Why did Spain give up Gibraltar?

Why did Spain give up Gibraltar?

The Iberian Peninsula encompasses the territories of Portugal, Spain, and Andorra, as well as part of France and Great Britain…the latter, often being forgotten. But, while the homeland of the former British Empire floats a bit further north than the peninsula, what some don’t always remember is that just below the borders of Spain sits a tiny, yet crucial, piece of land known as Gibraltar. And Gibraltar belongs to the British.

Looking at a map of Europe, however, begs the question: why does Britain own Gibraltar? Why isn’t it part of Spain instead?...

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Skylar J. Gordon

#History #Documentary

[jonjon]

Im Gibraltarian, its surprising and nice to see my very tiny irrelevant homeland getting a little bit of attention :-)

[Sereno]

My grandmother was born and raised in Gibraltar. She was so proud of it. Her family moved to New York, where she met a son of an Italian and got married. Then they moved to Costa Rica. My mom visited Gibraltar on 2011.

[scottsanders]

It’s a myth that the inhabitants are all British. It’s about 25% of each Spanish and British. Genoese/Italian are about another 20% and Portuguese and Moroccan account for around 10% each as well. It is a very diverse place.

[ryangerrard]

It’s also worth noting that the population is not exclusively of British origin, yes some are, but there’s also Italians, Maltans, Arabs, a variety of people & yes they chose to stay part of the UK not Spain!

[m.aryaanamiri]

If Spain has a problem with Gibraltar being British, they should cede ceuta and other territories in North Africa to Morroco.

[JorgeLuis-gdwx]

Gibraltar is the size of my neighbourhood, 30 houses do not enter there. But does it has naval importance.

[CartoType]

When I was briefly a teaching assistant in Sweden, Gunnar, the head of the English department, delighted in setting translation tests for the students. One sentence always came up: Det brittiska lejonet bevakar ingången till medelhavet. (The British lion guards the entrance to the Mediterranean.) I miss old Gunnar Hammarlund. A great Anglophile.

[stevedunn]

Vichy French were busy exporting Jewish French to the Nazis at thatime. We faught them in Algeria too and sank there fleet of ships. Due to the fact the French had a big navy and were controlled by Germany.

[bobhenry]

The first time I've seen France and England described as being part of the Iberian Peninsula. Britain has water on 4 sides, making it an island. It's included in their definition, but they leave out most of the Emerald Isle. WTF?

[rbbrnthegreat]

I feel if Spain handed over in a treaty is Sovereign British territory Spanish respect your word

[georgiewalker]

I don't even think Spanish people even care about Gibraltar anymore, I have heard that it is mostly only far right Vox voters who care. I don't think most Spanish people have nationalism that looney

[tomjohnston]

Even London is not "British" today so Spain shouldn't feel too bad...

[davidguilbertrozenman]

It is a pity the people of Hong Kong and Macau were not consulted by plebiscite if they wanted to stay with the UK and Portugal or be part of Red China, or be independent.

[duckndive.]

Gibraltar is a British protectorate. It remains so on the basis that the Gibraltarians want it. If they vote to join Spain it will happen.

[Waterford]

8:09 That is the result of the 2016 EU referendum within Gibraltar not the vote on sovereignty which was in 1967 and 2002

[contingency]

Even the Spanish population of Gibraltar want it to remain British.

[marcperis]

I would say more than feeling British, they would just not receive the same benefits from the Spanish government

[BobK]

Geographic location does not automatically confer ownership.

[williamlee]

Funny how Spain wants Gibraltar but won’t give back lands to Morocco.

[jonathanrapley]

Let's not forget Ceuta, Mellia and the Canary Islands when talking about Gibraltar. We always say why shouldn't Gibraltar be Spanish, while Spain are doing the exact same thing in Africa to Morocco.