WikiPedia Information About Gibraltar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Export/Gibraltar
/_TheTownGuide/Index_Layout_Leaders_wiki_Process.xsl
{{About
the British overseas territory}}
{{Infobox Country
native_name = Gibraltar
common_name = Gibraltar
image_flag = Flag of Gibraltar.svg
image_coat = Coat of arms of Gibraltar1.svg
other_symbol_type = Coat of arms of the Government of Gibraltar
Government and Mayor of Gibraltar
other_symbol = File:COA Government of Gibraltar.svg
100px
Coat of arms of the Government and Mayor of Gibraltar
image_other =
image_map = Location Gibraltar EU.png
national_motto = ''Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti''{{spaces
2}}(Latin)
"Conquered by no enemy."{{smallsup
1}}
national_anthem = ''Gibraltar Anthem''
royal_anthem = ''God Save the Queen''
official_languages = English language
English
languages_type = Languages of Gibraltar
Unofficial languages
Vernacular
languages = Spanish language
Spanish
Llanito
capital = Gibraltar
latd=36
latm=8
latNS=N
longd=5
longm=21
longEW=W
largest_settlement_type = Most populated ''district''
largest_settlement =
Westside (Gibraltar)
Westside
ethnic_groups = Gibraltarian people
Gibraltarian (of mixed Genoa
Genoese, Maltese people
Maltese, Portuguese people
Portuguese and Andalusian people
Andalusian descent), other British people
British, Moroccan people
Moroccan and Demographics of India
Indian
demonym = Gibraltarian people
Gibraltarian
government_type = British Overseas Territory
leader_title1 = Head of state
leader_title2 = Governor of Gibraltar
Governor
leader_title3 = Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Chief Minister
leader_name1 = HM Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II
leader_name2 = {{nowrap
Sir Adrian Johns}}
leader_name3 = Peter Caruana
accessionEUdate = 1 January 1973{{smallsup
2}}
area_rank = 229th
area_magnitude = 1 E6
area_km2 = 6ǔ
area_sq_mi = 2ǒ
percent_water = 0%
population_estimate = 29,286 (2008 estimate)[[http://www.gibraltar.gov& #46gi/images/stories/PDF/statistics/Abstract_of_Statistics_2008.pdf Abstract of Statistics 2008]]
population_estimate_rank = 209th
population_estimate_year = Jan 2008
population_census =
population_census_year =
population_density_km2 = 4,290
population_density_sq_mi = 11,154
population_density_rank = 3rd
GDP_PPP = $1066 million
GDP_PPP_rank = 197th
GDP_PPP_year = 2005
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $38,200
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = n/a
sovereignty_type = Event
sovereignty_note = Date
established_event1 = History of Gibraltar#The Gibraltar capture
Captured
established_event2 = History of Gibraltar#Treaty of Utrecht
Ceded
established_event3 = Gibraltar National Day
National Day
established_event4 = Constitution Day
established_date1 = 4 August 1704[Gibraltar was captured on 24 July 1704, Old Style, and 4 August 1704, New Style]
established_date2 = 11 April 1713[The treaty was signed on 31 March 1713, Old Style, and 11 April 1713, New Style - :s:Peace and Friendship Treaty of Utrecht between France and Great Britain]
Peace and Friendship Treaty of Utrecht between France and Great Britain (Treaty of Utrecht)
established_date3 = 10 September
established_date4 = 29 January
HDI = n/a
HDI_rank = n/a
HDI_year = n/a
HDI_category = n/a
currency = Gibraltar pound Pound sign
£{{smallsup
3}}
currency_code = GIP
country_code = List of Internet TLDs
.gi, ISO 3166-1 alpha-2
GI, ISO 3166-1 alpha-3
GIB, ISO 3166-1 numeric
292, List of FIFA country codes
GBZ
time_zone = Central European Time
CET
utc_offset = +1
time_zone_DST = Central European Summer Time
CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
date_format = dd/mm/yyyy
drives_on = right{{smallsup
4}}
cctld = .gi{{smallsup
5}}
calling_code = +350
350{{smallsup
6}}
patron_saint = Bernard of Clairvaux & Blessed Virgin Mary
Our Lady of Europe
footnote1 = [http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/national-symbols]
footnote2 = As a Special Member State territories and the European Union
Special Member State territory of the United Kingdom.
footnote3 = Coins and sterling notes are issued by the Government of Gibraltar.
footnote4 = Unlike all other UK dependencies but the British Indian Ocean Territory
BIOT.
footnote5 = The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union members.
footnote6 = Before 10 February 2007, 9567 from Spain.
}}
'''Gibraltar''' ({{pron-en
d??'br??lt?r}}) is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe at the entrance of the Mediterranean overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
The territory covers {{convert
6뛻
km2
sqmi}} and shares a land border with Spain to the north.
Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base.
