Gibraltar
- Alternate uses: see Gibraltar (disambiguation)
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| National motto: Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti (Latin: Conquered By No Enemy) | |||||
| Official language | English | ||||
| Capital | (Gibraltar) | ||||
| Coordinates | 36° 07' N, 5° 21' W | ||||
| Governor and Commander-in-Chief | Sir Francis Richards | ||||
| Chief Minister | Peter Caruana | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked n/a (192 if) 6.5 km² - | ||||
| Population
- Total (2003 E) - Density | Ranked n/a (190 if)
27,776 4270/km² | ||||
| Currency | Gibraltar pound (GIP=GBP) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +1 (DST +2) | ||||
| National anthem | Gibraltar Anthem | ||||
| Internet TLD | .GI | ||||
| Calling Code | 350 | ||||
The territory covers 6.5 square kilometers. It shares1.2 kilometer land borderSpainhas 12 kilometersshoreline. Its climateMediterraneanmild winterswarm summers. Its terrain isnarrow coastal lowland bordering426-meter-high RockGibraltar. It has negligible natural resourceslimited natural freshwater resources, until recently using large concrete or natural rock water catchmentscollect rain water, althoughnow hasdesalination plant.
The name Gibraltar comes fromArabic Jabal al Tariq, which means "Tariq's mountain". Earlierwas Calpe, one ofColumnsHercules. Today, Gibraltarknown colloquially as 'Gib' or 'the Rock'.
An Anglo-Dutch force led by Sir George Rooke seizedRock1704. The territory was cededGreat Britain by Spain in1713 TreatyUtrecht as part ofsettlement ofWar ofSpanish Succession. In that treaty, Spain ceded Great Britain "the fullentire propriety oftowncastleGibraltar, together withport, fortifications,forts thereunto belonging ...ever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever."
Nonetheless,treaty stipulates that no overland trade between GibraltarSpain istake place, exceptemergency provisions incase that Gibraltarunablebe resupplied by sea. Another condition ofcessionthat "no leave shall be given under any pretence whatsoever, eitherJews or Moors,reside or have their dwellings insaid townGibraltar." If Britain decidessell Gibraltar, Spainguaranteed first purchasing rights.
In1967 referendum, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressurevoted overwhelminglyremainBritish dependency. This was emphasisedNovember 2002 when over 98% ofvoters rejected proposalsshare sovereignty betweenUKSpain.
As such, its military forces areBritish Army, Royal NavyRoyal Air Force; defense isresponsibility ofUnited Kingdom.
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2 Economy 3 External links |
Spanish claimsovereignty
As2003, Spain continues its policyharassing Gibraltar both politicallyeconomicallyorderpressureGibraltarians into accepting Spanish sovereignty. Spain describespeopleGibraltar as'present inhabitants' or 'transients', ongrounds thatoriginal Spanish inhabitants were expelled attime whenBritish seized Gibraltar. Thisin spite offact that many can trace their families back hundredsyears.
Spain haspolicynon-recognition ofGovernmentGibraltar as'competent authority', therefore refusingrecognize Gibraltar's courts, policegovernment departments, driving licensesidentity cards. It bans ferryair services between GibraltarSpain,motorists crossingfrontiersubjectedlong delayssearches. Madrid refusesrecognize Gibraltar's international dialling code, 350 thereby restrictingexpansionGibraltar's telephone numbering plan, as well as not allowing roamingGibraltar mobile phonesSpain.
It also triesprevent Gibraltar from participatinginternational sportingcultural events aswantscreateimpression that Gibraltar is'pure colony'no separate identity fromUK.
| SeriesimagesGibraltar |
Economy
Sincereduction ofBritish garrison,economy has been turnedoffshore bankingTourism. Theremore companies registeredGibraltar than inhabitants. The Spanish government as partits campaignreclaimRock claims that Gibraltar banksusedtax evasionmoney laundering. An inquiry byHouseCommons Foreign Affairs Committee found this claimbe baseless. The Spanish government has also accused Gibraltarian motorboatshelpingtobacco smuggling. However,prevent this happening there islaw against fast launchesitillegalbring them into Gibraltar waters. Gibraltarians enjoystandardlife higher than their Spanish neighboursCampo de Gibraltarmuch higher than their Moroccan neighbours. Sincereopening offrontier1985, many Gibraltarians have bought properties acrossborder, particularlyneighbouring townLa Línea de la Concepción, where property pricesmuch lower, although land reclamation1991 has lessenedtraditionally chronic housing shortage onRock. Other, more affluent Gibraltarians liveSotogrande onCosta del Sol, from wherecommute into Gibraltar. The Gibraltar watersalso used by ships transferring crude oilbunkeroil carriers. The oil often comes fromSpanish CEPSA refinery at Algeciras but priceslowerGibraltar becausetaxes. The Spanish falsely claimed Gibraltar wasdestination ofPrestige which caused an environmental disaster.
A recent issuecontention has beenrepair ofnuclear submarine, HMS Tireless. Despite many protestsGibraltar Government allowed the workbe done after employing its own expertsconfirmwas safe. The submarine wasGibraltar foryear before leaving afterrepair was successfully completed without incident.
Gibraltaralsoonly homesemi-wild monkeysEurope. Taxonomically theybarbary macaques.
- HistoryGibraltar
- DemographicsGibraltar
- CultureGibraltar
- PoliticsGibraltar
- EconomyGibraltar
- CommunicationsGibraltar
- TransportationGibraltar
External links
- GovernmentGibraltar including tourist office
- Official GovernmentGibraltar London website
- National Symbols
- CIA Factbook [1]
