Gibraltar has seen many waves of immigration over the centuries. According to Professor Clive Finlayson of the Gibraltar Museum, "Gibraltar has multiple histories". In 1704 the vast majority of Spanish inhabitants left Gibraltar in the tumult surrounding the British invasion and the anticipated counter-attack from Spain. Since then waves of immigration have brought in Italians, Maltese, Jews and Moroccans.

In 1969 Spanish dictator Francisco Franco closed the border between Spain and Gibraltar. This closure, which lasted until 1982, had a profound effect on the Gibraltarian community as a sense of solidarity and camaraderie developed amongst the Rock's inhabitants.

The history of Gibraltar, and the diversity of its population, has led to a sense of community and harmony in the territory, which transcends ethnic and religious divisions with Catholic, Jewish and Muslim inhabitants living peacefully together.

The majority of Gibraltarians are bilingual speaking both English and Spanish. However the combination of British politeness, education and approach to work with the warmth, vivacity and vitality of the Mediterranean temperament coupled with a distinctive Gibraltarian entrepreneurial drive, has allowed a clear sense of Gibraltarian identity to develop, separate from that of the UK or Spain. Indeed children in Gibraltar rarely see a sheep or cow but are well acquainted with wild apes!