 Country name conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar Background Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.Location Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Area total: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km Area - comparative about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Coastline 12 km 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 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 Population 27,776 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 2,593; female 2,482)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 9,458; female 8,946)
65 years and over: 15.4% (male 1,873; female 2,424) (2003 est.) Median age total: 38.8 years
male: 38.6 years
female: 39 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Gibraltarian(s)
adjective: Gibraltar Ethnic groups Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese Religions Roman Catholic 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7% (1991) Languages English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Internet country code .gi Literacy definition: NA
total population: above 80%
male: NA%
female: NA% Government type NA National holiday National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain Legal system English law International organization participation Interpol (subbureau) Economy - overview Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. 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), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. 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. Exports - partners UK 27.7%, Switzerland 14.3%, Germany 12%, France 6.9%, Spain 6.1%, Turkmenistan 5%, Ukraine 4.6% (2002) Currency Gibraltar pound (GIP) Currency code GIP Exchange rates Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Airports 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways Disputes - international Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony |
