolors depicting views of the fortress and environs, some of which are held by the Tate Gallery in London. In 1897,

729-547: A minimum in the meantime. As of March 2023 , talks remain stalled, with Spain insisting that its Policía Nacional control entry into the Schengen area and the UK demanding that the work be done by officers of the European Union agency Frontex . All other entry points to the Schengen area are controlled by national authorities, supplemented by Frontex in some places. Gibraltar's territory covers 6.8 km2 (2.6 sqmi) and shares

810-672: A monument to Emperor Wilhelm I was erected right below the Festung, but on the west side of the Rhine, known as the Deutsches Eck (German Corner). Both fortress and monument were considered as symbols for the "Guard at the Rhine", as in the song " Die Wacht am Rhein ". Today the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is used for concerts and as a museum. In 2002, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley became

891-589: A one-year siege, starting in 1798 during the War of the Second Coalition , brought starvation to the defenders of Ehrenbreitstein who finally handed over the fortress to French troops in 1799. By the Treaty of Lunéville , the French were eventually forced to withdraw from the right bank of the Rhine. Hence, they blew up Ehrenbreitstein in 1801 to prevent the enemy from taking hold of a fully functional fortress just

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972-413: A peace treaty France paid 15 million francs towards a new fortress. Actual construction took from 1817 to 1828, and it was ready for service by 1834. Subsequently expanded several times, by 1886 Koblenz was classified as a fortification "of lesser importance". After the Koblenz fortifications west of the Rhine were dismantled in 1890–1903, the fortress and some lesser structures on the east bank alone covered

1053-536: A place of religious and symbolic importance. The Phoenicians were present for several centuries since around 950 BC, apparently using Gorham's Cave as a shrine to the genius loci , as did the Carthaginians and Romans after them. Gibraltar was known as Mons Calpe , a name perhaps of Phoenician origin. Mons Calpe was considered by the ancient Greeks and Romans as one of the Pillars of Hercules , after

1134-538: A potential agreement that would see them sharing sovereignty over Gibraltar. The government of Gibraltar organised a referendum on the plan, and 99% of the population voted to reject it. In 2008, the British government committed to respecting the Gibraltarians' wishes. A new Constitution Order was approved in referendum in 2006. A process of tripartite negotiations started in 2006 between Spain, Gibraltar and

1215-706: A raid in 710, a predominantly Berber army under the command of Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed from North Africa in April 711 and landed somewhere in the vicinity of Gibraltar (though most likely not in the bay or at the Rock itself). Tariq's expedition led to the Islamic conquest of most of the Iberian peninsula . Mons Calpe was renamed Jabal Ṭāriq ( جبل طارق ), "the Mount of Tariq", subsequently corrupted into Gibraltar . In 1160

1296-513: A report by the World Health Organization showed that Gibraltar had the worst air quality in any British territory. The report concentrated on PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants in the air. Gibraltar's economy is dominated by four main sectors: financial services , online gambling , shipping, and tourism, which includes duty-free retail sales to visitors. The British military traditionally dominated Gibraltar's economy , with

1377-510: A term of up to four years. The unicameral parliament presently consists of 17 elected members, and the Speaker who is not elected but appointed by a resolution of the parliament. The government consists of 10 elected members. The head of state is the British monarch King Charles III , who is represented by the Governor of Gibraltar . The governor enacts day-to-day matters on the advice of

1458-457: A venue for various cultural activities, such as open-air concerts and plays. In 1822, the English translation of the castle's name, The Broad-Stone of Honour , was used as the title of Kenelm Henry Digby 's exhaustive work on chivalry . ...this pulpit, I see, is a self-containing stronghold —a lofty Ehrenbreitstein... ( Herman Melville , Moby-Dick ) As the vine flourishes, and

1539-617: Is British government policy not to engage in talks about the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the consent of the people of Gibraltar. Gibraltar was part of the European Union , having joined through the European Communities Act 1972 (UK) , which gave effect to the Treaty of Accession 1972 , as a dependent territory of the United Kingdom under what was then article 227(4) of the Treaty Establishing

1620-694: Is a British Overseas Territory and city located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula , on the Bay of Gibraltar , near the exit of the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean ( Strait of Gibraltar ). It has an area of 6.8 km (2.6 sq mi) and is bordered to the north by Spain ( Campo de Gibraltar ). The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar , at

