Gibraltar

NAIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)

Gibraltar as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 91 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalGibraltar

Position36 11 N, 5 22 W

Area6.5 sq km

LocationSouthwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar,

Populationas each edition published it

28,913 people July 1997 est. · 29,572 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.48% 1997 est. · 0.53% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 38.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

78.01 years 1997 est. · 76.06 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.23 children per woman 1997 est. · 2.4 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 1997 est. · 6 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$6,600 1993 est. · $4,600 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 5% in 1993

Geography

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, | which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the | southern coast of Spain

18 fields

Area

6.5sq km

land: 6.5 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Coastline

12km

territorial sea: 3 nm

Highest point

426m

Rock of Gibraltarlowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Land boundaries

1.2km

border countries: Spain 1.2 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

Climate

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Land use

arable land:: NA%
permanent crops:: NA%
permanent pastures:: NA%
forests and woodland :: NA%
other:: 100% (1993 est.)

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources, so large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water

Environment - international agreements

party to:: NA
signed, but not ratified:: NA

Geography - note

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

People

15 fields

Population

28,913

(July 1997 est.)growth rate: 0.48% (1997 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1997 est.)

Birth

13.45Death

8.78Net migration

0.14

Religions(1981)

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

Literacy

95%

abovedefinition: NAmale: NA%female : NA%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 20% (male 3,121; female 2,725)
15-64 years:: 66% (male 10,771; female 8,278) 65 years and over : 14% (male 1,629; female 2,389) (July 1997 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth :: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.14 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1.3 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population:: 1.16 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate

6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: 78.01 years
male :: 74.7 years
female:: 81.47 years (1997 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Gibraltarian(s)
adjective:: Gibraltar

Ethnic groups

Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, Spanish

Languages

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

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Admiral Sir Richard LUCE (NA February 1997); Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)

20 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

53%

SD 53%SL 42%NP 3%last held 16 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2000)

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Gibraltar

National holiday

Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)

Suffrage

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

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Admiral Sir Richard LUCE (NA February 1997)
head of government:: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers appointed from among the elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister

note: there is also a Gibraltar Council that advises the governor

elections:: none;
the queen is a hereditary monarch;
governor appointed by the queen;
chief minister appointed by the governor

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats, 15 elected; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:: last held 16 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results :: percent of vote by party - SD 53%, SL 42%, NP 3%; seats by party - SD 8, SL 7

Political parties and leaders

Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or SL [Joe BOSSANO];
Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights or GCL/AACR [Adolfo CANEPA];
Gibraltar Social Democrats or SD [Peter CARUANA];
Gibraltar National Party or NP [Joe GARCIA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Housewives Association;
Chamber of Commerce;
Gibraltar Representatives Organization

International organization participation

Interpol (subbureau)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (dependent 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

Economy

Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping | trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international | conference center.

22 fields

Labor force

14,800

(including non-Gibraltar laborers)by occupation : services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL

Debt - external

$318million

(1987)

Budget

Revenues

$111.6 millionExpenditures

$115.6 million (1995-96)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

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 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.

agriculture:: NA%
industry:: NA%
services :: NA%

tourism, banking and finance, construction, commerce;
support to large UK naval and air bases;
tobacco, mineral waters, beer, canned fish

total value:: $57 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%
partners :: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG

Imports

total value:: $708 million (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
partners:: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands

Gibraltar pounds (£G) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992);
note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

Communications

6 fields

Fixed lines

19,356

(1994)

Telephone 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)

Transportation

7 fields

Networkskm

Highways

49.9Pipelines

Highways: (including 12.9 km public highways) · paved: 49.9 km · unpaved: 0 km

Railways

total : NA km; 1.000-m gauge system in dockyard area only

Highways

total:: 49.9 km (including 12.9 km public highways)
paved:: 49.9 km
unpaved:: 0 km

Ports and harbors

Gibraltar

Merchant marine

total :: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 356,676 GRT/633,152 DWT
ships by type:: bulk 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oil tanker 14 (1996 est.)