According to the ''Jane's Information Group
Jane's Country Risk Ratings 2008'', which measures the stability of 235 countries, territories and political entities in the world, Gibraltar is the 5th most stable territory worldwide, and the highest ranked British territory.
The ratings are based on five fundamental categories: political, social, economic, external and military and security.[ [http://www.ihs.com/NR/rdonlyres/8E00D44C-A 70B-466A-A524-0CFE19FA4D0E/0/032508JANESNRCountryRiskRatingFINAL.pdf New Online Service Ranks the World’s Most Unstable Entities], IHS Media Desk, March 25, 2008.] Gibraltar has almost complete internal self-government, the Governor retaining responsibilities for external affairs, defence, internal security and the public service.[[http:// www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/147/147i.pdf] UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee 2007-2008 Report, pg 16]
The sovereignty of Gibraltar has been a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations.
Gibraltar was ceded by Spain to the Crown of Great Britain in perpetuity, under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, though Spain Disputed status of Gibraltar
asserts a claim to the territory and seeks its return.[[http://w ww.maec.es/es/MenuPpal/Actualidad/Publicaci ones%20de%20la%20D.G.C.E/Publicaciones%2 0no%20periodicas/Documents/Informe_Gibraltar20080227.pdf Informe sobre la cuestión de Gibraltar], Spanish Foreign Ministry {{es icon}}] In Gibraltar sovereignty referendum, 2002
a referendum held in 2002, Gibraltarian people
Gibraltarians rejected by an overwhelming majority (99%) a proposal of shared sovereignty on which Spain and Britain were said to have reached "broad agreement".[{{cite web]
url=http://news.bb c.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stm
title=Regions and territories: Gibraltar
accessdate=2007-12-20
date=2007-07-18
publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation}}[{{cite web]
url=http://www.gua rdian.co.uk/gibraltar/story/0,,634007,00.html
title=Gibraltar
author=Mark Oliver
accessdate=2007-12-20
coauthors=Sally Bolton, Jon Dennis, Matthew Tempest
date=4 August 2004
publisher=Guardian Unlimited}} The British government has committed itself to respecting the Gibraltarians' wishes.[[http:/ /www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/c147-v/c14702.htm Corrected transcript of evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee]; 2008-03-28; Answer to Question 257 by Jim Murphy: ''[T]he UK Government will never – "never" is a seldom-used word in politics – enter into an agreement on sovereignty without the agreement of the Government of Gibraltar and their people.]
In fact, we will never even enter into a process without that agreement.''
Etymology
The name '''''Gibraltar''''' is the Spanish language
Spanish derivation of the Arabic language
Arabic name ''Jabal Tariq'' (??? ????), meaning "mountain of Tariq".[
{{cite web]
url= http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/port/port_index.htm
title=History of Gibraltar
accessdate=2007-12-20
last=
first=
coauthors=
date=
work=
publisher=Government of Gibraltar}} It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, which in turn was named after the Berber people
Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad who led the initial incursion Umayyad conquest of Hispania
into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711 under the command of Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I.
Earlier, it was known as '''Mons Calpe''', one of the Pillars of Hercules.
Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as '''Gib''' or '''The Rock'''.
History
File:Kärtchen des vorgebirges von gibraltar.jpg
thumb
left
German historical map of the promontory of Gibraltar.
{{Main
History of Gibraltar}}
There is evidence of human habitation in Gibraltar in Gorham's Cave between 128,000 and 24,000 BCE, by Neanderthal man, an extinct species of the genus Homo (genus)
Homo.
Gibraltar was the last known holdout of Neanderthal man.
Evidence at the cave shows the Neanderthals likely used it as a shelter for 100,000 years, sustained by the diversity of wildlife and plants in the surrounding areas.
Cro-Magnon man took over Gibraltar around 24,000 BCE.[{{cite web]
url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14817677/
title=Gibraltar
accessdate=2010-01-08
last=Choi
first=Charles
year=2006
publisher=MSNBC.COM}}
Within recorded history, the first inhabitants were the Phoenicians, around 950 BCE.
Subsequently, Gibraltar became known as one of the Pillars of Hercules, after the Greek legend of the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Carthage
Carthaginians and Ancient Rome
Romans also established semi-permanent settlements.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals.
The area later formed part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania until the Kingdom's collapse from the Islamic conquest of Iberia
Muslim conquest in 711 CE.
The Moorish period
On 30 April 711, the Umayyad general Tariq ibn Ziyad led a Berber-dominated army across the Strait from Ceuta.
He first attempted to land at Algeciras but failed.
Subsequently, he landed undetected at the southern point of the Rock from present-day Morocco.
However, the first four centuries of Moorish control brought little development.
The Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min built the first permanent settlement in the 1150s.
He ordered the construction of a fortification on the Rock, the remains of which are still present in the form of the Moorish Castle.
Gibraltar would later become part of the Kingdom of Granada until 1309, when Castillian troops briefly occupied it.
