Background: Strategically important Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in 1713. In a 1967 referendum Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.

Map reference: Africa, Europe

Area
Total area total: 6.5 km²
Land: 6.5 km²

Land boundaries: total 1.2 km, Spain 1.2 km

Coastline: 12 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders The Rock

Natural resources: negligible

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 0%
Forest and woodland: 0%
Other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: NA

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 31,684 (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: 0.58% (1994 est.)

Nationality: noun:Gibraltarian(s)

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

Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, other 3%), Moslem 8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981)

Population growth rate: 0.58% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: 15.37 births/1000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate: 8.87 deaths/1000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.73 migrant(s)/1000 population (1994 est.)

Environment
Current issues: natural freshwater sources are meager, so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water
International agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: 8.1 deaths/1000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 76.33 years
Male: 73.44 years
Female: 79.19 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.33 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Literacy
Total population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%

Government type: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Gilbraltar

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)

Constitution: 30 May 1969

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects resident six months or more

Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Gen. Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March 1993)
Head of government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988)
Gibraltar Council: advises the governor

Legislative branch: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
House of Assembly: elections last held on 16 January 1992 (next to be held January 1996); results - SL 73.3%; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) number of seats by party NA

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal

International organization participation: INTERPOL (subbureau)

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

Economy overview: The British military presence has been severely reduced and now only contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism and shipping services fees also generate income. Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector, changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of employment. Construction workers are particularly affected when government expenditures are cut.

Real gdp growth rate: 5% (FY87)

Real gdp per capita: $4,600 (FY87)

Agriculture products: none

Industries: tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce; support to large UK naval and air bases; transit trade and supply depot in the port; light manufacturing of tobacco, roasted coffee, ice, mineral waters, candy, beer, and canned fish

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)
Note: UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor force

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues:$136 million

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Exports: $82 million (f.o.b., 1988)
Commodities: (principally re-exports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%
Partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG

Imports: $258 million (c.i.f., 1988)
Commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
Partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands

Debt external: $318 million (1987)

Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989; note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound

Electricity
Capacity: 47,000 kW
Production: 200 million kWh
Consumption per capita: 6,740 kWh (1992)

Airports: 1
Usable: 1
With permanent surface runways: 1
With runways over 3659 m: 0
With runways 2440-3659 m: 0
With runways 1220-2439 m: 1

Pipelines: none

Disputes international: source of occasional friction between Spain and the UK