2017 Edition

Background

Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led Spain to close the border and sever all communication links. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. A new noncolonial constitution came into force in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory. Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols and in 2013, the British reported a record number of entries by Spanish vessels into waters claimed by Gibraltar following a dispute over Gibraltar's creation of an artificial reef in those waters. Spain renewed its demands for an eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish control after the UK’s June 2016 vote to leave the EU, but London has dismissed any connection between the vote and its future commitment to Gibraltar.

Area

6.5 sq km 6.5 sq km 0 sq km

land

6.5 sq km

total

6.5 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Climate

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Coastline

12 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

limited natural freshwater resources

large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Geographic coordinates

36 08 N, 5 21 W

Geography - note

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory

note 1

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

note 2

one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

1.2 km Spain 1.2 km

border countries (1)

Spain 1.2 km

total

1.2 km

Land use

0% arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% 0% 100% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

0%

forest

0%

other

100% (2011 est.)

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

3 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

occasional droughts; no streams or large bodies of water on the peninsula (all potable water comes from desalination)

Natural resources

none

Terrain

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Age structure

20.22% (male 3,045/female 2,899) 14.34% (male 2,199/female 2,017) 39.67% (male 5,958/female 5,703) 9.68% (male 1,232/female 1,614) 16.09% (male 2,329/female 2,400) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

20.22% (male 3,045/female 2,899)

15-24 years

14.34% (male 2,199/female 2,017)

25-54 years

39.67% (male 5,958/female 5,703)

55-64 years

9.68% (male 1,232/female 1,614)

65 years and over

16.09% (male 2,329/female 2,400) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Gibraltarian 79%, other British 13.2%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccan 1.6%, other EU 2.4%, other 1.6% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

6.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

79.6 years 76.7 years 82.6 years (2017 est.)

female

82.6 years (2017 est.)

male

76.7 years

total population

79.6 years

Major urban areas - population

GIBRALTAR (capital) 29,000 (2014)

Median age

34.7 years 33.8 years 35.7 years (2017 est.)

female

35.7 years (2017 est.)

male

33.8 years

total

34.7 years

Nationality

Gibraltarian(s) Gibraltar

adjective

Gibraltar

noun

Gibraltarian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

29,396 (July 2017 est.)

Population growth rate

0.23% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 72.1%, Church of England 7.7%, other Christian 3.8%, Muslim 3.6%, Jewish 2.4%, Hindu 2%, other 1.1%, none 7.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2012 est.)

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.97 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

100% of total population (2017) 0.01% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.01% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

Gibraltar 36 08 N, 5 21 W UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

36 08 N, 5 21 W

name

Gibraltar

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006, entered into effect 14 December 2006, entered into force 2 January 2007 proposed by Parliament and require prior consent of the British monarch (through the Secretary of State); passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in Parliament followed by simple majority vote in a referendum; note – only sections 1 through 15 in Chapter 1 (Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) can be amended by Parliament (2016)

amendments

proposed by Parliament and require prior consent of the British monarch (through the Secretary of State); passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in Parliament followed by simple majority vote in a referendum; note – only sections 1 through 15 in Chapter 1 (Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) can be amended by Parliament (2016)

history

previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006, entered into effect 14 December 2006, entered into force 2 January 2007

Country name

none Gibraltar from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Gibraltar

etymology

from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Lt. Gen. Edward DAVIS (since 19 January 2016) Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011) Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Lt. Gen. Edward DAVIS (since 19 January 2016)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor

head of government

Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011)

Flag description

two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band; the design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July 1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (consists of at least 3 judges, including the court president); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 7-member body of judges and appointees of the governor; tenure of the Court of Appeal president based on terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice and judges normally appointed until retirement at age 67 but can be extended 3 years Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized tribunals for issues relating to social security, taxes, and employment

highest resident court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of at least 3 judges, including the court president); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 7-member body of judges and appointees of the governor; tenure of the Court of Appeal president based on terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice and judges normally appointed until retirement at age 67 but can be extended 3 years

subordinate courts

Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized tribunals for issues relating to social security, taxes, and employment