In 1333, the Marinids, who had invaded Muslim Spain, conquered it, but ceded Gibraltar to the Kingdom of Granada in 1374.
Finally, the Duke of Medina Sidonia Reconquista
reconquered it in 1462, finally ending 750 years of Moorish control.
The Spanish period
File:Battle of Gibraltar 1607.jpg
thumb
left
The Battle of Gibraltar, 25 April 1607.
Although the Dukes of Medina Sidonia#3rd Duke of Medina Sidonia
Duke of Medina Sidonia had been left in sole possession of Gibraltar, the town was claimed by the king Henry IV of Castile
Henry IV, who added it to the Crown patrimony while adding Kingdom of Gibraltar
King of Gibraltar to his many titles.
In 1462, the king :s:Letters Patent of Privileges granting Algeciras and its term to the City of Gibraltar
added the territory of the ruined town of Algeciras to Gibraltar, thus creating his extensive municipal term, a hinterland to be known as the Campo de Gibraltar
Campo Llano de Gibraltar.[{{cite book ]
title=Gibraltar.
A History
author=Maurice Harvey
publisher=Spellmount Limited
year=1996
isbn=1-86227-103-8
pages=50–51}}
However, during the quarrels that took place during the reign of Henry IV, the town and municipality of Gibraltar were restored to the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1468.
In 1474, Medina Sidonia sold Gibraltar to a population of Jewish ''conversos'' from Córdoba (Spain)
Córdoba and Seville, led by Pedro de Herrera in exchange for maintaining the garrison of the town for two years.
A group of 4,350 Jews established themselves in the town.
However, this lasted only two years.[{{cite book ]
title=Gibraltar.
A History
author=Maurice Harvey
publisher=Spellmount Limited
year=1996
isbn=1-86227-103-8
pages=51–52}} In 1476, the Duke of Medina Sidonia expelled the ''Conversos'' to Córdoba and the Inquisition.
In 1501 Gibraltar passed again under the hands of the Spanish Crown, which had been established in 1479.
In 1501, in Toledo, Spain
Toledo, Isabella of Castile issued a Royal Warrant granting Gibraltar the Coat of arms of Gibraltar
coat of arms that it still uses today.
The naval Battle of Gibraltar took place on 25 April 1607 during the Eighty Years' War when a Dutch fleet surprised and engaged a Spanish fleet anchored at the Bay of Gibraltar.
During the four-hour action, the entire Spanish fleet was destroyed.
The British period
During the War of the Spanish Succession, English [[http://www 6royalnavy.mod.uk/royalmarines/history-and-ethos/history-of-the-royal-marines the British attacked the Rock of Gibraltar]] and Dutch troops, allies of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Archduke Charles, the Austrian pretender to the Spanish Crown, formed a joint fleet and attacked various towns on the southern coast of Spain.
On 4 August 1704, after six hours of bombardment starting at 5:00 am, the fleet, under the command of Admiral Sir George Rooke, assisted by Field Marshal Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt, comprising some 1800 Dutch marines and the English Royal Marines, captured the town of Gibraltar and claimed it in the name of the Archduke Charles.
The s:Terms of surrender of the Spanish authorities of Gibraltar in 1704
terms of surrender provided certain assurances but commanders lost control, drunken sailors and marines engaged in rape and looted
pillaged the town, desecrating most Catholic churches, whilst townspeople carried out reprisal killings[Andrews, Allen, [ht tp://www.archive.org/stream/proudfortressthe011406mbp#page/n37/mode/2up ''Proud Fortress The Fighting Story Of Gibraltar''], p32-33:][William Jackson (British Army officer)]
Jackson, Sir William, ''Rock of the Gibraltarians'', p100-101[Andrews, Allen, [http://www.archive.org/stream/proudfortressthe011406mbp#page/n37/mode/2up ''Proud Fortress The Fighting Story Of Gibraltar''], p32-33][William Jackson (British Army officer)]
Jackson, Sir William, ''Rock of the Gibraltarians'', p100-101:[''Rock of Contention.]
A History of Gibraltar''.
George Hills (1974).
London: Robert Hale.
pp.
173-174.
ISBN 0-7091-4352-4.
By 7 August 1704, after order was restored, almost all the population felt that staying in Gibraltar was too dangerous and left without further violence for nearby areas of Spain.
Franco-Spanish troops failed to retake the town.
The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the war, awarded Britain sovereignty over Gibraltar.
In this treaty, Spain ceded Gibraltar (:s:Peace and Friendship Treaty of Utrecht between Spain and Great Britain#ARTICLE X
Article X) and Minorca (:s:Peace and Friendship Treaty of Utrecht between Spain and Great Britain#ARTICLE XI
Article XI) to the United Kingdom in perpetuity.
Great Britain has retained sovereignty over Gibraltar (though not Minorca) ever since, despite attempts by Spain to recapture it.
Due to military incursions by Spain various fortifications were established and occupied by British troops in the area which came to be known as "''the British Neutral Ground''".
