Gibraltar

Broadcast media

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio broadcasting 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 (2008)

Internet country code

.gi

Internet hosts

3,509 (2012) country comparison to the world: 151

Internet users

20,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 193

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

23,100 (2012) country comparison to the world: 184

Telephones - mobile cellular

34,750 (2012) country comparison to the world: 206

Agriculture - products

none

Budget

revenues: $475.8 million expenditures: $452.3 million (2008 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. 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), gaming revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the remaining 15%. 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.

Exchange rates

Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.63 (2012) 0.62 (2011) 0.65 (2010) 0.62 (2009) 0.53 (2008)

Exports

$271 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Exports - commodities

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.106 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.275 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 $1.203 billion (2007 est.) $1.106 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0% industry: 0% services: 100% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,000 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $41,200 (2007 est.) $38,400 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 46 8.8% (2007) 0% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$2.967 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Imports - commodities

fuels, manufactured goods, foodstuffs

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 81 2.6% (2006)

Labor force

12,690 (2001) (2001) country comparison to the world: 215

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 13.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

43% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Unemployment rate

3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.905 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 135

Electricity - consumption

154.7 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - installed generating capacity

43,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - production

166.4 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 142

Refined petroleum products - consumption

24,920 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Refined petroleum products - imports

28,380 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Area

total: 6.5 sq km country comparison to the world: 243 land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Climate

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Coastline

12 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

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

Geographic coordinates

36 08 N, 5 21 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Land use

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2011)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

none

Terrain

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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

Constitution

previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006, entered into effect 14 December 2006, entered into force 2 January 2007; amended 2009 (2009)

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir James DUTTON (since 6 December 2013) head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor

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; the design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July 1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean

Government type

NA

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of at least three judges, including the court president); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges) note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) 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 judge normally appointed until retirement at age 67, but can be extended 3 years subordinate courts: Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized tribunals for issues relating to social security, taxes, and employment

Legal system

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 8 December 2011 (next to be held not later than 8 December 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 48%, GSLP 46.8%, Progressive Democratic Party 4.4%, other 0.8%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 7

National anthem

name: "Gibraltar Anthem" lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain

National symbol(s)

Barbary macaque

Political parties and leaders

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA] Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Daniel FEETHAM] Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO] Progressive Democratic Party [Nick CRUZ]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chamber of Commerce Gibraltar Representatives Organization Women's Association

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more

Background

Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing 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 late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. Throughout 2009, 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. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 7,037 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 6,017 females age 16-49: 5,706 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 228 female: 220 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992

Military branches

Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.1% (male 3,013/female 2,845) 15-24 years: 16.4% (male 2,481/female 2,284) 25-54 years: 37.7% (male 5,493/female 5,493) 55-64 years: 11.2% (male 1,580/female 1,667) 65 years and over: 14.6% (male 2,081/female 2,174) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

14.19 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Death rate

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 7.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.98 years country comparison to the world: 47 male: 76.13 years female: 82.03 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA

Median age

total: 33.8 years male: 32.9 years female: 34.8 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar

Net migration rate

-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Population

29,111 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 219

Population growth rate

0.26% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Religions

Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.93 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy

Airports

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 217

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 267 country comparison to the world: 32 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 146, chemical tanker 64, container 28, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 8 foreign-owned: 254 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 2, Germany 123, Greece 8, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 34, Norway 46, Sweden 11, UAE 5, UK 6) registered in other countries: 6 (Liberia 5, Panama 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Gibraltar

Roadways

total: 29 km country comparison to the world: 220 paved: 29 km (2007)