Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Introduction

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 to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 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, tripartite talks among Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have been held 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. 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, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability.

Geography

Location

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 references

Europe

Area

total: 6.5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 242 land:6.5 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

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

Land boundaries

total: 1.2 km
border countries: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 extremes

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

Natural resources

none

Land use

arable land: 0%
permanent crops:0%
other:100% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Natural hazards

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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Gibraltarian(s)
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%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census)

Population

28,956 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 3,040/female 2,862)
15-64 years:65.8% (male 9,607/female 9,451)
65 years and over:13.8% (male 1,934/female 2,062) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 33.3 years
male:32.4 years
female:34.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.273% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Birth rate

14.23 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Death rate

8.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Net migration rate

-3.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.93 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 167 male:7.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female:5.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.68 years
country comparison to the world: 47 male:75.84 years
female:81.72 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.96 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: NA
total population:above 80%
male:NA
female:NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Gibraltar

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Government type

NA

Capital

name: Gibraltar
geographic coordinates:36 08 N, 5 21 W
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March

ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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

5 June 2006

came into force 2 January 2007

Legal system

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

and British citizens who have been residents six months or more

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

represented by Governor Vice Admiral Sir Adrian JOHNS (since 26 October 2009)
head of government:Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

governor appointed by the monarch

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the speaker appointed by Parliament

members serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later than 8 December 2011)
election results:percent of vote by party – GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%, Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%

seats by party – GSD 10, GSLP 4, Gibraltar Liberal Party 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]

Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]

Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chamber of Commerce

Gibraltar Representatives Organization

Women’s Association

International organization participation

Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation 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 symbol(s)

Barbary macaque

National anthem

name: “Gibraltar Anthem”
lyrics/music:Peter EMBERLEY
note:adopted 1994

serves as a local anthem

as a territory of the United Kingdom, “God Save the Queen” remains official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

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. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), 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%. 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.275 billion (2008)
country comparison to the world: 195 $1.203 billion (2007 est.)
$1.106 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.106 billion (2006 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 53 8.8% (2007)
0% (2006 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$43,000 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16 $41,200 (2007 est.)
$38,400 (2006 est.)

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0%
industry:0%
services:100% (2008 est.)

Labor force

12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001)
country comparison to the world: 213

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: negligible
industry:40%
services:60% (2001)

Unemployment rate

3% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Budget

revenues: $475.8 million
expenditures:$452.3 million (2008 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

43% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Public debt

7.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126 13.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 94 2.6% (2006)

Agriculture – products

none

Industries

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Electricity – production

156 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Electricity – consumption

156 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Oil – consumption

25,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Oil – imports

26,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141

Exports

$271 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

Exports – commodities

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods

Imports

$2.967 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140

Imports – commodities

fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs

Debt – external

$NA

Exchange rates

Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar -
0.6388 (2010)
0.6175 (2009)
0.4993 (2007)
0.5418 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

1 (2010)
country comparison to the world:220

Airports – with paved runways

total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 29 km
country comparison to the world: 218 paved:29 km (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 265
country comparison to the world: 32 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 139, chemical tanker 65, container 35, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 8
foreign-owned:250 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 6, Finland 2, Germany 125, Greece 7, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 33, Norway 42, Singapore 1, Sweden 12, UAE 5, UK 4)
note:this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag

these ships operate under the laws of the flag state
registered in other countries:6 (Liberia 5, Panama 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Gibraltar

Military

Military branches

Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 7,037 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 6,017
females age 16-49:5,706 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 228
female:220 (2010 est.)

Military – note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992

Transnational Issues

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