This was the area to the north of the city wall, militarily conquered and continuously occupied by the British except during time of war.
(The sovereignty of this area, which today contains the Gibraltar Airport
airport, cemetery, a number of housing estates and the Victoria Stadium (Gibraltar)
sports centre, is separately Disputed status of the isthmus between Gibraltar and Spain
disputed by Spain.)
File:The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar.jpg
thumb
right
Great Siege of Gibraltar, 13 September 1782.
During the American Revolution, the Spanish, who had entered the conflict against the British, imposed a stringent blockade against Gibraltar as part of an unsuccessful siege (the Great Siege of Gibraltar) that lasted for more than three years, from 1779 to 1783.
On 14 September 1782, the British destroyed the floating batteries of the French and Spanish besiegers.
The signing of peace preliminaries in February 1783 ended the siege.["Gibraltar." Microsoft Encarta 2006 [DVD].]
Microsoft Corporation, 2005.
Gibraltar subsequently became a key base for the Royal Navy, first playing an important part prior to the Battle of Trafalgar.
Its strategic value increased with the opening of the Suez Canal as it controlled the sea route between the UK and its colonies and Dominions east of Suez, such as British Raj
India and Australia.
After Britain recognised the Franco regime in 1938,{{Citation needed
date=December 2009}} Gibraltar had two Spanish Consulates, a Republican one and a Nationalistic one.
During the Spanish Civil War there were several incidents that touched Gibraltar.
In May 1937, HMS Arethusa (26)
HMS ''Arethusa'' had to tow HMS Hunter (H35)
HMS ''Hunter'' into port after ''Hunter'' hit a mine off Almeria that killed and wounded several British sailors.
In June 1937, the German pocket battleship Deutschland
German pocket battleship ''Deutschland'' arrived in Gibraltar with dead and wounded after Republican planes bombed it in Ibiza in retaliation for the Condor Legion's bombing of Guernica.
In August 1938, the Republican destroyer Spanish destroyer José Luis Díez
''Jose Luis Diez'' took refuge in Gibraltar after taking casualties from the guns of the National cruiser ''Canarias''.
The one incident that resulted in the death of Gibraltarians occurred in January 1938 when a submarine of unknown origin, though probably Italian, sank the ''SS Endymion'', a small freighter taking a cargo of coal to Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena, which was in Republican hands.[{{cite book ]
author=Paco Galliano
year=2003
title=History of Galliano's Bank (1855 - 1987): The Smallest Bank in the World
location=Gibraltar
publisher=Gibraltar Books
pages=57–9}}
File:Memorial of General Wladyslaw in Gibraltar.jpg
thumb
right
thumb
Wladyslaw Sikorski's memorial in Gibraltar.
He led Poland’s government in exile during World War II, died on 4 July 1943, when the British bomber he was in crashed into the sea after taking off from Gibraltar.[[http://www.nytimes.com/20 08/11/11/world/europe/11poland.html?_r=1&oref=slogin General's body to be exhumed]]
{{See also
Military history of Gibraltar during World War II
Operation Felix}}
During World War II, the British evacuated Gibraltar's women and children and turned the Rock into a fortress.
They also converted the civilian racecourse into an Gibraltar Airport
airfield.
Spain's reluctance to allow the Wehrmacht
German Army onto Spanish soil frustrated a German plan to capture the Rock, codenamed Operation Felix, later named Llona.
Germany's Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr, secretly opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, and filed a pointedly negative assessment of the options.
Hitler sent Canaris to negotiate with Franco, but, according to some sources, Canaris privately told Franco it would be foolish for him to join or cooperate with the Axis.[Anthony Cave Brown, Bodyguard of Lies, Harper& Row, 1975, p.]
239 Franco subsequently made exorbitant demands for his cooperation, and erected concrete barriers on roads leading to the Pyrenees.[{{cite book]
title=The Unseen War in Europe: Espionage and Conspiracy in the Second World War
last=Waller
first=John H.
page=264}}
=Recent history
=
In the 1950s, Spain, under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco
Franco, renewed its claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar, sparked in part by the visit of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Rock's capture.
For the next thirty years, Spain restricted movement between Gibraltar and Spain, in application of one of the articles of the Treaty.
Gibraltar sovereignty referendum, 1967
Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum was held on 10 September 1967, in which Gibraltar's voters were asked whether they wished either to pass under Spanish sovereignty (when Spain was under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco
Franco), or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-governance
self-government.
The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of continuance of British sovereignty, with 12,138 to 44 voting to reject Spanish sovereignty.
This led to the passing of the Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
Gibraltar Constitution Order, granting autonomy in May 1969, which the Government of Spain strongly opposed.
In response, in June Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links.[{{cite web]
url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Gibraltar.html
title=Gibraltar
accessdate=2007-12-20
last=Cahoon
first=Ben
year=2000
publisher=WorldStatesmen}}
File:Rock of Gibraltar from the Spanish side of the frontier.jpg
right
thumb
View of the frontier from the Spanish side.
