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Location
Western entrance to the Mediterranean, southern tip of Europe.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
6.5 sq km (2.5 sq miles).
Population
27,928 (2006).
Population Density
4,343.23 per sq km.
Capital
Gibraltar.
Geography
Gibraltar is a large promontory of jurassic limestone, situated in the western entrance to the Mediterranean. The rock is 5km (3 miles) long and the highest point is 426m (1,400ft) above sea level. An internal self-governing British Crown Colony, Gibraltar has given its name to the Bay and the Straits, which it overlooks. Spain is to the north and west, and Morocco is 26km (16 miles) to the south.
Government
British Crown Colony since 1713.
Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Sir Francis Richards since 2003.
Head of Government
Chief Minister Peter Caruana QC since 1996, re-elected in 2003.
Recent History
Gibraltar is a British Crown Colony, where the British monarch is represented by a governor, currently Sir Francis Richards who assumed the post in 2003. The chief minister, currently Peter Caruana, presides over the Council of Ministers which administers domestic affairs. The ex-officio members are the attorney general and the financial and development secretary. Britain is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. Peter Caruana, the leader of the Gibraltar Social Democrats, won a third term in office in elections in November 2003. Mr Caruana strongly opposes the idea of shared sovereignty with Spain and oversaw a 2002 referendum that roundly rejected the concept.
Language
English is the official language. Most Gibraltarians are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Religion
Roman Catholic majority, also Church of England, Church of Scotland, Jewish, Hindu and other minorities.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are in use.
Social Conventions
Gibraltar is a strongly traditional society with an attractive blend of British and Mediterranean customs.