Alcatraz, on the Rock - United States California

Special feature United States California : Alcatraz, on the Rock

Named in 1775 Alcatraces (Spanish), which means the Pelican Island, this rock facing San Francisco became America's most famous prison. Impossible to escape from it, it was called The Rock by its occupants. From 1934 to 1963, over 1500 prisoners were held here. One of the most famous was Al Capone who was terrorised by his inmates who called him 'scab' and 'rat'. The detention conditions were drastic, it was forbidden to talk, read newspapers, even play cards... In 1962, three men escaped from the island, and ever since, the government decided to close the prison indefinitely. Furthermore, the maintenance costs were too high. Nowadays only the birds and the tourists dare come here.

  The city of the thousand hills

The Piers  

Contents

• 1

  A mosaic of people and cultures

  
• 2

  The cable cars

  
• 3

  The city of the thousand hills

  
• 4

  Alcatraz, on the Rock

  
• 5

  The Piers

  
• 6

  Golden Gate Bridge

  
• 7

  Chinatown

  
• 8

  Swing in church

  
• 9

  Long live the Crab

  
• 10

  Baseball bar