1701-573: Is located on the eastern bank of the Rhine at Koblenz in Rhineland-Palatinate , Germany . It overlooks the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine. The peak of the hill, which shares the name, is 118 metres above the Rhine. It is the northernmost point of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley . Ehrenbreitstein, the hill on which the eponymous fortress is now located,

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1782-757: Is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in its own right and is represented by the United Kingdom but was granted Associate Membership of the Commonwealth Foundation in 2004. Gibraltar has competed in the Commonwealth Games since 1958. As a result of the British Nationality Act 1981 , Gibraltarians were made British Overseas Territories citizens by default, but could apply for registration as

1863-544: Is regarded as having been responsible for setting the old town's style, described by Claire Montado, chief executive of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, as "military-ordnance-style arched doorways, Italianate stucco relief, Genoese shutters, English Regency ironwork balconies, Spanish stained glass and Georgian sash and casement windows." During the Napoleonic Wars , Gibraltar became a key base for

1944-568: The 1967 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum , which led to the passing of the Gibraltar Constitution Order in 1969. In response, Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links. The border with Spain was partially reopened in 1982 and fully reopened in 1985 before Spain's accession to the European Community . In the early 2000s, Britain and Spain were in negotiations over

2025-725: The Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min ordered that a permanent settlement, including a castle, be built. It received the name of Medinat al-Fath (City of the Victory). The Tower of Homage of the Moorish Castle remains standing today. From 1274 onwards, the town was fought over and captured by the Nasrids of Granada (in 1237 and 1374), the Marinids of Fez (in 1274 and 1333) and the kings of Castile (in 1309). Upon

2106-586: The Emirate of Granada . After the conquest, Henry IV of Castile assumed the additional title of King of Gibraltar , establishing it as part of the comarca of the Campo Llano de Gibraltar . Six years later, Gibraltar was restored to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who sold it in 1474 to a group of 4,350 conversos (Christian converts from Judaism) from Cordova and Seville and in exchange for maintaining

2187-758: The European Parliament as part of the South West England constituency . On 23 June 2016 Gibraltar voted along with the United Kingdom in the EU referendum ; 96% of its population voted to remain, but the overall United Kingdom result gave a 51.9% majority to leaving the EU. Nevertheless, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on 18 October 2018 that the Gibraltar protocol had been "resolved" and that Spain will hold no objection when Gibraltar leaves

2268-656: The Grand Alliance , captured the town of Gibraltar on behalf of the Archduke Charles of Austria in his campaign to become King of Spain. Subsequently, most of the population left the town, with many settling nearby. As the Alliance's campaign faltered, the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht was negotiated, which ceded control of Gibraltar to Britain to secure Britain's withdrawal from the war. Unsuccessful attempts by Spanish monarchs to regain Gibraltar were made, with

2349-620: The Greek legend of the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar by Heracles . There is no known archaeological evidence of permanent settlements from the ancient period. They settled at the head of the bay in what is today known as the Campo (hinterland) of Gibraltar . The town of Carteia , near the location of the modern Spanish town of San Roque , was founded by the Phoenicians around 950 BC on

2430-496: The Landesmuseum Koblenz (temporary exhibitions). There is also a Haus des Genusses , celebrating regional wine making and offering a Baroque dining experience. Permanent exhibitions at several locations inside the fortress cover the 5000 years of history of Ehrenbreitstein. There are also gastronomic establishments. The Koblenz youth hostel, with 157 beds, still occupies part of Ehrenbreitstein. The fortress serves as

2511-697: The Neolithic period have been found in Gibraltar's caves, mostly of types typical of the Almerian culture found elsewhere in Andalusia , especially around the town of Almería , from which it takes its name. There is little evidence of habitation in the Bronze Age when people had largely stopped living in caves. During ancient times, Gibraltar was regarded by the peoples of the Mediterranean as

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2592-566: The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP was a new party, formed in 2006 and fielded candidates in the 2007 election, but none were elected. The head of government is the Chief Minister (as of December 2011 , Fabian Picardo ). All local political parties oppose any transfer of sovereignty to Spain, instead supporting self-determination . The main UK opposition parties also support this policy, and it

