Geography
Gibraltar, an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, is between the southern tip of Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar; it is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.

The terrain consists of a long limestone mountain known as the Rock. There are no permanent natural water supplies.

The climate of Gibraltar is Mediterranean: warm summers and mild winters.

Environment
A variety of flora can be found on the Rock. Palms, bougainvillea, Gibraltar Sea Lavender and Gibraltar Candytuft are numbered among hundreds of plants growing on the peninsula.

Gibraltar's famous Barbary Apes, or Macaques, are the only wild monkeys living in Europe. Other wildlife includes over three hundred species of birds - the Rock is an important staging point on the flight path of migratory birds which winter in Africa.

Marine creatures, such as dolphins, flying fish, whales and turtles, inhabit the Bay and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Architecture
Buildings in Gibraltar reflect occupation by the Moors, Spanish and British.

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust, formed in 1986, is responsible for the restoration and preservation of a number of buildings including the Moorish Castle and the Tower of Homage, Parson's Lodge Battery, and City Hall.

Another building of note in Gibraltar is the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, originally a mosque, converted to a church and extended at the beginning of the sixteenth century.

Population
The population of Gibraltar was estimated at 28,002 in 2008.

Languages
English is the official language. Other languages spoken are Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Religion
The majority of Gibraltarians are Roman Catholics.

Food
The cuisine of Gibraltar is influenced by its ethnic groups: British, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian (mainly Genoese), Maltese, German and Moroccan. American, Chinese and Indian food is also available.

National favourites include tortilla and calentita, a quiche made from chick pea flour.

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