La Linea de la Concepcion

La Linea de la Concepcio

The most significant fact about La Linea de la Concepcion is its proximity to Gibraltar, a British territory from which the La Linea of today got much of its social and economic influences.

Geographically, it is a plain over Algericas Bay. Its main activities are fishing and horticulture.

It holds the distinction as the youngest among the towns in Spain where cost of living is low.

Linea De La Concepcion rises above sea level by about 4 miles. With inhabitants of more than 60,000, it is a vacation getaway with pleasant and convenient amenities. And, with daily bus services coming and going its neighbouring cities and towns, it is truly a leisure trip.

La Linea de la Concepcion has a chequered past of invasions from English forces and by Spain of Gibraltar to England which has dramatically affected La Linea.

The history of this town dates back to the Fall of Gibraltar

Earlier, La Linea was occupied by the invading English Forces who were trying to get to Gibraltar. Seeing the military importance of La Linea, Felipe V ordered its invasion but failed. By virtue of the Treaty of Utrecht, to which Spain was a signatory, Gibraltar was surrendered to England.

To totally eliminate interaction with Gibraltar, a fortress was built in 1730. This was named “La Linea de Gibraltar”. But due to the invasion of Napoleon and his troops, Spain entered into a coalition with England to fight the invading army. The fortress was then destroyed by England to shun takeover of it by the French.

After its troubled past, when hostilities were finally over, many Gibaltarians stayed at La Linea and set up community there. Soon this grew and in 1870, La Linea was separated from San Roque. A name was decided for this new town. La Linea de la Concepcion came to be since the town’s patron saint during the war was the Immaculate Concepcion.