2673-601: The Royal Navy and played an important role leading up to the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805). Designated one of four Imperial fortresses (along with Halifax, Nova Scotia , Bermuda , and Malta ), its strategic location made it a key base during the Crimean War of 1854–1856. In the 18th century, the peacetime military garrison fluctuated in numbers from a minimum of 1,100 to a maximum of 5,000. The first half of

2754-588: The Schengen Agreement to facilitate border movements between Gibraltar and Spain. As of March 2023 , talks seem deadlocked. The name is derived from Arabic : جبل طارق , romanized :  Jabal Ṭāriq , lit.   'Mount of Tariq' (named after the 8th-century North African military leader Tariq ibn Ziyad , who began the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula via

2835-561: The Strait of Gibraltar , with half the world's seaborne trade passing through it. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory . Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in a 1967 referendum , and for shared sovereignty in a 2002 referendum . Nevertheless, Gibraltar maintains close economic and cultural links with Spain, with many Gibraltarians speaking Spanish as well as

2916-667: The US Army as their headquarters during the Occupation of the Rhineland . In February 1923, Allen left the fortress, and the first U.S. occupation of European territory was over. After January 1923, Ehrenbreitstein was occupied by the French Army . During World War II , the fortress served as a place of safekeeping for archives and cultural objects (1943–56) but also harbored three flak guns (1943–1945). After World War II,

2997-408: The naval dockyard providing the bulk of economic activity. This, however, has diminished over the last 20 years and is estimated to account for only 7 per cent of the local economy, compared to over 60 per cent in 1984. The territory also has a small manufacturing sector, representing a bit less than 2 per cent of the economy. Gibraltar's labour market employs around thirty thousand workers, 80% in

3078-432: The siege of 1727 , and again with the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779 to 1783), during the American War of Independence . After the destructive Great Siege, the town was almost entirely rebuilt. Giovanni Maria Boschetti, who arrived in Gibraltar in 1784 as a 25-year-old from Milan, where he is thought to have been a stonemason or engineer, built the Victualling Yard (completed in 1812) and many other buildings. Boschetti

3159-443: The 19th century saw a significant increase of population to more than 17,000 in 1860, as people from Britain and all around the Mediterranean – Italian, Portuguese, Maltese, Jewish and French – took up residence in the town. Its strategic value increased with the opening of the Suez Canal , as it lay on the sea route between the UK and the British Empire east of Suez. In the later 19th century, major investments were made to improve

3240-410: The Crown of Castile in 1462. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured Gibraltar from Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession , and it was ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. It became an important base for the Royal Navy , particularly during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II , as it controlled the narrow entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea ,

3321-416: The EU continued unchanged until the end of 2020 when it was replaced by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement . On 31 December 2020, the UK and Spain agreed in principle on a basis for the EU and the UK to negotiate an agreement through which Gibraltar would participate in the Schengen Area , to avoid a hard border with Spain. The arrangements have not entered into force. In 2022, Gibraltar launched

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3402-422: The EU with Britain. Gibraltar was nominated to be included on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories by the United Kingdom when the list was created in 1946 and has been listed ever since. The government of Gibraltar has actively worked to have Gibraltar removed from the list, and in 2008 the British government declared Gibraltar's continued presence on the list an anachronism. Gibraltar

3483-423: The European Community covering special member state territories , with exemption from some areas such as the European Union Customs Union , Common Agricultural Policy and the Schengen Area . It is the only British Overseas Territory which was part of the European Union. After a 10-year campaign for the right to vote in European elections , from 2004 to 2019 the people of Gibraltar participated in elections for

3564-409: The European Union, but is a participant in the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement . On 31 December 2020, the UK and Spain agreed in principle on a basis for the EU and the UK to negotiate an agreement through which Gibraltar would participate in the Schengen Area , to avoid a hard border with Spain. The arrangements have not entered into force, but both sides aim to keep delays at the border at

3645-487: The French and in 1637 by Imperial troops during the Thirty Years' War . Ehrenbreitstein guarded the most valuable relic of the Trier See, the Holy Tunic , from 1657 to 1794. Successive Archbishops used the fortress' strategic importance to barter between contending powers; thus in 1672 at the outset of war between France and Germany the Archbishop refused requests both from the envoys of Louis XIV and from Brandenburg's Ambassador, Christoph Caspar von Blumenthal , to permit

