GENERAL
Capital
Gibraltar.
Geography
According to allcitycodes, Gibraltar, a 5 km long promontory made of Jurassic limestone, lies at the western entrance to the Mediterranean on the southern tip of Spain. The highest point of the rock is 425 m. ü. d. M. Both the bay and the strait in front of the city are named after Gibraltar. Gibraltar borders on Spain to the north and west, and Morocco is 26 km south on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Government
British since 1713; Colony since 1830. Constitution of 2007. Parliament: 17 of the 18 members of the House of Assembly are elected, the official member of the assembly is the speaker. The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers, which is responsible for home affairs. The UK is responsible for foreign and defense policy. There are aspirations for independence.
Head of state
Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor Edward Davis, since January 2016.
Head of government
Fabian Picardo, since December 2011.
Electricity
220/240 V, 50 Hz. Three-pole flat plugs like in Great Britain.
Time zone
Central European Time: CET +2 (CET +3 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)
MONEY
Currency
1 Gibraltar pound = 100 pence. Currency abbreviation: Enter £, GIP (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 pence, coins in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 give pounds and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. 1 Give £ equals the British pound sterling. British banknotes are accepted; However, Gibraltar banknotes are not valid in the UK.
Credit cards
International credit cards are accepted in all major hotels and shops.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-3.30 p.m., Fri 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions.
Currency Exchange
Visitors are advised to change any unspent money before leaving. Due to the day tourists from Spain it is possible to pay in euros, but slightly higher prices have to be accepted.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is English. Since many Spaniards work in Gibraltar, Spanish is also very common. Many traffic and information signs are also labeled in Spanish. The spoken English is mixed with Spanish vocabulary.
Most Gibraltarians speak both English and Spanish and sometimes switch back and forth between the two languages in the middle of a sentence. Therefore, even with good knowledge of Spanish or English, it can be difficult to understand the locals.
Many locals speak Llanito, a dialect of Andalusian Spanish influenced by English and various southern European languages. Italian and Portuguese are also common.
Idioms
- Goodbye = goodbye
- Eight = Eight
- Eighty = eighty
- Exit = Exit
- Beer = beer
- Please = Please
- Thank you = Thank you
- Tuesday = Tuesday
- Doctor = Doctor
- Thursday = Thursday
- Three = three
- Thirty = Thirty
- Entrance = Entrance
- One hundred = one hundred
- One = One
- One thousand = one thousand
- Friday = Friday
- Five = Five
- Fifty = Fifty
- Danger = danger
- Closed = closed
- Hello = Hello
- Today = Today
- Hotel = hotel
- I feel sick = I feel ill
- I don’t understand = I don’t understand
- Yes = Yes
- My name is?? = My name is??
- I’m fine. = I’m very well.
- Wednesday = Wednesday
- Monday = Monday
- Tomorrow = Tomorrow
- No = no
- Nine = nine
- Ninety = ninety
- Open = open
- Restaurant = restaurant
- Saturday = Saturday
- Six = Six
- Sixty = sixty
- Seven = Seven
- Seventy = Seventy
- Sunday = Sunday
- Menu = menu
- Do you speak German / English? = Do you speak German / English?
- Toilets = toilets
- Four = four
- Forty = Forty
- Wine = Wine
- How are you? = How are you?
- How much is it? = How much does it cost?
- Where is??? = Where is???
- Ten = ten
- Twenty = twenty
- Two = Two
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Gibraltar duty-free in hand luggage (people aged 17 and over):
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (max. 3 g each) or 50 cigars or 200 g tobacco;
1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of fortified wine and sparkling wines and 2 liters of non-sparkling wines;
50 g perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette;
other items worth up to 32 give £.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business language is usually English, but knowledge of Spanish may be necessary. U. also advantageous.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., summer 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Authorities: Mon-Thu 8.45am-1.15pm and 2.15pm-5.30pm, Fri 9am-5pm. Deviations are possible depending on the authority and time of year.
Economy
Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 29, Watergate House, 2-6 Casemates, Gibraltar
Tel: 200 783 76
Internet: www.gibraltarchamberofcommerce.com
Business contacts
Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 29, Watergate House, 2-6 Casemates, Gibraltar
Tel: 200 783 76
Internet: www.gibraltarchamberofcommerce.com
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
The network operator is Werdenel GSM (GSM 900) (Internet: www.gsmworld.com).
Internet
Internet café: The Cafe Cyberworld (Ocean Heights Gallery, Queensway). Main providers: Gibnet (Internet: www.gibnet.gi) and Gibconnect (Internet: www.gibconnect.com).
