Greetings From The UK
Midi file...Eternity
Gibraltar
The existence of the actual Rock of Gibraltar is first recorded by the Romans, who named it Calpe. It was the belief of ancient writers that the Pillars of Hercules were situated in the Strait of Gibraltar and after they perished, the two mountains, Calpe and Abyla (the later being situated opposite Gibraltar on the African shore), retained the names.
Gibraltar has loomed large in the history books for 3000 years. Its name comes from Tarik, the leader of the Arabic army that invaded Spain in the eighth century. Over the centuries the Arabic name Gibel Tarik has altered to its present form of Gibraltar. The Rock remained in Arab hands until an unexpected attack by the Spanish in 1309. This brief occupation was interrupted in 1333 and again reverted to Moorish control, but finally the Spanish reclaimed it and it was to remain that way for a further 240 years. In this time they developed Gibraltar as an important military and naval base.
Britain became interested in Gibraltar in the time of Oliver Cromwell, but the opportunity to capture it did not arise until the war of the Spanish Succession. It was then seized by a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet under Admiral Rooke, and British sovereignty was then formalised in 1713 by The Treaty of Utrecht.
Gibraltar thus became a British Garrison and in 1830 was declared a colony. Unfortunately, Spain has never been able to accept the loss of Gibraltar and there have been several attempts to recapture it without success. Gibraltar has been besieged 15 times, the most famous being the Great Siege in 1779 which lasted an amazing 3 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Also in more recent years we have seen the closing of the Frontier between 1969 and 1985. However, Gibraltar has held fast and remained British to this very day. Recent referendums showed that 85% of the population wished to remain British. Gibraltar "under ground" developed apace as miles of tunnels and chambers were dug out of the limestone and an underground city, with its own electricity supply, telephone exchanges, frozen meat stores, water distillers, bakery and hospitals was created.
Twice during the first half of the twentieth century the value of Gibraltar as a strategic naval base was proved. In both the 1914-1918 and the 1939-1945 wars, Gibraltar was a key point in the anti-submarine campaigns. Patrols kept the Strait clear of enemy shipping, and the Bay became an important assembly point for convoys. The new Dockyard worked flat out repairing British and Allied warships.
In a den high on the Rock live Gibraltar's most famous residents, the Barbary Apes, the only wild primates in all Europe. Friendly, charming and inquisitive, the apes have lived on the Rock for centuries.
There are several theories on the origin of these monkeys. The only certain thing is that they came from Morocco. One theory is that they came to the Rock at the time when Europe and Africa were joined. However, the absence of pre-historic remains would seem to discount this theory. Another theory, which makes most sense, is that they could have been brought as pets by either the Moors or the British.
The best known story is that there is an old saying stipulating that Gibraltar will cease to be British on the day that there are no apes left on the Rock. Sir Winston Churchill hearing this during his visit to the Rock during WWII ordered the numbers to be replenished, on learning they had diminished alarmingly.
In the ancient times, right through the age of empires and in the global conflicts of our own century, Gibraltar has stood guard over the western Mediterranean, its unique position making it the focus of a continuous struggle for power. This spectacular rock monolith, covering a land area of about six square kilometres, is situated at the southern tip of Spain overlooking the strait to Africa. It is known as the Meeting Place of Continents.
The existence of the actual Rock of Gibraltar is first recorded by the Romans, who named it Calpe. It was the belief of ancient writers that the Pillars of Hercules were situated in the Strait of Gibraltar and after they perished, the two mountains, Calpe and Abyla (the later being situated opposite Gibraltar on the African shore), retained the names.
Gibraltar has loomed large in the history books for 3000 years. Its name comes from Tarik, the leader of the Arabic army that invaded Spain in the eighth century. Over the centuries the Arabic name Gibel Tarik has altered to its present form of Gibraltar. The Rock remained in Arab hands until an unexpected attack by the Spanish in 1309. This brief occupation was interrupted in 1333 and again reverted to Moorish control, but finally the Spanish reclaimed it and it was to remain that way for a further 240 years. In this time they developed Gibraltar as an important military and naval base.