In 1981 it was announced that the honeymoon for the royal wedding between Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana Spencer would start from Gibraltar.
The Spanish Government responded that Juan Carlos I of Spain
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain
Queen Sofia had declined their invitation to the ceremony as an act of protest.[{{cite web]
url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/int ernational/countriesandterritories/gibraltar/index.html?s=oldest&
title=Gibraltar
accessdate=2007-12-20
publisher=The New York Times}}
The border with Spain was partially reopened in 1982, and fully reopened in 1985 prior to Spain's accession into the European Community.
Joint talks on the future of The Rock held between Spain and the United Kingdom have occurred since the late 1980s under the :s:Brussels Agreement
Brussels Agreement.
In July 2002 proposals for joint sovereignty with Spain were revealed by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
A Gibraltar sovereignty referendum, 2002
second sovereignty referendum was organised in Gibraltar in November 2002, which rejected any idea of joint sovereignty by 17,900 (98%) votes to 187 (1ᇻ%).
The British Government restated that, in accordance with the preamble of the Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
Constitution of Gibraltar that "the UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes."[ http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office .co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081009/debtext/81009-0021.htm]
"La Cuestión de Gibraltar" ({{lang-es
"The Question of Gibraltar"}}), as it is termed by Spain, continues to affect Spain–United Kingdom relations.
September 2006 saw representatives of the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Spain conclude talks in Córdoba, Spain
Córdoba, Spain, with a landmark agreement on a range of issues affecting the Rock and the ''Campo de Gibraltar'' removing some of the restrictions imposed by Spain.[{{cite web ]
url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/pensions/Ministerial_Statement.pdf
title = Communiqué of the ministerial meeting of the forum of dialogue on Gibraltar
accessdate = 2008-10-17
date=18 September 2006
publisher=Government of Gibraltar}} This agreement resolved a number of longstanding problems; improved flow of traffic at the frontier, use of the airport,[[http://www& #46publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/c147-v/c14702.htm Transcript of evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee]]
In December 2008, Gibraltar won its EU case on regional selectivity providing for a new tax system.[[http://curia.europa& #46eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=T-211/04 European Court Judgement]] A public holiday in January 2009 was announced to celebrate this milestone.[[http://ww w.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2008/311-2008.pdf Chief Minister's statement]]
In 2009 there were a number of Spanish incursions into waters around Gibraltar, claimed as territorial waters by both the United Kingdom and Spain, leading to intervention by the Gibraltar Police and a diplomatic protest by the UK,[ [http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=16173 Britain tells Spain violation unac ceptable]][[http://www.express.co& #46uk/posts/view/102828/Return-of-the-Armada-as-Spain-invades-Gibraltar Return of the Armada]] plus an incursion into the port area[{{cite web]
url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ne ws/worldnews/europe/spain/6761318/Spain-apologies -after-incursion-into-Gibraltar-waters.html
title=Spain apologies after incursion into Gibraltar waters
last1=Govan
first1=Fiona
date=08 Dec 2009
publisher=The Daily Telegraph
accessdate=March 10, 2010
quote=Gibraltarian police detained the Spaniards and two suspected smugglers, who grounded their dinghy on rocks near a supermarket inside the port.}} which is not disputed.[{{cite web]
u rl=http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/ibru/publications/full/bsb7-1_oreilly.pdf
title=Gibraltar: Sovereignty Disputes and Territorial Water
last1=Gerry
first1=O’Reilly
year=1999
publisher=IBRU Boundary and Security Bulletin Spring
accessdate=March 10, 2010
quote=Spain claims that Britain has no right to territorial waters, except for a small
portion in the Gibraltar port area in accordance with the Spanish interpretation of the
Treaty of Utrecht.}}
In July 2009 Miguel Ángel Moratinos, became the first serving Spanish foreign minister to visit Gibraltar for a meeting of the trilateral forum.[{{cite web]
url=http://www.tim esonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6722187.ece
title=Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister, met by protests on visit to Gibraltar
last1=Graham
first1=Keeley
date=July 21, 2009
publisher=The Times
accessdate=March 10, 2010}}
Politics
{{Main
Politics of Gibraltar}}
File:Gibraltar House of Assembly 01.jpg
thumb
left
Parliament of Gibraltar
File:Peter Caruana 07.jpg
thumb
100px
Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana QC
File:Adrian johns1.jpg
thumb
100px
Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Adrian Johns
The head of state is Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor of Gibraltar.
