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Gibraltar

Thirty-second orientation

Gibraltar at a glance

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 etymology: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic jabal tariq, which means "Mountain of Tariq" and refers to the Berber chief who captured the peninsula in A.D. 711; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Population: total: 29,733 (2025 est.) male: 14,923 female: 14,810; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Area: total : 7 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Nationality / demonym: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Government: parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Maintained classification

Dependency or area of special sovereignty

United Kingdom

U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

Maintained profile

Classification: Dependency or area of special sovereignty; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
Sovereignty or administration: United Kingdom; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31
Administrative center: Gibraltar; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Spain reluctantly ceded the strategically important Gibraltar to Great Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, and the British garrison at Gibraltar was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. After the UK granted Gibraltar autonomy in 1969, Spain closed the border and severed all communication links. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against sharing sovereignty with Spain. Since 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks to resolve problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services, communications and maritime security, legal and customs services, environmental protection, and education and visa services. A new noncolonial constitution came into force in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory. In 2009, for example, 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. Spain renewed its demands for an eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish control after the UK’s 2016 vote to leave the EU, but London has dismissed any connection between the vote and its sovereignty over Gibraltar.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography16 fields

Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 7 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries (1): Spain 1.2 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 12 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: none; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: NA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: occasional droughts; no streams or large bodies of water on the peninsula (all potable water comes from desalination); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society22 fields

Population: total: 29,733 (2025 est.) male: 14,923 female: 14,810; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Gibraltarian 79%, other British 13.2%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccan 1.6%, other EU 2.4%, other 1.6% (2012 est.) note: data represent population by nationality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Roman Catholic 72.1%, Church of England 7.7%, other Christian 3.8%, Muslim 3.6%, Jewish 2.4%, Hindu 2%, other 1.1%, none 7.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2012 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20% (male 3,045/female 2,895) 15-64 years: 62.5% (male 9,383/female 9,179) 65 years and over: 17.5% (2024 est.) (male 2,491/female 2,690); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 60 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 32.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 28 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.6 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 37.1 years (2025 est.) male: 36.2 years female: 37.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 0.16% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 13.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 35,000 GIBRALTAR (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 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 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.9 years (2024 est.) male: 78.1 years female: 83.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.92 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 8.6% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment6 fields

Environmental issues: limited natural freshwater resources; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 15.608 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 15.458 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 150,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,000 tons (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government22 fields

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar etymology: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic jabal tariq, which means "Mountain of Tariq" and refers to the Berber chief who captured the peninsula in A.D. 711; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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 etymology: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic jabal tariq, which means "Mountain of Tariq" and refers to the Berber chief who captured the peninsula in A.D. 711; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: the laws of the UK apply; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006, entered into effect 14 December 2006, entered into force 2 January 2007 amendment process: proposed by Parliament and requires prior consent of the British monarch (through the Secretary of State); passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote in Parliament followed by simple majority vote in a referendum; note – only sections 1 through 15 in Chapter 1 (Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) can be amended by Parliament; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: see United Kingdom; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; and British citizens with six months residence or more; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sir David STEEL (since 11 June 2020) head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of Parliament by the governor, in consultation with the chief minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as chief minister; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 18 (17 directly elected, 1 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/12/2023 parties elected and seats per party: GSLP-Liberal Alliance (9) (GSLP 7, LPG 2); GSD (8) percentage of women in chamber: 38.5% expected date of next election: October 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of at least 3 judges, including the court president); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 7-member body of judges and appointees of the governor; tenure of the Court of Appeal president based on terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice and judges normally appointed until retirement at age 67, but tenure can be extended 3 years subordinate courts: Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized tribunals for issues relating to social security, taxes, and employment note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Gibraltar Liberal Party or Liberal Party of Gibraltar or LPG Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP GSLP-Liberal Alliance Together Gibraltar or TG; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: National Day, 10 September (1967) note: day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; a gold key hangs from the castle gate and is centered in the red band meaning: the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, and the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance -- the key to the Mediterranean history: the design comes from Gibraltar's coat of arms, which King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted on 10 July 1502; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): Barbary partridge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, white, yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted this coat of arms to Gibraltar in 1502; the castle in the center of the shield represents Gibraltar as a fortress, and the gold key represents its strategic position as the gateway to the Mediterranean; below the shield is the national motto, Montis Insignia Calpe (“Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar”); the coat of arms uses the national colors of red, white, and yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Gibraltar Anthem" lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY history: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as an overseas UK territory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy9 fields

Economic overview: British territorial high-income economy; Brexit caused significant economic disruption to longstanding financial services, shipping, and tourism industries; ongoing negotiations to rejoin EU Schengen Area; independent taxation authority; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.044 billion (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: none; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Netherlands 38%, France 26%, Cyprus 7%, Poland 7%, Sweden 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, ships, cars, scrap iron (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Italy 26%, Greece 12%, Spain 10%, Netherlands 9%, India 9% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal tar oil, natural gas, ships (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.782 (2024 est.) 0.805 (2023 est.) 0.811 (2022 est.) 0.727 (2021 est.) 0.78 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 50,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 213.744 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.256 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 91,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: consumption: 77.196 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 77.196 million cubic meters (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 17,200 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 36,700 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio services via 1 TV station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .gi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 94% (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 23,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 61 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation4 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VP-G; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 1 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 129 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 5, general cargo 31, oil tanker 16, other 69; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Europa Point; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: Royal Gibraltar Regiment (UK) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.