Gibraltar
dependent territory of the UKIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)
Gibraltar as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 85 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, | which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on | the southern coast of Spain
15 fieldsLand useshare of 6.5 sq km
Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Terrain
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
- lowest point:
- Mediterranean Sea 0 m
- highest point:
- Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Environment
- current issues:
- limited natural freshwater resources, so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water
- natural hazards:
- NA
- international agreements:
- NA
Geographic note
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Religions(1981)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 20% (male 3,109; female 2,728)
- 15-64 years:
- 66% (male 10,668; female 8,292)
- 65 years and over:
- 14% (male 1,582; female 2,386) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.14 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.29 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.66 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 1.15 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Dependent territory of the UK; Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March 1993); Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988) was appointed by the governor
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 15 seatsone dot, one seat
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March 1993)
- head of government:
- Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988) was appointed by the governor
Gibraltar Council
advises the governor; cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed from the elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
House of Assembly
- elections last held 16 January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1996);
- results - SL 73.3%, SD 20.2%, NP 4.7%, independents 1.8%;
- seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, SD 7
Political parties and leaders
- Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party (SL), Joe BOSSANO;
- Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader Adolfo CANEPA;
- Gibraltar Social Democrats (SD), Peter CARUANA;
- Gibraltar National Party (NP), Joe GARCIA
Other political or pressure groups
- Housewives Association;
- Chamber of Commerce;
- Gibraltar Representatives Organization
Flag
- 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
Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping | trade and offshore banking.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 47,000 kW
Economic overview
Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy. The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue.
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.
Industries
- tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce;
- support to large UK naval and air bases;
- tobacco, mineral waters, beer, canned fish
Exports
$57 million (f.o.b., 1992)
- commodities:
- (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%
- partners:
- UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG
Imports
$420 million (c.i.f., 1992)
- commodities:
- fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
- partners:
- UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands
Exchange rates
- Gibraltar pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991);
- note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine
- total:
- 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 357,730 GRT/635,769 DWT
- ships by type:
- bulk 1, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, oil tanker 13 (1995 est.)
Communications
British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
8 fieldsTelephone system
adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities
- domestic:
- automatic exchange facilities
- international:
- radiotelephone;
- microwave radio relay;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Gibraltar.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/gibraltar/1996.