Under its Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
2006 Constitution Gibraltar is internally self-government
self-governing with an elected parliament.[[http://www.gibraltar. gov.gi/topical-speeches/162-chief-ministers-un-speech] Chief Minister's UN Speech "Mr Chairman, nobody who visits Gibraltar and observes its society and self government can objectively think that Gibraltar, in reality, remains a colony." Speech to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation 8 October 2009][[http://www. telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain /1386334/Gibraltar-makes-plans-for-self-government.html] David Blair, Gibraltar makes plans for self-government, Daily Telegraph, 28 February 2002 "GIBRALTAR'S parliament approved an ambitious package of constitutional reform yesterday designed to give the colony almost complete self-government."][{{cite web]
title=Gibraltar
url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/233245/Gibraltar
publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica
accessdate=18 August 2009
quote=Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and is self-governing in all matters but defence.}} Defence, foreign policy and internal security are formally the responsibility of the Governor, the representative of HM the Queen as head of State, who is responsible for judicial and other appointments made on her behalf in consultation with the head of the elected government 6[[http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/140416/140426/gibraltar/] The Secretariat of the Commonwealth: "The governor represents the British monarch who is head of state and retains direct responsibility for all matters not specifically allocated to local ministers: principally external affairs, defence and internal security"][[http://www.pwc.com/gi/en/about-us/about-gibraltar.jhtml] PriceWaterhouseCoopers "About Gibraltar"][[http://www.gpa.gi/about_the_Gibraltar_Police_Authority.html] Gibraltar Police Authority, ''About the Gibraltar Police Authority - Other Duties and Responsibilities - Accountability'': "1.]
to be accountable to the Governor on policing aspects of national security including internal security (section 12); 2.
to be accountable to the Government for those parts of the Annual Policing Plan which do not relate to national security (section 15)."[[http://www.gibraltar& #46gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2007/133-2007.pdf] Gibraltar Chief Minister’s address at the United Nations Committee of 24 on 5 June 2007: The new Constitution "maximises self Government in all areas of Governance except defence, external affairs and internal security which, under our own Constitution vest in the Governor as a matter of distribution of powers."][[http://news.bbc.co 6uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3851047.stm] Regions and territories: Gibraltar "Gibraltar is self-governing in all areas except defence and foreign policy."][[http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/library/erp02.pdf] Page 6, "Lords of Appeal in Ordinary in the House of Lords are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, but the Lord Chancellor's opinion is generally sought.]
This method of appointment is a matter of practice and convention, not of written law." Gibraltar nonetheless remains on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories[{{cite web]
url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm
title=Non-Self Governing Territories
accessdate=2008-10-18
publisher=United Nations}} though politicians both from the British Foreign Office[{{cite web]
url=http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/int/Today/chronicle.asp?fld_ID=8595
title=Official Government of Gibraltar London website
accessdate=18 October 2008}} and Gibraltar wish to see it removed citing that Gibraltar has effectively been decolonised.[{{cite web]
url =http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/topical_speeches/un_fourth_committee.htm
title=Address to UN
accessdate=18 October 2008}} Spain opposes any attempt to remove it from the list.[[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/gacol3192.doc.htm] Special Committee on Decolonisation hears petitioner from Gibraltar as Spain opposes its removal from list of Non-Self-Governing Territories "the representative of Spain opposed any attempt to remove it from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories undergoing decolonisation"]
The Parliament of Gibraltar is elected for a term of up to four years.
The head of Government is the Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Chief Minister (as of March 2010, Peter Caruana Queen's Counsel
QC[{{cite web]
url=http://www.chronicle.gi/
title=Gibraltar Chronicle
accessdate=16 March 2010}}).
The Government consists of ten elected members.
The unicameral Gibraltar Parliament
Parliament presently consists of seventeen elected members, and the Speaker who is not elected, but appointed by a resolution of the Parliament.[The Gibraltar Parliament http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/the-gibraltar-parliament] There are three political parties currently represented in the Parliament: the governing Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), and two opposition parties - the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) and the Gibraltar Liberal Party which are in an electoral alliance and form a single parliamentary grouping.
The Gibraltar general election, 2007
2007 election was contested by the GSD, GSLP-Liberal Alliance, the PDP and two independents.
Two parties which fielded candidates in the Gibraltar general election, 2003
2003 election did not present candidates in the 2006 election; the Reform Party (Gibraltar)
Reform Party was wound up and Gibraltar Labour Party absorbed into the GSD in a merger in 2005.
A new party, the Progressive Democratic Party (Gibraltar)
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) was formed in 2006 and fielded candidates in the 2007 election, but none were elected.
Gibraltar is a part of the European Union, having joined under the British Treaty of Accession (1973), with exemption from some areas such as the Customs Union and Common Agricultural Policy.
