Gibraltar: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Gibraltar |
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Background:
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Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. |
| Geography | Gibraltar |
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Location:
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Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain |
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Geographic coordinates:
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36 8 N, 5 21 W |
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Map references:
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Europe |
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Area:
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total: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 6.5 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km |
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Coastline:
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12 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 3 NM |
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Climate:
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Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers |
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Terrain:
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a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m |
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Natural resources:
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none |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea |