Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by Spain and the Mediterranean Sea at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is known for the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426-meter limestone promontory that dominates the landscape and contains caves, fortifications, and nature reserves.

Covering about 6.8 square kilometers, Gibraltar has a dense urban core around the port and the town of Gibraltar. The population is roughly 34,000. English is the official language, while Spanish and the local vernacular Llanito are commonly spoken. The territory has a tropical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory with its own locally elected government. External affairs and defense are the responsibility of the United Kingdom, while internal administration is managed by a Chief Minister and a multi-party Legislative Assembly, now called the Parliament, composed of elected members. The Governor represents the British Crown.

The economy relies on services, tourism, shipping, and online gambling. The currency is the Gibraltar pound, pegged to the British pound, and British currency circulates widely. Cross-border trade with Spain plays a significant role, though border controls and political issues have periodically affected economic activity. Transport includes a busy port and the Gibraltar International Airport, which shares space with a road crossing the runway.

Historically, Britain has administered Gibraltar since 1704, with its sovereignty established in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. Referendums in 1967 favored British sovereignty, while a 2002 proposal for joint sovereignty with Spain was rejected. The border with Spain was effectively closed from 1969 to the early 1980s, and post-Brexit arrangements continue to shape Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU and Spain.