After a ten-year campaign to exercise the right to vote in European Elections, from 2004, the people of Gibraltar participated in elections for the European Parliament as part of the South West England (European Parliament constituency)
South West England constituency.[{{cite web]
url=http://www.elec toralcommission.org.uk/media-centre/newsreleasereviews.cfm/news/226
title=Gibraltar should join South West for elections to European Parliament
accessdate=2007-12-20
last=
first=
coauthors=
date=28 August 2003
publisher=Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)
Electoral Commission}}
In March 2006, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw announced that a new Gibraltar constitution had been agreed upon and would be published prior to a referendum on its acceptance in Gibraltar that year.{{Citation needed
date=February 2010}} In July, in a statement to the UK Parliament, Geoff Hoon, the Minister for Europe, stated that the new Constitution "confirms the right of self-determination of the Gibraltarian people", but mentioned that this right is limited insofar as Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht "gives Spain the right of refusal should Britain ever renounce Sovereignty".[{{cite web ]
url=http://www.publications& #46parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060704/text/60704w0007.htm#06070466000072
title= UK Parliament - Written Answers: Mr.
Hoon's answer to Mr.
Hoyle's question about Gibraltar's referendum on the Constitution and self-determination
accessdate=2010-02-26
publisher=UK Parliament}} On 30 November 2006, a Gibraltarian constitutional referendum, 2006
referendum was held to approve a Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
new constitution.
The turnout was 60ǐ% of eligible voters, of whom 60ሐ% voted to approve the constitution; 37ቃ% voted against.
The remainder returned blank votes.
The Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, welcomed the result as a step forward for Gibraltar's political development.
All local political parties oppose any transfer of sovereignty to Spain, instead supporting self-determination.
The main UK opposition parties also support this policy and it is currently UK Government policy not to engage in talks about the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the consent of the people of Gibraltar.[[http://www.publications&# 46parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/147/8032602.htm Statement by the Minister for Europe]]
Geography
{{See also
Rock of Gibraltar
Bay of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar}}
File:Rock of Gibraltar northwest.jpg
thumb
left
The Rock of Gibraltar, West Side town area, 2006
File:Rock of Gibraltar South View.jpg
thumb
left
A view of the Rock of Gibraltar from the south
File:Top of the Rock of Gibraltar.jpg
thumb
A view from the Rock of Gibraltar looking north
File:Bay of Gibraltar.jpg
thumb
Satellite view of the Bay of Gibraltar (NASA)
The territory covers {{convert
6뛻
km2
sqmi}}.
It shares a {{convert
1ǎ
km
mi
abbr=on}} land border with Spain.
On the Spain
Spanish side is the town La Línea de la Concepción, a List of municipalities in Cádiz
municipality of Cádiz (province)
Cádiz province.
The part of Cádiz province next to Gibraltar is called Campo de Gibraltar, literally ''Gibraltar Countryside''.
The shoreline measures {{convert
12
km
mi
abbr=on}} in length.
There are two coasts (''sides'') of Gibraltar– the Gibraltar east
East Side, which contains the settlements of Sandy Bay, Gibraltar
Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, and the Westside (Gibraltar)
Westside, where the vast majority of the population lives.
Having negligible natural resources and few natural freshwater resources, limited to natural wells in the north, until recently Gibraltar used large concrete or natural rock water catchments to collect water.
Fresh water from the boreholes is supplemented by two desalination plants: a reverse osmosis plant, constructed in a tunnel within the rock, and a multi-stage flash distillation plant at North Mole.[{{cite web]
url=http://www.aquagib.gi/gibraltar_water_supply.html
title=Gibraltar Water Supply
accessdate=2007-12-20
publisher=AquaGib}}
The Rock itself is made of limestone and is {{convert
426
m
ft
abbr=off}} high.
It contains many tunnelled roads, most of which are operated by the military and closed to the public.
Flora and fauna
{{See also
List of mammals of Gibraltar
List of birds of Gibraltar
List of reptiles and amphibians of Gibraltar}}
File:Iberis gibraltarica.JPG
thumb
left
''Gibraltar candytuft'' (''Iberis gibraltarica'') in The Alameda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
Over 500 different species of flowering plants grow on The Rock.
One of them, the ''Gibraltar candytuft'' (''Iberis gibraltarica''), is endemism
endemic to Gibraltar, being the only place in Europe where it is found growing in the wild.
It is the symbol of the Rock of Gibraltar#Upper Rock Nature Reserve
Upper Rock nature reserve.
Among the wild trees that grow all around The Rock, olive and pine trees are some of the most common.
Most of its upper area is covered by a nature reserve, which is home to around 230 Gibraltar Barbary Macaques
Barbary Macaques, commonly known as apes, the only wild monkeys found in Europe.[C.]
Michael Hogan (2008) [http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=31757&lang=us ''Barbary Macaque: Macaca sylvanus'', Globaltwitcher.com, ed.
Nicklas Stromberg] They sometimes visit the town area.
Recent genetic studies and historical documents point to their presence on the Rock before its capture by the British.
A superstition analogous to that of the ravens at the Tower of London states that if the monkeys ever leave, so will the British.
In 1944 British leader Winston Churchill was so concerned about the dwindling monkey population that he sent a message to the Colonial Secretary requesting that something be done about the situation.[[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3917987.stm BBC news - Churchill sends telegram to protect apes]] Other mammals found in Gibraltar include rabbits, foxes and bats.
