Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It has internal self-government.

Find Gibraltar

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Gibraltar
Languages: English
Currency: Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Population: 40,1262025 · World Bank
Area: 6.5 km²2.51 square miles
Status: British Overseas TerritoryBritish sovereignty is disputed by Spain.

Gibraltar in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Gibraltar; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

A narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar.

Languages

Languages used in public life include English.

Location

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain.

Flag

Two horizontal bands of white (top, double-width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; a gold key hangs from the castle gate and is centered in the red band

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & status

An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar in 1704, and Spain ceded it to Britain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. It is a British Overseas Territory with internal self-government. Spain continues to claim sovereignty.

1704
An Anglo-Dutch force captures Gibraltar
1713
Spain cedes Gibraltar to Britain by treaty
2006
A new constitution expands internal self-government

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Economy

Main activities

Financial services, online gaming, shipping-related services and tourism are important activities. The port and location beside the Strait of Gibraltar support maritime business. A small land area limits agriculture and heavy industry.

Industry and production

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Population trends

Population, 1970–2025

Thousands of people

40.12025 · thousands of people

Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.

Sources: World Bank · Population

View data table

Population: source values and plotted units
Year	People	Thousands of people
1970	26,634	26.634
1980	28,675	28.675
1990	27,200	27.200
2000	27,709	27.709
2010	31,248	31.248
2020	36,173	36.173
2025	40,126	40.126

Government

A self-governing British Overseas Territory. An elected Parliament and a government headed by the Chief Minister handle domestic affairs. A Governor represents the British monarch, with the UK retaining responsibilities including defence and external affairs.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Knowledge check

Three questions about Gibraltar.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which status does Gibraltar have?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.