Britain became interested in Gibraltar in the time of Oliver Cromwell, but the opportunity to capture it did not arise until the war of the Spanish Succession. It was then seized by a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet under Admiral Rooke, and British sovereignty was then formalised in 1713 by The Treaty of Utrecht.
Gibraltar thus became a British Garrison and in 1830 was declared a colony. Unfortunately, Spain has never been able to accept the loss of Gibraltar and there have been several attempts to recapture it without success. Gibraltar has been besieged 15 times, the most famous being the Great Siege in 1779 which lasted an amazing 3 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Also in more recent years we have seen the closing of the Frontier between 1969 and 1985. However, Gibraltar has held fast and remained British to this very day. Recent referendums showed that 85% of the population wished to remain British. Gibraltar "under ground" developed apace as miles of tunnels and chambers were dug out of the limestone and an underground city, with its own electricity supply, telephone exchanges, frozen meat stores, water distillers, bakery and hospitals was created.
Twice during the first half of the twentieth century the value of Gibraltar as a strategic naval base was proved. In both the 1914-1918 and the 1939-1945 wars, Gibraltar was a key point in the anti-submarine campaigns. Patrols kept the Strait clear of enemy shipping, and the Bay became an important assembly point for convoys. The new Dockyard worked flat out repairing British and Allied warships.
In a den high on the Rock live Gibraltar's most famous residents, the Barbary Apes, the only wild primates in all Europe. Friendly, charming and inquisitive, the apes have lived on the Rock for centuries.
There are several theories on the origin of these monkeys. The only certain thing is that they came from Morocco. One theory is that they came to the Rock at the time when Europe and Africa were joined. However, the absence of pre-historic remains would seem to discount this theory. Another theory, which makes most sense, is that they could have been brought as pets by either the Moors or the British.
The best known story is that there is an old saying stipulating that Gibraltar will cease to be British on the day that there are no apes left on the Rock. Sir Winston Churchill hearing this during his visit to the Rock during WWII ordered the numbers to be replenished, on learning they had diminished alarmingly.
Barbary Apes
At the Apes' Den (Queen's Gate) and in the area of the Great Siege Tunnels you have the rare opportunity to see semi-wild primates at close quarters. If you let them, the monkeys will be their captivating selves and show you aspects of their everyday lives. The Apes are a species of tail-less monkeys called Barbary Macaques. These Macaques can be found in Morocco and Algeria, with those in Gibraltar being the only free-living monkeys in Europe today.
Identification
There are about 160 monkeys living in Gibraltar in two main areas. About 20 of them at Ape's Den can be observed closely. However, the largest pack resides in the Great Siege area.
Adult Males (Over 7 Years)
These are the large monkeys, with big narrow faces. There are usually 4 at the Apes' Den with 4 more nearby.
Adult Females (Over 4 Years)
Smaller than the males, they have unmistakable black/grey beards on their chins and sexual swellings on the rumps.
Infant/Juveniles (1-4 years)
Male and female youngsters can often be seen playing together.
Babies
These have black fur until about 4 months old. They are vulnerable, so please keep your distance!
At the Apes' Den (Queen's Gate) and in the area of the Great Siege Tunnels you have the rare opportunity to see semi-wild primates at close quarters. If you let them, the monkeys will be their captivating selves and show you aspects of their everyday lives. The Apes are a species of tail-less monkeys called Barbary Macaques. These Macaques can be found in Morocco and Algeria, with those in Gibraltar being the only free-living monkeys in Europe today.
Identification
There are about 160 monkeys living in Gibraltar in two main areas. About 20 of them at Ape's Den can be observed closely. However, the largest pack resides in the Great Siege area.
