Gibraltar

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Territories

General information

Gibraltar is a rocky peninsula rising from the south coast of Iberia. It has a total area of 5.8 sq km and is just under five km long from north to south. It has a land border with Spain. The population (2010 figures) is 29,441, of whom 24,127 are Gibraltarians.

Most Gibraltarians claim British, Genoese or Maltese ancestry. English is the official language, but Spanish is widely spoken. About four-fifths of the population are Roman Catholic, along with significant Protestant, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities.

Governance

Sovereignty of Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. Spain has, nonetheless, repeatedly sought to regain sovereignty. However Spanish pressure, including the closure of the border from 1969 until the early 1980s, has largely served to strengthen Gibraltarians’ sense of identity.

The UK Government has reaffirmed that it will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their wishes, and that furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Gibraltar’s current constitution dates from 2006. Following negotiations between the UK and Gibraltar, it was approved in a referendum on 30 November 2006 by over 60% of those who voted, and came into force on 2 January 2007.

It modernised the UK-Gibraltar relationship, giving Gibraltar control over its internal affairs.

The Governor remains responsible for external affairs, defence, internal security and ensuring good government, including responsibility for some public appointments, while the Government of Gibraltar has responsibility for all areas not specifically assigned to the Governor, including economic and environmental management and provision of education, healthcare and other social and public services.

Gibraltar’s legislature, the Parliament, consists of 17 elected Members plus a Speaker. Elections take place every four years. The Territory consists of a single constituency and each elector may vote for up to ten candidates.

Economy

Since the late 1970s Gibraltar has diversified its economy, developed niche sectors which require little land but offer high added value, and adapted to reflect changing circumstances, including the re-opening of the border with Spain. Gibraltar has a thriving economy dominated by four main sectors.

The financial services sector accounts for about 22% of GDP (2010 figures); it is regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and conforms to EU standards. Retail/tourism makes up 25% of GDP – the Cruise Ship Terminal, which opened in 1997, received 303,371 visitor arrivals in 2010.

Shipping accounts for 20% of GDP. The online gaming sector has also become a pillar of the economy in Gibraltar, accounting for a similar percentage (and around 2000 jobs).

The former Royal Naval Dockyard is now privately owned and operated.