History of Gibraltar the narrowest points in the Mediterranean, only from the coast of Morocco in North Africa. Its position on the bay makes it an advantageous natural anchorage for ships. As one writer has put it, "whoever controls Gibraltar also controls the movement of ships into and out of the Mediterranean. In terms of military and naval power, few places have a more strategic location than Gibraltar." The territory's area measures only . Most of the land area is occupied by the steeply sloping Rock of Gibraltar which reaches a height of . The town of Gibraltar lies at the base of
Gibraltar South Mole Lighthouse the North Mole and the (middle) Detached Mole. The southern entry is between the Detached Mole and the South Mole. The Gibraltar South Mole Lighthouse "(shown on map)" is located at the north end of the South Mole of Gibraltar Harbour. It is positioned at the "A" head of the South Mole (formerly specified as the extension), from which it derives its alternate name. The lighthouse and port are to the north of the east end of the Strait of Gibraltar, the entryway to the Mediterranean Sea, and west of the Rock of Gibraltar. The South Mole Lighthouse comprises a