1. GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY

Gibraltar is situated in latitude 36º 7' North and longitude 5º 21' West at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Rock itself is a mass of Jurassic limestone which runs from north to south for a length of 6 kilometres and a width of 1.2 kilometres. The total area of Gibraltar is 6 square kilometres.

The northern end of the peninsula is a flat, sandy isthmus by which the Rock is connected to the Spanish mainland. The Gibraltar-Spain frontier crosses the isthmus. It is extensively built over and includes the Gibraltar Airport.

The northern and eastern faces of Gibraltar are steep cliffs reaching a maximum altitude of 426 metres above sea level at O'hara's Battery. The western slopes of Gibraltar are the least steep and the main built-up areas are at their base.

Gibraltar forms the eastern flank of the Bay of Gibraltar.

2. CLIMATE

The climate of Gibraltar is Mediterranean, a warm, dry summer alternating with a mild, wet winter. During the year daily mean temperatures are within the range 12º C (January) to 24º C (August). Snow or frost is extremely rare. Annual rainfall averages 899 millimetres but year to year fluctuations are high.

Humid easterly winds deflected upwards by the sheer east face of the Rock, frequently produce a dense cloud cover known as the Levanter.

3. NATURAL HISTORY

The natural of Gibraltar testifies to the Rock's privileged geographical location, only 21 kilometres from Africa. Over 600 species of wild flowers have been identified including some which are unique to the Rock, in particular the Gibraltar Sea Lavender and The Gibraltar Chickweed. The Gibraltar Candytuft is unique in Europe.

The Barbary Partridge, unique on the European mainland, was introduced during the early eighteenth century.

The geographical situation of Gibraltar, between Europe and Africa and between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, make it an important focal point for migrating birds, fish, whales and dolphins. Among these are the spectacular migration of birds of prey. Migration counts in Gibraltar have reached eleven and a half thousand of prey in a single day.