Post Office
Airmail to Northern Europe takes 1-5 days, there are postal flights every day. You can write poste restante to the main post office on Main Street. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m. (winter: 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m.), Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
The city center of Gibraltar is a real shopper’s paradise. All items are tax-reduced and VAT-free. Most of the shops are in the west of the city. The Main Street and some surrounding streets, alleys and squares are expanded into a pedestrian zone where it can stroll to explore. Here also is the Irishtown Street (formerly Calle de Santa Ana), one of the most famous and oldest shopping streets in the city. Above all luxury items such as silk, linen, jewelry, perfume, carvings, radios, leather items, electronic devices, photographic items, cashmere wool and wristwatches are offered. Some of the most popular items include alcohol and tobacco products. Many Spaniards come to Gibraltar to shop and bus companies offer day trips for tourists from the nearby Costa del Sol, so the city can be quite crowded from morning to early evening.
In the grocery stores you can find a selection of exotic spices and kitchen ingredients, whole grain products and organically grown foods. There is English jam and a wide variety of teas.
There are numerous souvenirs such as key rings, lighters, T-shirts, plates, postcards and cuddly toys in the tourist shops. If you are looking for a special Gibraltar souvenir, you should visit the Gibraltar Crystal Factory (Internet: www.gibraltar-crystal.com), where you can customize your own wine glass.
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7.30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Some shops are also open on Sundays.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
The nightlife in Gibraltar is surprisingly diverse and lively. There are several discos and nightclubs that are open until the early hours of the morning. Numerous cozy pubs and wine bars invite you to linger. Many hotels have a cocktail bar. The casino complex with a restaurant, night club, rooftop restaurant (summer) and gaming rooms is open from 9 a.m. until dawn.
Most of the venues are on Main Street. One of the most popular pubs is the Horseshoe, for example, which has a beautiful outdoor area. Also The Angry Friar lures with outdoor tables, from which you a good look at the opposite Governor’s Residence (also known as The Convent) and can watch the changing of the guard. The Piccadilly Garden Bar is located near the cable car and has a cozy beer garden. Freshly tapped beer is served in the Clipper Bar.
Events take place regularly in Casemate Square during the summer months. There are also many pubs, clubs and cafés in the vicinity, such as the Lord Nelson Bar, which regularly plays live music. Those who like it a little livelier go to the Rock on the rock club or the Club The Tunnel. Salsa is offered in Latinos. In All’s Well and The Little Rock Karaoke is offered during the week. Current event information is available from the Tourist Information Center.
CULINARY
Regional specialities
- Tortilla(omelette) with spinach
- Calentitaand panissa (both are kind of quiche made from chickpea flour)
Tip
The service is already included in the hotel bills. A service charge of 10-15% is expected in restaurants and cafés. Taxi drivers and porters also expect a tip.
Regional drinks
Spirits and tobacco products are very inexpensive. All types of alcoholic beverages, including draft beer (in the Gibraltar Arms pub), are available.
Minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages
In Gibraltar you can drink beer and wine from the age of 16 and spirits from the age of 18. In restaurants and pubs, alcohol may not be served or sold to young people under the age of 18.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
The spectrum ranges from luxury hotels with shopping malls, bars and swimming pools to simple accommodations. The main season is from April 1st to October 31st. Information from the Gibraltar Tourist Board (see addresses).
Camping
Camping is prohibited, but beach tents and umbrellas, including two sun loungers, can be rented from the villagers in Catalan Bay. Parking spaces are limited and should be booked in advance. Tents can only be used during the day. There are very well equipped campsites across the border in Spain.
CULTURE
Religion
78.1% Roman Catholic, 7% Anglican, 3.2% other Christians; 4% Muslims; Jewish minority.
Social rules of conduct
General: British and southern European customs merge in Gibraltar into a traditional way of life. Long traffic jams can occur on the border with Spain, so patience is required here. Scooter and motorcycle riders are often allowed to drive past the lines of cars. Anyone who tries to push their way forward as a car driver must expect to be sent back to the end of the queue.
Manners: The usual forms of courtesy should be observed. You shake hands to greet you, the kiss on both cheeks is more personal. If you are invited to dinner, the hosts look forward to a bouquet of flowers or a small gift. You start eating after all guests have been served.
Clothing: Casual clothing is appropriate almost everywhere, jeans and a chic top are suitable for most occasions. More elegant cloakrooms are only expected at official events and in exclusive restaurants. Correct clothing is expected when entering churches. Swimwear belongs on the beach.
Crime: The crime rate in Gibraltar is low. However, the Barbary macaques that live in the wild on the rock should be treated with caution: They are skilled pickpockets and aim for anything edible.
Photographing: People should be asked before photographing them. In some churches and cultural institutions, photography is prohibited.
Smoking: There is still no legally regulated smoking ban in Gibraltar. However, non-smoking areas should be observed. Some hotels offer extra non-smoking rooms.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Warm all year round. Summers (May – September) are very warm, sometimes humid; the winters mild, no snow.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +350 Area (sq km) 7 Population 29,258 Population density (per sq km) 4,178 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 112