3726-462: The German army) was inaugurated. In 2011, Festung Ehrenbreitstein was part of the Bundesgartenschau (National Garden Show) in Koblenz, following a multi-year restoration in 2007–2011. The fortress is open to visitors. It is connected to the town of Koblenz across the Rhine by a cable car and by an inclined lift to the foot of the hill. Ehrenbreitstein houses several museums: Haus der Fotografie (photography), Haus der Archäologie (archaeology) and

3807-452: The Gibraltar Parliament but is responsible to the British government in respect of defence, foreign policy, internal security and general good governance. Judicial and other appointments are made on behalf of the monarch in consultation with the head of the elected government . The 2011 election was contested by the Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP)- Liberal Party of Gibraltar (LPG) Alliance and

3888-420: The Iberian peninsula because of its position on the Strait of Gibraltar. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. Its average annual temperature is 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) as a daily high and 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) as the overnight low. In the coldest month, January, the high temperature averages 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and the overnight low averages 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and

3969-474: The Nasrid destruction and abandonment of Algeciras c.  1375 and Nasrids' procurement of Gibraltar away from Marinids in 1375, the Nasrids favoured Gibraltar (a worse natural harbor than Algeciras but featuring better defence capabilities) as a military and urban outpost in the Strait, although Gibraltar did not ever reach a large population during this period. In 1462, Gibraltar was captured by Juan Alonso de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia , from

4050-422: The Prussians built a system of fortification around Koblenz, the so-called Festung Koblenz ("Fortress Koblenz"), from 1815 until 1834. This referred to the strong ring of fortifications around Koblenz, of which the Festung Ehrenbreitstein was a part. Fortress Koblenz was said to have been the largest military fortress in Europe except for Gibraltar . Ehrenbreitstein could be defended by up to 1200 soldiers. Under

4131-408: The Rhine crossing until 1918. During its years of active service, the fortress was never attacked. It escaped being dismantled after the end of World War I as a result of its perceived historical and artistic value. The American General Henry Tureman Allen , convinced of its historical value as a premier 19th-century fortress, prevented its intended destruction in 1922. It was occupied after 1919 by

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4212-423: The Rock before British control, having possibly been introduced during the Islamic period. A superstition analogous to that of the ravens at the Tower of London states that if the apes ever leave, so will the British. In 1944, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was so concerned about the dwindling population of apes that he sent a message to the Colonial Secretary requesting that something be done about

4293-434: The Rock. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where the Gibraltar candytuft ( Iberis gibraltarica ) is found growing in the wild; the plant is otherwise native to North Africa. It is the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve . Olive and pine trees are among the most common of those growing around the Rock. Most of the Rock's upper area is covered by a nature reserve which is home to around 230 Barbary macaques ,

4374-461: The Strait of Gibraltar in 711). Evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Gibraltar from around 50,000 years ago has been discovered at Gorham's Cave . The caves of Gibraltar continued to be used by Homo sapiens after the final extinction of the Neanderthals. Stone tools, ancient hearths and animal bones dating from around 40,000 years ago to about 5,000 years ago have been found in deposits left in Gorham's Cave. Numerous potsherds dating from

4455-512: The UK, ending some restrictions and dealing with disputes in some specific areas such as air movements, customs procedures, telecommunications, pensions and cultural exchange. In the British referendum on membership of the European Union 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain on an 84% turnout. Spain renewed calls for joint Spanish–British control of the peninsula; these were strongly rebuffed by Gibraltar's Chief Minister. On 18 October 2018, however, Spain seemed to have reached an agreement with

4536-413: The United Kingdom in relation to its objections to Gibraltar leaving the EU with the UK, with Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez stating, "Gibraltar will no longer be a problem in arriving at a Brexit deal." On 31 January 2020, the UK left the European Union and consequently so did Gibraltar. Under the terms of the transition phase in the Brexit withdrawal agreement , Gibraltar's relationship with

4617-463: The average sea temperature is 16 °C (61 °F). In the warmest month, August, the daily high temperature averages 28.4 °C (83.1 °F), the overnight low averages 21.2 °C (70.2 °F), and the average sea temperature is 22 °C (72 °F). Source 3: Meteoclimat (records except February, July and August record lows) Source 4: Time and Date (dew points and humidity) Over 500 different species of flowering plants grow on

