Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and city located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Bay of Gibraltar, near the exit of the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean (Strait of Gibraltar). It covers an area of 6.8 km² (2.6 sq mi) and is bordered to the north by Spain (Campo de Gibraltar). The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, at the foot of which is a town with many people living there. Gibraltar is home to about 34,000 people, mostly Gibraltarians.

Gibraltar was first built as a permanent watchtower by the Almohads in 1160. During the Late Middle Ages, it changed hands between the Nasrids, Castilians, and Marinids, gaining more importance after the destruction of nearby Algeciras around 1375. It became part of the Crown of Castile in 1462. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured Gibraltar from Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession. The territory was given to Great Britain forever under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Gibraltar became an important base for the Royal Navy, especially during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II, because it controlled the narrow entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, through which half of the world’s seaborne trade passes.

The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a topic of disagreement between Britain and Spain, as Spain claims the territory. In 1967, Gibraltarians strongly opposed a proposal for Spanish control in a referendum. In 2002, they also rejected a proposal for shared control. Despite this, Gibraltar has close economic and cultural ties with Spain, and many Gibraltarians speak Spanish as well as a local dialect called Llanito.

Gibraltar’s economy depends on online gambling, financial services, tourism, and the port. It has one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates, and many workers in the labor force live in Spain or are not Gibraltarians, especially in the private sector.

Since Brexit, Gibraltar is not part of the European Union. A draft treaty was created in June 2025 to allow the territory to join the Schengen Agreement and the European Union customs union. As of February 2026, the treaty has not yet been approved.

Name

The name comes from Arabic: جبل طارق, which is written in the Latin alphabet as Jabal Ṭāriq. This means "Mount of Tariq," named after Tariq ibn Ziyad, a military leader from North Africa in the 8th century. He led the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula through the Strait of Gibraltar in the year 711.

History

Evidence of Neanderthal living in Gibraltar from about 50,000 years ago was found in Gorham's Cave. After Neanderthals disappeared, Homo sapiens continued to use the caves of Gibraltar. In Gorham's Cave, stone tools, ancient fire pits, and animal bones from around 40,000 years ago to about 5,000 years ago have been discovered.

Many pieces of pottery from the Neolithic period were found in Gibraltar's caves. These items are similar to those from the Almerian culture found in Andalusia, especially near the town of Almería. There is little evidence that people lived in caves during the Bronze Age, as most had stopped living in caves by then.

In ancient times, Gibraltar was considered important by Mediterranean cultures for religious and symbolic reasons. The Phoenicians lived in the area from about 950 BC and may have used Gorham's Cave as a shrine. The Carthaginians and Romans later also used the cave for similar purposes. Gibraltar was known as Mons Calpe, a name possibly from the Phoenicians. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed Mons Calpe was one of the Pillars of Hercules, named after the Greek hero Heracles. No permanent settlements from this time have been found, but people lived near the bay in the Campo area of Gibraltar. The town of Carteia, near modern-day San Roque, Spain, was built by the Phoenicians around 950 BC on land previously occupied by the Turdetani people.

Gibraltar was part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania for nearly 300 years, from 418 to 720 AD. In 710, a Berber army led by Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed from North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula in April 711, likely near Gibraltar. This led to the Islamic conquest of much of the Iberian Peninsula. Mons Calpe was renamed Jabal Ṭāriq, meaning "Mount of Tariq," which later became "Gibraltar."

In 1160, the Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min ordered the construction of a permanent settlement, including a castle, named Medinat al-Fath. The Tower of Homage of the Moorish Castle still stands today.

From 1274 onward, Gibraltar was fought over by the Nasrids of Granada, the Marinids of Fez, and the kings of Castile. After the Nasrids abandoned Algeciras around 1375, they chose Gibraltar as a military and urban outpost despite its smaller population.

