Gibraltar

One more card for today, received last year. ..and I could tick more more card off my 'missing countries' list with this one :) That, and it has a lighthouse on it, brilliant!



Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of 6.843 square kilometres, it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is the densely populated city area, home to almost 30,000 Gibraltarians and other nationalities.

An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar from Spain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. It was an important base for the Royal Navy; today its economy is based largely on tourism, financial services, and shipping.

The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in a 1967 referendum and again in 2002. Under Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of the UK Government.

Rachel, who sent me this card, tells me that the ape is sitting at a viewing point half-way up the rock overlooking Spain. This part of the rock was crucial during the sieges in the defence against Spain.



I find it interesting how Gibraltar has a special UK rate for postage, despite being so far away from the UK. I mean it's easier to understand with the Channel Islands, but I hadn't realised Gibraltar does this as well.