4698-437: The boreholes is nowadays supplemented by two desalination plants: a reverse osmosis plant, constructed in a tunnel within the rock, and a multi-stage flash distillation plant at North Mole. Gibraltar's terrain consists of the 426 m-high (1,398 ft) Rock of Gibraltar made of Jurassic limestone , and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it. It contains many tunnelled roads, most of which are still operated by

4779-408: The castle into a fortress that could withstand the new gunpowder weapons. One of the first cannon was the 9 ton Greif cannon . At the foot of the hill, protected by the fortress, Philipp Christoph von Sötern had the palace Phillipsburg constructed in 1625–1629. The fortress was further improved by his successors Karl Kaspar von der Leyen and Johann Hugo von Orsbeck . In 1632, it was occupied by

4860-413: The city of Koblenz in Germany which consisted of the city fortifications of Koblenz and Ehrenbreitstein and exterior supporting constructions such as entrenchments and forts. Koblenz fortress was built in three stages: 1815–1830, 1859–1868 and 1871–1886. The designers were: Ernst von Aster and Gustav von Rauch . Individual parts of the fortification have been preserved; other parts were demolished over

4941-422: The course of time. For example, in 1890 part of the fortress was declassified, the gates were demolished between 1896 and 1899 and further structures were demolished in the years 1920–1927. 50°21′N 7°36′E  /  50.350°N 7.600°E  / 50.350; 7.600 Gibraltar Gibraltar ( / dʒ ɪ ˈ b r ɔː l t ər / jib- RAWL -tər , Spanish: [xiβɾalˈtaɾ] )

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5022-408: The famous "apes" of Gibraltar, which are actually monkeys . These are the only wild apes or monkeys found in Europe. This species, known scientifically as Macaca sylvanus , is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List and is declining. Three-quarters of the world population live in the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco . Recent genetic studies and historical documents point to their presence on

5103-479: The flight Of baffled foes was watch'd along the plain: But Peace destroy'd what War could never blight, And laid those proud roofs bare to Summer's rain— On which the iron shower for years had pour'd in vain. ( Lord Byron , Childe Harold's Pilgrimage Canto III, v.58) Byron in fact refers to the previous structure, destroyed by the French, since the new fortification was only constructed after he wrote these lines. In 1835, J. M. W. Turner completed

5184-403: The foot of which is a densely populated town area, home to some 34,003 people, primarily Gibraltarians . Gibraltar was founded as a permanent watchtower by the Almohads in 1160. It switched control between the Nasrids , Castilians and Marinids in the Late Middle Ages , acquiring larger strategic clout upon the destruction of nearby Algeciras c.  1375 . It became again part of

5265-413: The fortifications and the port. During the Second World War , most of Gibraltar's civilian population was evacuated , mainly to London, but also to parts of Morocco and Madeira and to Gibraltar Camp in Jamaica . The Rock was strengthened as a fortress . On 18 July 1940, the Vichy French air force attacked Gibraltar in retaliation for the British bombing of the Vichy navy. The naval base and

5346-407: The fortress was used by the French Army, before it was handed over to the State of Rhineland-Palatinate in 1947. In 1946–1950 it served as a refugee camp and then as residential housing, during the period of housing shortages from the early 1950s into the 1960s. In 1952, a youth hostel was opened, followed by a museum in 1956. In 1972, the Ehrenmal des Deutschen Heeres (a memorial to the dead of

5427-415: The frontier workers are Spanish nationals. More than half (55 Percent) of the private sector employee jobs are held by persons who are not Gibraltarians or Other British nationalities. The public sector, on the other hand, employs mainly Gibraltarians and other British (90 Percent) As a consequence, according to Fabian Picardo , Chief Minister of Gibraltar, during Brexit negotiations, a frontier which lacked

5508-410: The garrison of the town for two years, after which time they were expelled, returning to their home towns or moving on to other parts of Spain. In 1501, Gibraltar passed back to the Spanish Crown, and Isabella I of Castile issued a Royal Warrant granting Gibraltar the coat of arms that it still uses. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession , a combined Anglo - Dutch fleet, representing

5589-412: The grape empurples close up to the very walls and muzzles of cannoned Ehrenbreitstein; so do the sweetest joys of life grow in the very jaws of its perils. ( Herman Melville , Pierre ) Here Ehrenbreitstein, with her shattered wall Black with the miner's blast, upon her height Yet shows of what she was, when shell and ball Rebounding idly on her strength did light; A tower of victory! from whence

