Historic Flags Flown In The EU: Gibraltar
Southern Spain has always been one of my favorite holiday destinations. This part of Spain and Gibraltar, which located at the most southern end or tip of the territory, is stunning in terms of culture and scenery. Gibraltar was once considered and marked as one limit of the world, this according to Europeans that is. During our visits to Southern Spain, my family and I would travel down to the British colony a good number of times.
Like other historical flags, but unlike independent nations in Europe, the ensign of Gibraltar is not an ensign that reflects Gibraltar’s independent state, which it is not. Even though a colony of the United Kingdom, this territory is fairly independent in different substantial ways. For some years, the colony has had their own respective ensign, which is hoisted on mostly residential flagpoles throughout the territory.
For as small as Gibraltar is, it is one of the most densely populated areas in the world! The colony counts some four thousand plus inhabitants per km2. The total population of counts nearly thirty thousand. Since Gibraltar is mostly surrounded by water, expansion occurs by reclaiming land from the sea. Interestingly, the current reclaimed area makes up about 10 percent of the total Gibraltarian land.
Back in 1704, a so-called “Anglo-Dutch” force captured this area as part of the war of the Spanish Succession. A short time later, the British took over this territory, and became an important stronghold and base to the British Navy. The colony’s economy relies heavily on tourism and financial type business and services. Also, shipping has become an important aspect of business for Gibraltar.
During the events of World War 2, the folks or civilian inhabitants were evacuated to parts of Britain, including the city of London, and other parts of the world, including Jamaica. The Germans were seeking to overtake and capture this impressive rock for strategic warfare purposes. At the time, Spain’s dictator frustrated a plan of the Germans in taking over Gibraltar’s rock.
Tourism is a substantial industry for this colony that is located some 900 miles from the United Kingdom. Gibraltar has become a popular port for cruise-ships that sail in and out of the Mediterranean Sea. Also, visitors that travel through Spain often make the British colony a hot item on their list of places to see. The territory flag’s design is a very fitting representation of the colony’s culture and such. The Spanish flag is very much likewise in that sense, and is also hoisted on Spanish flag poles throughout the country of Spain.
For more free information on historical flags and flagpoles click here.
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