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Gibraltar is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. It is located on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula at the Strait of Gibraltar that links the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea and placing it between Europe and Africa. The territory shares a land border with Spain, to the north. Gibraltar has historically been important base for the British Armed Forces, and is the site of a large naval base. The name of the rock comes from the Arabic name of Jebel al Tariq (جبل طارق) meaning rock of Tariq. It refers to the Ummayad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad who led the Muslim conquest of Spain in 711. Earlier it was known as Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is also known colloquially as "Gib" or "the Rock". The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major issue of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain requests the return of sovereignty, ceded in perpetuity in 1713. Any transfer has been consistently and totally rejected by the people of Gibraltar. |