
Gibraltar in the World
Gibraltar - Introduction 2016
top of pageBackground: 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. 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. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect 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.
Gibraltar - Geography 2016
top of pageLocation: Southwestern Europe bordering the Strait of Gibraltar which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean on the southern coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 36 08 N 5 21 W
Map reference: Europe
Area
Total: 6.5 km²
Land: 6.5 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 244
Comparative: more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington D.C.
Land boundaries
Total: 1.2 km
Border countries: (1) Spain 1.2 km
Coastline: 12 km
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Elevation
Mean elevation: NA
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m: highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources: none
Land use
Land use
Agricultural land: 0%
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pasture: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pasture: 0%
Forest: 0%
Other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA
Major rivers
Major watersheds area km²
Total water withdrawal
Total renewable water resources
Natural hazards: NA
Geography
Note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Gibraltar - People 2016
top of pagePopulation: 29,328 (July 2016 est.)
Rank: 219
Growth rate: 0.24% (2016 est.)
Growth rate rank: 182
Below poverty line: NA%
Nationality
Noun: Gibraltarian
Adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic groups: Spanish Italian English Maltese Portuguese German North Africans
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes) Spanish Italian Portuguese
Religions: Roman Catholic 78.1% Church of England 7% Muslim 4% other Christian 3.2% Jewish 2.1% Hindu 1.8% other 0.9% none 2.9% (2001 est.)
Demographic profile
Age structure
Age structure
0-14 years: 20.12%
15-24 years: 15.02%
25-54 years: 38.94%
55-64 years: 10.15%
65 years and over: 15.76% (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
Median age
Total: 34.5 years
Male: 33.6 years
Female: 33.5 years
Rank: 81
Population growth rate: 0.24% (2016 est.)
Rank: 182
Birth rate: 14.1 births/1000 population (2016 est.)
Rank: 138
Death rate: 8.4 deaths/1000 population (2016 est.)
Rank: 82
Net migration rate: -3.3 migrant(s)/1000 population (2016 est.)
Rank: 182
Population distribution
Urbanization
Urban population: 100% of total population
Rate of urbanization: 0.07% annual rate of change
Major urban areas
Population: GIBRALTAR (capital) 29,000 (2014)
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
Air pollutants
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.07 male/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male/female
15-24 years: 1.1 male/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male/female
55-64 years: 0.81 male/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male/female
Total population: 1.01 male/female
Mothers mean age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio
Infant mortality rate
Total: 6 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 6.7 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 5.3 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 167
Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 79.4 years
Male: 76.6 years
Female: 82.5 years
Rank: 46
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2016 est.)
Rank: 133
Contraceptive prevalence rate
Drinking water source
Current health expenditure
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
Sanitation facility access
Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate: NA
People living with hivaids: NA
Deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases
Obesity adult prevalence rate
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Youth unemployment
Gibraltar - Government 2016
top of pageCountry name
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
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Capital
Name: Gibraltar
Geographic coordinates: 36 08 N 5 21 W
Time difference: UTC+1
Daylight saving time: +1hr begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Dependent areas
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: National Day 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain
Constitution: previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006 entered into effect 14 December 2006 entered into force 2 January 2007 (2016)
Legal system: the laws of the UK where applicable apply
International law organization participation
Citizenship: see United Kingdom
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens with six months residence or more
Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II ; represented by Governor Lt. Gen. Edward DAVIS (since 19 January 2016)
Head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
Electionsappointments: 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
Legislative branch
Description: unicameral Parliament
Elections: last held on 26 November 2015
Election results: percent of vote by party - GSLP 68.4% GSD 31.6%; seats by party - GSLP 10 GSD 7
Judicial branch
Highest resident court: Court of Appeal ; 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 judge 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
Political parties and leaders:
Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]
Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Daniel FEETHAM]
Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO]
Progressive Democratic Party [Nick CRUZ]
Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Daniel FEETHAM]
Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO]
Progressive Democratic Party [Nick CRUZ]
International organization participation: ICC (NGOs) Interpol (subbureau) UPU
Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (overseas territory of the UK)
From the us: none (overseas territory of the UK)
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
National symbols: Barbary macaque; national colors: red white yellow
National anthem
Name: 'Gibraltar Anthem'
Lyrics and music: Peter EMBERLEY
Note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom 'God Save the Queen' remains official
National heritage
Gibraltar - Economy 2016
top of pageEconomy 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%.
