GIBRALTAR

2 rocky peninsula and Brit. crown colony (36° 6’ N., 5°21’ W.), at most southerly point of And alus i a commanding the Mediterranean gateway; connected with Spain by a sandy isthmus (about 124 m. long and half a mile wide), the middle part being neutral ground between Span. and Brit, frontiers; c. 16 m, from ‘ican coast. Gibraltar rises almost precipitously 1,400 ft., with exception of western side on Bay of Gibraltar; length, 8 m. from N. to §.; breadth, 34 m.; area, 17/ q.m. Town lies on W. side, and consists of N. and S. | town, with several churches, ruined Moorish castle, 10th cent., old Francis can convent, governor’s residence, | extensive barracks, Alameda Gardens, cable station; powerful lighthouse on Europa Point (the southern extremity), and large harbor. Gibraltar is a naval base, strongly fortified, a good coaling station, and a place of great strategic importance; the climate hot, but not Many interesting large caverns (e.g., Hall of St. Michael), with stalactite pillars. Gibraltar is the only part of Europe where a species of cinnamon colored taille ape (Barbary ape) is preserved. Gibraltar was known to Greeks as Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules; strongly fortified by Tarik-ben-Zaid at Moorish invasion of Spain, A. D. 711, and called Jebel-al-Tarik (hill of Tarik); name gradually degenerated into Gibraltar; finally taken from Moors by Spain, 1462; captured by Brit. fleet under Admiral George Rooke during War of Span. Succe ion, 1704; several attempts made by Spain and France to retake Gibraltar, the last great siege being in 1779-82, when it was heroically with|defended by Sir George Eliott (afterwards Lord Heath field). Since Peace of Versailles, 1783, Britain’s claim to Gibraltar has been unchallenged; is administered by @& governor. Pop. 19,000 civilians. During the World ' War the Strait was guarded by the) Gibraltar Patrol. See Map Spam.