In 1462, Gibraltar was captured by Juan Alonso de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia, from the Emirate of Granada. King Henry IV of Castile later claimed Gibraltar as part of the Campo Llano de Gibraltar. Six years later, the Duke of Medina Sidonia sold Gibraltar to 4,350 conversos from Cordova and Seville, who were later expelled. In 1501, Gibraltar returned to the Spanish Crown, and Isabella I of Castile granted it a coat of arms still used today.

In 1540, Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa attacked Gibraltar, destroying much of the town. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession, a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet captured Gibraltar for the Archduke Charles of Austria. Most Spanish residents left, and only about 70 people remained. The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht gave Britain control of Gibraltar. Spain attempted to reclaim it in 1727 and during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783).

After the Great Siege, Gibraltar was rebuilt. Giovanni Maria Boschetti, who arrived in 1784, designed many buildings, including the Victualling Yard. His work influenced Gibraltar's architectural style.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Gibraltar became a key Royal Navy base and played a role in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). It was designated an Imperial fortress and remained strategically important during the Crimean War (1854–1856). By 1860, Gibraltar's population had grown to over 17,000 due to migration from Britain and other regions.

Gibraltar's importance increased with the opening of the Suez Canal, as it lay on the route between the UK and the British Empire. In the late 19th century, fortifications and the port were improved.

During World War II, most of Gibraltar's civilians were evacuated to London, Morocco, Madeira, and Jamaica. The Rock was fortified. On July 18, 1940, the Vichy French air force attacked Gibraltar in response to British bombing. Gibraltar's naval base supported Malta during its siege. Operation Pedestal, a critical supply mission in 1942, was launched from Gibraltar. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's refusal to allow German forces into Spain blocked Germany's plan to capture Gibraltar (Operation Felix).

In the 1950s, Spain claimed sovereignty over Gibraltar and restricted movement between the two regions. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly voted to remain under British rule in the 1967 referendum, leading to the Gibraltar Constitution Order in 1969. Spain closed the border with Gibraltar and cut communication links. The border was partially reopened in 1982 and fully reopened in 1985 after Spain joined the European Community.

Governance

Gibraltar has a constitution that allows it to manage most of its own affairs through a parliament. This parliament has 17 elected members and a Speaker, who is not elected but chosen by the parliament. The government includes 10 elected members. The head of state is King Charles III of the United Kingdom, represented in Gibraltar by the Governor. The Governor handles daily tasks based on advice from the Gibraltar Parliament but must follow the British government for matters like defense, foreign policy, and security. Judicial and other appointments are made by the monarch with input from the head of the elected government.

In the 2011 election, three groups competed: the Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) and Liberal Party of Gibraltar (LPG) Alliance, and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP was a new party formed in 2006 but did not win any seats in the 2007 election. The leader of the government is the Chief Minister, who was Fabian Picardo in 2011. All local political parties in Gibraltar oppose any change in sovereignty to Spain and support the right of the people to decide their future. The main UK political parties also support this stance, and the British government will not discuss Gibraltar’s sovereignty without the people’s approval.

Gibraltar was part of the European Union, joining through the European Communities Act 1972. As a UK territory, it was included under a rule that allowed special territories to join the EU with some exceptions, such as not being part of the EU’s customs system or farming policies. Gibraltar was the only British Overseas Territory in the EU. From 2004 to 2019, Gibraltarians voted in European Parliament elections as part of the South West England group. In 2016, Gibraltar voted with the UK in the EU referendum, with 96% wanting to stay in the EU. However, the UK as a whole voted to leave. Spain’s leader, Pedro Sánchez, said in 2018 that Spain would not object if Gibraltar left the EU with the UK.

Gibraltar was added to the United Nations list of territories not fully self-governing in 1946 and remained on the list since. The Gibraltar government has worked to remove it, and in 2008, the UK said keeping Gibraltar on the list was outdated.

Gibraltar is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations but is represented by the UK. It received Associate Membership of the Commonwealth Foundation in 2004 and has participated in the Commonwealth Games since 1958.

Under the British Nationality Act 1981, Gibraltarians became British Overseas Territories citizens automatically. They could also apply to become British citizens, a right that could not be denied. The British Overseas Territories Act 2002 later made all British Overseas Territories citizens, except those in Cyprus, British citizens starting on 21 May 2002.