Legal system

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by majority vote and 1 appointed by Parliament as speaker; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 26 November 2015 (next to be held not later than December 2019) percent of vote by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 68.4% (GSLP 47.8%, LPG 20.6%), GSD 31.6%; seats by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 10 (GSLP 7, LPG 3), GSD 7

description

unicameral Parliament (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by majority vote and 1 appointed by Parliament as speaker; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 68.4% (GSLP 47.8%, LPG 20.6%), GSD 31.6%; seats by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 10 (GSLP 7, LPG 3), GSD 7

elections

last held on 26 November 2015 (next to be held not later than December 2019)

National anthem

"Gibraltar Anthem" Peter EMBERLEY adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Peter EMBERLEY

name

"Gibraltar Anthem"

note

adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain

National symbol(s)

Barbary macaque; national colors: red, white, yellow

Barbary macaque; national colors

red, white, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA] Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Roy CLINTON, interim leader] Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO] GSLP-Liberal Alliance (includes GSLP and LPG) Liberal Party of Gibraltar or LPG Progressive Democratic Party [Nick CRUZ]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chamber of Commerce Gibraltar Representatives Organization Women's Association

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; and British citizens with six months residence or more

Agriculture - products

none

Budget

$475.8 million $452.3 million (2008 est.)

expenditures

$452.3 million (2008 est.)

revenues

$475.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.1% of GDP (2008 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. The financial sector, tourism (over 11 million visitors in 2012), gaming revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the remaining 15%.

Exchange rates

Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.64 (2012)

Exports

$202.3 million (2014 est.) $271 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods (2010 est.)

Exports - partners

Spain 22.5%, Poland 16.7%, Netherlands 15.1%, UK 9.9%, Belgium 8.5%, Cote dIvoire 5%, Lebanon 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0% 0% 100% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0%

industry

0%

services

100% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$61,700 (2014 est.) $43,000 (2008 est.) $41,200 (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.044 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.044 billion (2014 est.) $1.85 billion (2013 est.) $2 billion (2012 est.) data are in 2014 dollars

note

data are in 2014 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$2.967 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, manufactured goods, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

US 22.3%, India 15.2%, Italy 11.2%, Spain 8.6%, Netherlands 7.2%, UK 6.1%, Greece 5.3%, France 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2013 est.) 2.2% (2012 est.)

Labor force

24,420 (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NEGL 1.8% 98.2% (2014 est.)

agriculture

NEGL

industry

1.8%

services

98.2% (2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate

1% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.6 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

188.6 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

43,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

194.6 million kWh (2015 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

70,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

58,300 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio broadcasting services via 1 TV station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible (2008)

Internet country code

.gi

Internet users

27,699 94.4% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

94.4% (July 2016 est.)

total

27,699

Telephone system

adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities automatic exchange facilities country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

automatic exchange facilities

general assessment

adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities

international

country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

17,027 58 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

58 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

17,027

Telephones - mobile cellular

45,714 156 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

156 (July 2016 est.)

total

45,714

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-G (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 3, cargo 146, chemical tanker 64, container 28, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 8 254 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 2, Germany 123, Greece 8, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 34, Norway 46, Sweden 11, UAE 5, UK 6) 6 (Liberia 5, Panama 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 3, cargo 146, chemical tanker 64, container 28, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned

254 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 2, Germany 123, Greece 8, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 34, Norway 46, Sweden 11, UAE 5, UK 6)

registered in other countries

6 (Liberia 5, Panama 1) (2010)

total

267

Ports and terminals

Gibraltar

major seaport(s)

Gibraltar

Roadways

29 km 29 km (2007)

paved

29 km (2007)

total

29 km

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992

Military branches

Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2013)

Disputes - international

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy