Gibraltar is a British overseas territory, located in south western Europe on the Iberian Peninsula of the south coast of Spain . It borders the Strait of Gibraltar , which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean . Gibraltar is joined to mainland Spain by a narrow isthmus. The Rock itself is not very large, measuring less than two and one half square miles. Gibraltar is a British colony which is self governing and also a member of the European Union courtesy of Gt. Britains membership. The most southern tip of Europe is at Europa Point, where views across the Strait to N. Africa can be enjoyed. The population comprises mainly Gibraltarians, Spanish, Portuguese, Maltese, Moroccan, Italian and English. The dominant religion is Roman Catholic, with Church of England, Muslim, Jewish and others. English is widely spoken, especially for official business functions, as well as Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Gibraltar has a chequered history of ownership, from the Moors, to the Spanish, Dutch, and British and today remains a very busy port. There are a wide range of activities available on Gibraltar , from sailing and scuba diving, to fishing, bird watching, and rock climbing. There are several museums, art galleries and a cathedral. Gibraltar , however, has to be most famous for its colony of Barbary Apes, which live freely and in a semi wild state on The Rock. There are a variety of beaches, and several marinas which provide availability for sailing and boating activities. Gibraltar has a good shopping area around Main Street , where tax free bargains can be found. Casemates Square in the central area is the place for restaurants and nightlife now, but was once the site for public executions. Other places of interest include the Moorish Castle and the City Under Siege exhibit as well as the city walls which date back to the 18 th century. The Rock of Gibraltar is made of limestone and has many tunnels running through it, some of which are manmade and have an interesting history. A selection of the tunnels are open for touring, and others are under control of the military. The tunnels hold much history of the island and previous times of strife and sieges. St. Michaels Cave is a popular attraction, with its stalactites and stalagmites and ancient history. Gibraltar is a haven for nature enthusiasts with its wealth of beautiful flora, some rare, some growing wild, and some in the botanical gardens, including lavender, jasmine, olive trees, palms, cacti, honeysuckle and bougainvillea. Part of the Rock area has been designated as a nature reserve and there are also the Alameda Botanical Gardens. Boat tours are available for dolphin and whale watching trips in the bay. Gibraltar is famous amongst bird watchers for sighting many migrating species, especially as the Strait of Gibraltar is the shortest crossing point between Europe and Africa.
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