# Gibraltar

> British overseas territory on the Iberian peninsula

**Wikidata**: [Q1410](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1410)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gibraltar

## Summary

Gibraltar is a place in the United Kingdom[1]. It was established on January 1, 1704. The local currency is the Gibraltar pound. As of 2020, Gibraltar has a population of 34k[2] and operates on Central European Time.

## Summary
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory situated on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain. Ceded to Great Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht, it serves as a strategic port city and military stronghold at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. With an area of 6.8 square kilometers and a population of approximately 34,000, it is a self-governing entity under the British monarchy with its own parliament and distinct local culture.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Iberian Peninsula, Europe. Coordinates: 36.14°N, 5.35°W.
- **Sovereignty**: British Overseas Territory. Ceded by Spain in 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht).
- **Capital**: Gibraltar.
- **Head of State**: Charles III (Monarch of the United Kingdom).
- **Head of Government**: Fabian Picardo (Chief Minister, since Dec 9, 2011).
- **Legislature**: Parliament of Gibraltar.
- **Area**: 6.843 km².
- **Population**: 34,003 (2020 estimate); 33,140 (2014).
- **Official Language**: English.
- **Currency**: Gibraltar pound (GIP, since 1898).
- **Time Zone**: Central European Time.
- **Demonym**: Gibraltarian, Llanito.
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Calling Code**: +350.
- **Internet TLD**: .gi.
- **ISO Codes**: GI, GIB, 292.
- **Inception**: 1704.
- **Age of Majority**: 18 years.
- **Marriageable Age**: 18 years.
- **HDI**: 0.961 (2018).

## FAQs
**What is the political status of Gibraltar?**
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the Iberian Peninsula. While it is under British sovereignty, ceded in 1713, it is claimed by Spain and remains a disputed territory. It is self-governing with its own parliament and was granted city status in the United Kingdom in 1842.

**Who governs Gibraltar?**
The British monarch, currently King Charles III, is the head of state, represented by a Governor. The head of government is the Chief Minister; Fabian Picardo has held this position since 2011. The legislative body is the Parliament of Gibraltar.

**What is the geography of Gibraltar?**
Gibraltar is located on a narrow peninsula at the southern tip of Spain, sharing a border with La Línea de la Concepción. It is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar and lies next to the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Gibraltar. The total area is approximately 6.8 square kilometers.

**What is the population and culture of Gibraltar?**
Gibraltar has a population of roughly 34,000 people. The residents, known as Gibraltarians or Llanitos, primarily speak English (the official language) and Spanish. The territory has a high human development index and uses the Gibraltar pound as currency.

**What is the history of Gibraltar's sovereignty?**
Gibraltar was part of the Spanish Empire from 1492 until 1704, when it was captured by Anglo-Dutch forces. It was formally ceded to Great Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht. Historically, it was part of the Kingdom of Seville and has been besieged fourteen times throughout history.

## Why It Matters
Gibraltar holds immense geopolitical significance due to its strategic location at the Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This position has made it a vital naval base and "port city" for centuries, influencing global maritime trade and military strategy. Its unique status as a British territory on the European mainland creates ongoing diplomatic dialogue between the UK, Spain, and the EU regarding borders and sovereignty. Economically, it serves as a financial hub and "tourist destination" with a distinct cultural identity that bridges British and Mediterranean influences.

## Notable For
- **Strategic Location**: Controls the Strait of Gibraltar, the only sea link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
- **Disputed Sovereignty**: A major point of contention in UK-Spain relations; sovereignty was ceded in 1713 but remains contested.
- **The Rock of Gibraltar**: A monolithic limestone promontory and major tourist destination.
- **History of Conflict**: Site of fourteen recorded sieges, including the Great Siege.
- **High Development**: Features a Human Development Index of 0.961 (2018), categorizing it as very high.
- **Unique Demonym**: Locals are often referred to as "Llanitos" (or Llanito), reflecting a unique cultural blend.

## Body

### Governance and Politics
Gibraltar operates as a British Overseas Territory with a parliamentary system. The Head of State is the Monarch of the United Kingdom, currently King Charles III (succeeded Queen Elizabeth II in 2022). The Head of Government is the Chief Minister, a position held by Fabian Picardo since December 9, 2011; he succeeded Peter Caruana. The legislative body is the Parliament of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a member of Interpol (represented via the United Kingdom).

### Geography and Environment
Located in Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar has a total area of 6.843 square kilometers and an elevation of 11 meters (at base level). It is situated at coordinates 36.14°N, 5.35°W. It shares a land border with Spain (specifically La Línea de la Concepción and the region of Andalusia) and is located near the Alboran Sea, the Bay of Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean Sea. The entity is named after Tariq ibn Ziyad.

### History
The modern entity of Gibraltar was founded in 1704, following its capture from the Spanish Empire. Its status was formalized in 1713 by the Treaty of Utrecht (Peace of Utrecht), which ceded the territory to Great Britain. Prior to Spanish rule (1492-1704), the area was part of the Kingdom of Seville. The territory has a turbulent military history, having undergone fourteen sieges, including the Great Siege, the Thirteenth Siege, and the Capture of Gibraltar. It was awarded city status in the United Kingdom by Queen Victoria in 1842.

### Demographics and Culture
As of 2020, the population was estimated at 34,003, up from 33,140 in 2014. Inhabitants are known as Gibraltarians, Llanitos, or by various linguistic variations such as Gibraltareño (masc) and Gibraltareña (fem). English is the official language, spoken as a first language by approximately 28,000 people and as a second language by 2,000; Spanish is also widely spoken. The territory has a very high Human Development Index (0.961 in 2018). The age of majority and marriageable age is 18.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar pound as its currency, a system in place since 1898. The mains voltage is 240 volts at 50 Hz, utilizing electrical plugs of types "Europlug" and "BS 1363". Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The emergency phone number is 112, and the telephone country code is +350. The postal code system includes codes like GX11 1AA. The territory's internet top-level domain is .gi, with the official government website at http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi.

### Symbols and Identity
The territory's symbols include the "Flag of Gibraltar" and the "Coat of arms of Gibraltar." Its motto is "Montis Insignia Calpe" (Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar). The national anthem is "God Save the King" (the British anthem), alongside the local "Gibraltar Anthem." The Unicode character representing Gibraltar is 🇬🇮. It is also represented by various international codes including ISO 3166-1 (GI, GIB), M49 code (292), and UN/LOCODE (GIGIB).

### International Relations and Claims
Gibraltar is listed as a "United Nations list of non-self-governing territories." It is claimed by Spain, though it remains under British sovereignty. The territory maintains twinning relationships with Funchal, Ballymena, Singapore, and Raleigh (since 2021). It is separate from the Strait of Gibraltar and is identified as a distinct entity from Spain by the Peace of Utrecht treaty.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gi.html)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgovterritories.shtml)
4. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62710553)
5. [Source](https://raltoday.6amcity.com/raleigh-nc-sister-cities)
6. BnF authorities
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. FIPS 10-4
11. MusicBrainz
12. [Source](https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/HMGoG_Documents/Abstract%202014.pdf)
13. [Source](https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/statistics/key-indicators)
14. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html)
15. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
16. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
17. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
18. English as a Global Language, second edition
19. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/gibilterra)
20. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
21. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
22. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Gibraltar;4197263.html)
23. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cebelitarik)
24. iNaturalist
25. KBpedia
26. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
27. museum-digital
28. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q35129)