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Background:
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.
Area ;
total:
6.5 sq km
Population:
27,833 (July 2004 est.)
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Languages:
English (used in schools and for
official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Economy/;
Gibraltar benefits from an
extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an
international conference center
Industries:
tourism, banking and finance,
ship repairing, tobacco
Exports -
commodities:
(principally
re exports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%
Imports -
commodities:
fuels, manufactured goods, and
foodstuffs
Currency:
Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Useful links:
Government of Gibraltar
Gibraltar tourism,
nature and wildlife, history and politics, port of call, and local
information services. From the National Tourist Board.
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