Adult Males (Over 7 Years)
These are the large monkeys, with big narrow faces. There are usually 4 at the Apes' Den with 4 more nearby.
Adult Females (Over 4 Years)
Smaller than the males, they have unmistakable black/grey beards on their chins and sexual swellings on the rumps.
Infant/Juveniles (1-4 years)
Male and female youngsters can often be seen playing together.
Babies
These have black fur until about 4 months old. They are vulnerable, so please keep your distance!
Behaviour (Things To Look Out For)
Pouting
A warning to keep your distance.
Tooth Chattering
They do this to calm down and make-up after confrontations.
Grooming
Keeps their fur clean and is a social activity. They spend about 20% of their day grooming each other. At stressful times adults may grab an infant, hold it between them and tooth-chatter. This behaviour, unique to Barbary Macaques, is thought to help keep peace in the group.
Infant Care
Babies are born every summer after five to six months gestation. Most group members can be seen playing with, grooming or resting with infants, regardless of their relationship to them. Often females are content to let other 'aunts' help care for the babies after the first few days. Look out for a common grouping of a baby, mother and 'aunt'. Male Barbary Macaques are unusual amongst primates in that they take a friendly, close interest in infants. You can often see males carrying babies or keeping an eye on them. Sometimes this communal infant care causes stress, you may see pouting, threats and tooth-chattering when a mother disputes custody of her baby with an over enthusiastic baby-sitter.
Background
Male Macaques live for about 15 to 17 years and females live 18 to 22 years. Every birth and death is recorded by Sites Management and each ape is given an official name at birth.
In 1915 the Government provided money for the Army to feed the monkeys and reduce the roaming and marauding that occurred. Responsibility for the monkeys has now reverted back to the Government of Gibraltar. The monkeys often supplement their diet with a few wild plants and can sometimes be seen foraging in the early morning. The monkeys are used to people so you can get close to them. Some may even approach you, but please do not touch them, monkeys will bite if frightened or annoyed.
If you see only a few active monkeys on site at first, please be patient and look carefully at the cliff/trees where you will probably spot some more. They spend over 30% of their day interacting with visitors but remember, they are still semi-wild animals. They need time to rest and take part in other 'monkey activities', free from interference.
Pouting
A warning to keep your distance.
Tooth Chattering
They do this to calm down and make-up after confrontations.
Grooming
Keeps their fur clean and is a social activity. They spend about 20% of their day grooming each other. At stressful times adults may grab an infant, hold it between them and tooth-chatter. This behaviour, unique to Barbary Macaques, is thought to help keep peace in the group.
Infant Care
Babies are born every summer after five to six months gestation. Most group members can be seen playing with, grooming or resting with infants, regardless of their relationship to them. Often females are content to let other 'aunts' help care for the babies after the first few days. Look out for a common grouping of a baby, mother and 'aunt'. Male Barbary Macaques are unusual amongst primates in that they take a friendly, close interest in infants. You can often see males carrying babies or keeping an eye on them. Sometimes this communal infant care causes stress, you may see pouting, threats and tooth-chattering when a mother disputes custody of her baby with an over enthusiastic baby-sitter.
Background
Male Macaques live for about 15 to 17 years and females live 18 to 22 years. Every birth and death is recorded by Sites Management and each ape is given an official name at birth.
In 1915 the Government provided money for the Army to feed the monkeys and reduce the roaming and marauding that occurred. Responsibility for the monkeys has now reverted back to the Government of Gibraltar. The monkeys often supplement their diet with a few wild plants and can sometimes be seen foraging in the early morning. The monkeys are used to people so you can get close to them. Some may even approach you, but please do not touch them, monkeys will bite if frightened or annoyed.
If you see only a few active monkeys on site at first, please be patient and look carefully at the cliff/trees where you will probably spot some more. They spend over 30% of their day interacting with visitors but remember, they are still semi-wild animals. They need time to rest and take part in other 'monkey activities', free from interference.
Simply Steve