Dolphins and whales are frequently seen in the Bay of Gibraltar.
Migrating birds are very common and Gibraltar is home to the only specimens of Barbary Partridges found on the European continent.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean / Subtropics
Subtropical with mild winters and warm summers.
There are two main prevailing winds, an easterly one known as the ''Viento de Levante
Levante'' coming from the Sahara in Africa which brings humid weather and warmer sea and the other as ''Poniente'' which is westerly and brings fresher air in and colder sea.
Its terrain consists of the 430 metre[http://www& #46gibraltar.gov.uk/hol/WhatToSee/upper_rock.asp] (1,400 ft) high Rock of Gibraltar and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it.
Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summers are generally dry.
Its average annual temperature is {{convert
18
°C
°F
abbr=on}}: {{convert
21
°C
°F
abbr=on}} during the day and {{convert
15
°C
°F
abbr=on}} at night.
In the coldest month - January, the typically temperature ranges from {{convert
10
-
17
C
F}} during the day, {{convert
5
-
12
C
F}} at night, the average sea temperature is {{convert
15
-
16
C
F}}.
In the warmest month - August, the typically temperature ranges from {{convert
25
-
31
C
F}} during the day, above {{convert
20
°C
°F
abbr=on}} at night, the average sea temperature is {{convert
22
°C
°F
abbr=on}}.
Average number of days above {{convert
21
°C
°F
abbr=on}} is 181, average number of days above {{convert
32
°C
°F
abbr=on}} is 5-6 (2 in July, 3 in August).
Average morning relative humidity: 82%, evening relative humidity: 64%.[[http://www.w eatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=59480&refer=&units=metric Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Gibraltar]] Sunshine hours is till 2,778 per year, from 150 in November (5 hours of sunshine every day) to 341 in July (11 hours of sunshine every day).[{{cite web]
url=http: //www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/index.php?destination=gibraltar
title=Weather2Travel.com: Gibraltar Climate Guide
dateformat=mdy
accessdate=}}
{{Infobox Weather
metric_first=yes
single_line=yes
location=Gibraltar
Jan_Hi_°C = 16
Feb_Hi_°C = 16
Mar_Hi_°C = 17
Apr_Hi_°C = 18
May_Hi_°C = 21
Jun_Hi_°C = 24
Jul_Hi_°C = 27
Aug_Hi_°C = 27
Sep_Hi_°C = 26
Oct_Hi_°C = 21
Nov_Hi_°C = 18
Dec_Hi_°C = 16
Year_Hi_°C = 21
Jan_Lo_°C = 11
Feb_Lo_°C = 11
Mar_Lo_°C = 12
Apr_Lo_°C = 13
May_Lo_°C = 15
Jun_Lo_°C = 17
Jul_Lo_°C = 20
Aug_Lo_°C = 20
Sep_Lo_°C = 20
Oct_Lo_°C = 16
Nov_Lo_°C = 13
Dec_Lo_°C = 12
Year_Lo_°C = 15
Jan_MEAN_°C = 13
Feb_MEAN_°C = 13
Mar_MEAN_°C = 15
Apr_MEAN_°C = 16
May_MEAN_°C = 18
Jun_MEAN_°C = 21
Jul_MEAN_°C = 23
Aug_MEAN_°C = 24
Sep_MEAN_°C = 22
Oct_MEAN_°C = 19
Nov_MEAN_°C = 16
Dec_MEAN_°C = 14
Year_MEAN_°C = 18
Jan_Precip_cm = 12
Feb_Precip_cm = 10
Mar_Precip_cm = 10
Apr_Precip_cm = 6
May_Precip_cm = 3
Jun_Precip_cm = 1
Jul_Precip_cm = 0
Aug_Precip_cm = 0
Sep_Precip_cm = 2
Oct_Precip_cm = 7
Nov_Precip_cm = 14
Dec_Precip_cm = 13
Year_Precip_cm = 83
source = Weatherbase[{{cite web
]
url=http://www.weatherbase& #46com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=59480&refer=&units=metric
title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Gibraltar
dateformat=mdy
accessdate=}}
accessdate = }}
Subdivisions
File:Gibraltar map-en-edit2.svg
right
thumb
Map of Gibraltar
Gibraltar has no administrative divisions.
It is, however, divided into seven Major Residential Areas, which are further divided into Enumeration Areas, used for statistical purposes.[{{cite web]
url=http:/ /www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/Statistics/Census_of_Gibraltar_2001.pdf
title=Census of Gibraltar 2001
accessdate=2007-12-20
year=2001
publisher=Government of Gibraltar}}
The Major Residential Areas are listed below, with population figures from the Census of 2001:
{
class="wikitable sortable"
- style="background:#f0f0f0;"
! !! Residential area !! Population !! % of total |
O Callaghan Eliott
www.gibraltarpestsolutions.c
