Gibraltar - More than Just a Shopping Destination
SEPTEMBER 3, 2008. Gibraltar, the British overseas territory that is located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, has gone through a lot of changes in the last few decades. Originally basing much of its economy on the activity of the British Military, the naval dockyard now accounts for much less of the local economy and the military image of Gibraltar has diminished.
The country then went through a stage of being associated with the retail industry as all goods and services there are VAT free. However, more and more people are now discovering that Gibraltar is much more than just a shopping destination - it has a history and culture all of its own that is well worth exploring.
Situated at the tip of a peninsula just where Europe meets Africa, Gibraltar's landscapes and culture reflect the influences of both Continents, whilst retaining a flavour of its own. Multi-culturalism is the norm in Gibraltar, with English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian and Russian languages all to be found in this small territory. Though the English influence is undoubtedly still the strongest, things like food, music and literature reflect the mix of English and Mediterranean traditions. With its melting pot culture, Gibraltar is a great place to experience variety and to see the harmonious way that different cultures can work together.
When it comes to the natural history of Gibraltar, there is much to discover. The Rock of Gibraltar dominates the landscape - a massive slab of Jurassic limestone covered with green shrubs and trees. Though over time the presence of deer and boar has faded from the Rock, there is still much to be seen in the way of bird life with sightings of over 200 species recorded. There is also the famous colony of Barbary Macaques that live on the Rock whose presence remains a bit of a mystery. At present there are six troops of Macaques that can be viewed at the Apes' Den at the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, and form the largest wild population in Europe.
Shopping is undoubtedly still a big selling-point of Gibraltar for tourists. All goods and services are VAT free, and branches of many large British high street chains can be found on Main Street, the main destination for eager shoppers in Gibraltar. Shopping, however, now makes up only a small part of the Gibraltar experience, with numerous activities available to holiday-goers such as diving, yachting, fishing, golfing, windsurfing, bird watching, and many trips exploring the natural history of the area.
With cheap flights to Gibraltar available from many companies like Fly Monarch, Jet2 and EasyJet, there's no reason not to fly out and explore the new Gibraltar - no longer just a shopping destination, or even a military base, but a vibrant destination with a culture of its own just waiting to be discovered.
Prices and products are correct at the time of writing (25.08.08) and may be changed at the discretion of the provider.
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