5670-473: The island at a critical time in the face of concentrated air attacks from German and Italian forces. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco 's reluctance to allow the German Army onto Spanish soil frustrated a German plan to capture the Rock, codenamed Operation Felix . In the 1950s, Franco renewed Spain's claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar and restricted movement between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty in

5751-401: The military and closed to the general public. Gibraltar has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification Csa ), with mild, rainy winters and summers that are very warm to hot and humid, but with very little rainfall. As is the case for nearby Algeciras and Tarifa , summers are significantly cooler and annual temperature more constant than other cities on the southern coast of

5832-403: The necessary fluidity for people to be able to access their places of work would put directly at risk nearly half of the jobs of the Gibraltar workforce. In the early 2000s, many bookmakers and online gaming operators moved to Gibraltar to benefit from operating in a regulated jurisdiction with a favourable corporate tax regime. This corporate tax regime for non-resident controlled companies

5913-513: The passage of troops across the Rhine. In 1688, the fortress successfully withstood a siege by King Louis XIV of France . Around 1730, Balthasar Neumann created the Schönborn-Werke , a third ring of fortifications. France did succeed in taking it in 1759, but only held it for three years. However, in 1794, French revolutionary troops conquered Koblenz; in the following years they besieged Ehrenbreitstein three times without success. But

5994-531: The private sector and 20% in the public sector. The unemployment rate is extremely low, at around 1 per cent. More than half (53 Percent) of the labour force are resident in Spain or are non Gibraltarians. According to the Government of Gibraltar's statistics, around 45 Percent of the total employee jobs, and 58% of the private sector jobs, are held by frontier workers (employees who are normally resident in Spain but are employed in Gibraltar). Around 63 Percent of

6075-506: The settlements of Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay ; and the Westside , where the vast majority of the population lives. Gibraltar has no administrative divisions but is divided into seven Major Residential Areas . Having negligible natural resources and few natural freshwater resources, limited to natural wells in the north, until recently Gibraltar used large concrete or natural rock water catchments to collect rainwater. Fresh water from

6156-519: The ships based there played a key role in the provisioning and supply of the island of Malta during its long siege . As well as frequent short runs, known as "Club Runs", towards Malta to fly off aircraft reinforcements (initially Hurricanes , but later, notably from the USN aircraft carrier Wasp , Spitfires ), the critical Operation Pedestal convoy was run from Gibraltar in August 1942. This resupplied

6237-652: The site of an early settlement of the native Turdetani people. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire , Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals , who crossed into Africa at the invitation of Boniface , the Count (or commander) of the territory. The area later formed part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania for almost 300 years, from 414 until 711 AD. Following

6318-565: The situation. Other mammals found in Gibraltar include rabbits, foxes and bats. Dolphins and whales are frequently seen in the Bay of Gibraltar . Migrating birds are very common and Gibraltar is home to the only Barbary partridges found on the European continent. In 1991, Graham Watson, Gibraltar's MEP , highlighted conservationists ' fears that urban development , tourism and invasive plant species were threatening Gibraltar's own plants as well as birds and bat species . In May 2016,

6399-464: Was first mentioned in an extant written document in 1139, as a property of the Archbishop of Trier . Archbishop Hillin expanded it in 1152–1169. A supporting castle ( Burg Helferstein ) was built on the hill known as Helfenstein to the south. It was further extended by Archbishop Henry of Fénétrange in 1286, and Archbishop John II of Baden in 1481. During the 16th century, work began to turn

6480-487: Was first settled in the 4th millennium BC, and fortifications were built in the 10th/9th century BC. In the 3rd to 5th centuries AD a Roman fortification was sited there. More settlement followed in the 8th/9th centuries under the Carolingian dynasty . In about 1000 a noble called Ehrenbert (or Erembert) erected a castle on the hill. Its initial name "Burg Ehrenbertstein" later became Burg Ehrenbreitstein . The castle

6561-500: Was phased out by January 2011 and replaced by a still favourable fixed corporate tax rate of 10 per cent. Tourism is also a significant industry. Gibraltar is a popular port for cruise ships and attracts day visitors from resorts in Spain. The Rock is a popular tourist attraction, particularly among British tourists and residents in the southern coast of Spain. It is also a popular shopping destination, and all goods and services are VAT free, but may be subject to Gibraltar taxes. Many of

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