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%.
Real gdp purchasing power parity:
$1.85 billion (2013 est.)
$2 billion (2012 est.)
$1.106 billion (2006 est.)
$2 billion (2012 est.)
$1.106 billion (2006 est.)
Rank: 197
Real gdp growth rate:
6% (2008 est.)
8.8% (2007 est.)
0% (2006 est.)
8.8% (2007 est.)
0% (2006 est.)
Rank: 29
Real gdp per capita:
$43,000 (2008 est.)
$41,200 (2007 est.)
$38,400 (2006 est.)
$41,200 (2007 est.)
$38,400 (2006 est.)
Rank: 37
Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end use
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 0%
Industry: 0%
Services: 100%
Agriculture products: none
Industries: tourism banking and finance ship repairing tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 22,910 (2013 est.)
Rank: 210
By occupation agriculture: NEGL
By occupation industry: 40%
By occupation services: 60%
Labor force
Unemployment rate: 3% (2005 est.)
Rank: 22
Youth unemployment
Population below poverty line: NA%
Gini index
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: NA%
Highest 10: NA%
Distribution of family income gini index
Budget
Revenues: $475.8 million
Expenditures: $452.3 million
Surplus or deficit: 1.3% of GDP (2008 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 18
Taxes and other revenues: 25.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
Rank: 114
Public debt:
7.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
9.3% of GDP (2006 est.)
9.3% of GDP (2006 est.)
Rank: 176
Revenue
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate consumer prices:
2.5% (2013 est.)
2.2% (2012 est.)
2.2% (2012 est.)
Rank: 134
Central bank discount rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
Stock of narrow money
Stock of broad money
Stock of domestic credit
Market value of publicly traded shares
Current account balance
Exports: $271 million (2004 est.)
Rank: 185
Commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51% manufactured goods (2010 est.)
Imports: $2.967 billion (2004 est.)
Rank: 143
Commodities: fuels manufactured goods foodstuffs
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Debt external: $N/A
Stock of direct foreign investment at home
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad
Exchange rates:
Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar -
0.885 (2015 est.)
0.7525 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.64 (2012)
0.624 (2011)
0.885 (2015 est.)
0.7525 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.64 (2012)
0.624 (2011)
Gibraltar - Energy 2016
top of pageElectricity
Production: 200 million kWh (2014 est.)
Production rank: 190
Consumption: 200 million kWh (2014 est.)
Consumption rank: 192
Exports: 0 kWh (2013 est.)
Exports rank: 143
Imports: 0 kWh (2013 est.)
Imports rank: 154
Installed generating capacity: 43,000 kW (2014 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 193
Generation sources fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 11
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 99
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 174
Generation sources other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 178
Coal
Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 140
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 129
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 196
Crude oil proven reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 138
Crude oil
Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products production rank: 187
Products consumption: 80,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Products consumption rank: 95
Products exports: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products exports rank: 184
Products imports: 76,680 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products imports rank: 76
Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Production rank: 193
Consumption: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Consumption rank: 147
Exports: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Exports rank: 106
Imports: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Imports rank: 201
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2014 es)
Proven reserves rank: 143
Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 3.6 million Mt (2013 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 132
Energy consumption per capita
Gibraltar - Communication 2016
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 23,400
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 80
Fixed lines rank: 179
Mobile cellular total: 38,000
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 130
Mobile cellular rank: 205
Telephone system
General assessment: adequate automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities
Domestic: automatic exchange facilities
International: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2015)
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
Users total: 24,000
Users percent of population: 82%
Users rank: 200
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Gibraltar - Military 2016
top of pageMilitary expenditures
Military and security forces
Military service age and obligation
Space program
Terrorist groups
Gibraltar - Transportation 2016
top of pageNational air transport system
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VP-G (2016)
Airports: 1 (2013)
Rank: 220
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
Heliports
Pipelines
Railways
Roadways
Total: 29 km
Paved: 29 km
Rank: 221
Waterways
Merchant marine
Total: 267
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
Registered in other countries: 6 (2010)
Rank: 32
Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Gibraltar
Gibraltar - Transnational issues 2016
top of pageDisputes 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Illicit drugs
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