STRATEGIC REGION
NOVEMBER 28, 2022
Some Strategic Values Of Gibraltar
Gibraltar and its strait has some strategic values which connects two bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
OVERVIEW
Gibraltar’s history is influenced by its strategic position at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. Gibraltar is a narrow peninsula on the east side of the Gulf of Gibraltar, 4 miles (6.4 km) from the city of Algeciras. Gibraltar is on the southern tip of Spain at one of the narrowest points of the Mediterranean Sea, 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Morocco in North Africa.
Gibraltar has a recorded area of 26 square miles (67 km2). Most of the area consists of the steep Rock of Gibraltar which is 426 meters (1,398 ft) high. The city of Gibraltar lies at the base of the Rock on the west side of the peninsula. A narrow, low-lying isthmus connects the peninsula with mainland Spain.
The northern side of the Rock of Gibraltar is a nearly vertical hill, 396 meters (1,299 ft) high. The only land access to the city of Gibraltar is via the 350 meter (1,150 ft) wide coastline.
A VERY STRATEGIC STRAIT
The Strait of Gibraltar is a quite unique strait, this strait connects two bodies of water, namely the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically, the Strait of Gibraltar is bounded by Spain and Gibraltar in the north, Morocco and Ceuta in the south.
As one writer put it, “whoever controls Gibraltar also controls the movement of ships in and out of the Mediterranean. In terms of military and naval power, few places are more strategic than Gibraltar.”
HISTORY
The history of Gibraltar goes back 2,900 years. Gibraltar was first settled about 50,000 years ago by Neanderthals and was probably one of their last habitations before they became extinct 24,000 years ago.
Gibraltar became part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania after the collapse of the Roman Empire. This area was ruled by the Moors who were Muslim in 711. The area was first permanently settled by the Moors and was named Jebel Tariq – Mount Tariq, later changing to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar then became part of the Spanish Empire until 1704, when it was captured by a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of Charles VI of Austria who claimed the Spanish throne. After the war ended, Spain ceded Gibraltar to the United Kingdom by virtue of the Treaty of Utrecht signed in 1713.
Until 1954 there was a closure of the flight path to Gibraltar by Spain due to the visit of the Queen of England to Gibraltar at that time. In 1963, Spain finally brought the matter to the United Nations and Spain considered that Gibraltar was part of Spain which was still colonized by the British Empire and that residents living in Gibraltar were immigrants from England and had lived there for a long time.
The government of Gibraltar itself did not remain silent and held a referendum in 1967. The results of the referendum stated that almost all of the people of Gibraltar wanted their territory to remain under the rule of the British Empire.
MODERN DAY
Since 1985, Gibraltar has undergone many changes due to the waning of Britain’s overseas defense commitments. Most of the British army has left the area, which is no longer viewed as a place of great military importance.
Its economy is now based on tourism, financial services, shipping and Internet gambling. Gibraltar is self-governing with its own parliament and government, although the United Kingdom is responsible for its defense and foreign policy. Its economic success has made it one of the wealthiest regions in the European Union.
related post