Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory in southern Europe. The Gibraltar geography is typical of that region. The territory occupies a total area of 6.543 square kilometers.
The Gibraltar geography shares common geological characteristics with the adjacent Spanish territory. The geography in Gibraltar displays a lack of marketable natural resources. Freshwater is in short supply. Drinkable water comes from natural wells located in the northern part of the territory. This lack of usable water has forced the local administration to commission two desalination plants.
The geography of Gibraltar includes a 1.2 kilometer long border with Spain. Gibraltar possesses some excellent beaches. The beach is 12 kilometers in length. Gibraltar possesses two coasts. The two coasts are the West Side coast and the East Side Coast. The East Side coast encloses the urban areas of Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay. Majority of the resident population resides on the West Side coast of the territory.
Climate of Gibraltar
The climate of Gibraltar is Mediterranean. Summers in Gibraltar are pleasantly warm. The winters in the British Overseas Territory are cool. Extreme temperatures are not observed.
Climate of Gibraltar is characterized by two regional geographic winds. The Levante wind comes in from the Sahara desert in Africa. The Levante brings warm weather to the territory. The Poniente wind brings fresh and cooler air to Gibraltar. The Poniente wind also cools the sea waters. It is a westerly wind and arrives from colder climes. The average temperatures in Gibraltar at springtime usually hovers around 21° Centigrade. The temperature in Gibraltar may reach a low of 10° Centigrade during winter time.
Gibraltar Bay
Gibraltar Bay is situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar Bay is also known as Bay of Gibraltar. The natural geographical formation is 10 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide.
The Bay of Gibraltar occupies an area of approximately 75 square kilometers. The water of the bay has a maximum depth of 400 meters. The Gibraltar Bay outflows to the Strait of Gibraltar and also to the Mediterranean Sea. The bay is a major conservation area of marine species like dolphins. The watery area is home to a number of dolphin species like the Striped Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and the Common Dolphin.
The Gibraltar Bay finds mention in Roman texts. The Romans established a port on Algeciras. The British took over administrative control over the bay in the early 18th century. The bay near Gibraltar is currently a disputed territory. Both United Kingdom and Spain claim ownership and rights over the waters.
Europa Point
The Europa Point is the southernmost location in Gibraltar. Visitors to Europa Point may observe the stunning vista of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Rif Mountains of Morocco in Africa may also be seen.
The Europa Point is situated on the Rock of Gibraltar. The immediate area is flat and has a number of utilitarian buildings. The notable structures in Europa Point of Gibraltar are the Roman Catholic shrine of Our Lady of Europe and the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque. A lighthouse is also present.
The landmark lighthouse was built by the British administration in the middle of the 19th century. The navigation equipment was completed in 1841. The lighthouse is still operational.
Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar is a natural strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The Gibraltar strait also acts as a sort of political boundary between two countries: Spain and Morocco.
The Strait of Gibraltar separates the two continents of Europe and Africa. The distance between the two continents is measured at 13 kilometers on the narrowest point of the strait. The depth of the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar may reach 900 meters at its deepest point. Ferries are available to transport the interested passenger from Europe to Africa and back.
The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar lies on the northern side of the strait. The boundaries of the Strait of Gibraltar are known as the Pillars of Hercules. Hercules was a mythical Greek hero. The Gibraltar waterway is part of the vital commercial shipping route in this part of the world.
Flora of Gibraltar
The flora of Gibraltar shares many common genetic characteristics with vegetation found in the North African region. The flora of Gibraltar displays Mediterranean looks and tactile nature.
The flora of Gibraltar consists of a number of varieties of plants. This is due to the different soil structures found in different areas. Limestone is found in large quantities on the territory. The soil is alkaline. The mountainous areas contain a more acidic soil. This results in specific plants found in certain areas of Gibraltar. The number of flora in Gibraltar exceeds 500 species. The flowering months in Gibraltar extend from the month of March to the month of May.