Gibraltar’s place in history mostly began in 711 AD when the Almohad Muslims established a town after the Muslim legislative leader of Tangier, Tariq ibn Ziyad, invaded with a troop of over 10,000 men. The Rock of Gibraltar was named after this leader, which means Mountain of Tariq. The Almohad Muslims ruled Gibraltar until they lost power to the Castillans in 1462. In 1704, Spain surrendered Gibraltar to the UK during the Treaty of Utrecht. It’s been a part of the UK ever since, though Spain did try to recapture it during the Great Siege of 1779 to 1783.
Gibraltar has been a stronghold for the British navy because of the fortitude of its geographical position and its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the only waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Gibraltar is a self-governing territory of the United Kingdom and has its own parliament. Its people claim multiple backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions, but share a common culture that thrives on its blend of Mediterranean lifestyle with Great Britain influences. Tolerance and acceptance are common themes of the culture here, as is a strong pride for being a British territory.
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