International relations

Gibraltar is not a country on its own but a territory that belongs to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom handles Gibraltar's international relations. After Brexit, Gibraltar is no longer part of the European Union (EU) but takes part in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. On December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom and Spain agreed on a plan for the EU and the UK to negotiate an agreement that would allow Gibraltar to join the Schengen Area. This would help avoid a difficult border with Spain. Although this agreement was not officially started, both sides worked to reduce delays at the border. However, talks did not progress for many years because Spain wanted its national police to control entry into the Schengen Area, while the United Kingdom wanted the EU agency Frontex to handle this task.

In June 2025, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the European Union reached a preliminary political agreement to remove all physical border and customs checks between Gibraltar and Spain. Under the agreement, Spain's national police will conduct Schengen passport checks at Gibraltar's port and airport with Gibraltar's officials, and the land border will be fully open for people and goods. The agreement also creates cooperation between Gibraltar and Spain on customs, taxes on items like tobacco, and anti-money laundering. It includes promises to ensure fair competition in taxes, government support, and labor practices. The agreement clearly states that the United Kingdom's legal ownership of Gibraltar remains unchanged, even though Spain has practical control over Gibraltar's borders.

Geography

Gibraltar covers an area of 6.8 km² (2.6 sq mi) and shares a 1.2 km (0.75 mi) land border with Spain. The town of La Línea de la Concepción, part of the province of Cádiz, is located on the Spanish side of the border. The area behind Spain near Gibraltar is called the comarca of Campo de Gibraltar, which means "Countryside of Gibraltar." The coastline of Gibraltar is 12 km (7.5 mi) long. Gibraltar has two coasts: the East Side, which includes Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay, and the Westside, where most people live. Gibraltar does not have official administrative areas but is divided into seven Major Residential Areas.

Gibraltar has few natural resources and limited freshwater sources, such as natural wells in the north. In the past, it used large concrete or rock structures to collect rainwater. Today, fresh water comes from boreholes and two desalination plants: one uses reverse osmosis in a tunnel inside the rock, and the other uses a multi-stage flash distillation process at North Mole.

Gibraltar’s landscape includes the 426 m (1,398 ft) high Rock of Gibraltar, made of Jurassic limestone, and a narrow coastal lowland around it. Many roads are carved through the rock, but most are used by the military and not open to the public.

Gibraltar has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification Csa), with mild, rainy winters and hot, humid summers that receive little rain. Like nearby cities such as Algeciras and Tarifa, Gibraltar’s summers are cooler and temperatures are more consistent than other cities on the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula because of its location on the Strait of Gibraltar. Rain mostly occurs in winter, and summers are generally dry. The average yearly temperature is 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) during the day and 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) at night. In January, the average daily high is 16.3 °C (61.3 °F), and the average overnight low is 11.2 °C (52.2 °F). The sea temperature averages 16 °C (61 °F) in January. In August, the average daily high is 28.4 °C (83.1 °F), the average overnight low is 21.2 °C (70.2 °F), and the sea temperature averages 22 °C (72 °F).

Source 3: Meteoclimat (records except February, July, and August record lows)
Source 4: Time and Date (dew points and humidity)

Over 500 species of flowering plants grow on the Rock. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where the Gibraltar candytuft (Iberis gibraltarica) grows naturally; this plant is also found in North Africa. It is the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve. Olive and pine trees are among the most common plants around the Rock.

Most of the Rock’s upper area is protected as a nature reserve, home to about 230 Barbary macaques, often called "apes" but actually monkeys. These are the only wild apes or monkeys in Europe. The scientific name for this species is Macaca sylvanus, and it is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Three-quarters of the world’s population live in the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco. Genetic studies and historical records suggest the monkeys were on the Rock before British control, possibly introduced during the Islamic period. A superstition similar to the one about ravens at the Tower of London claims that if the apes leave, the British will also leave. In 1944, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill expressed concern about the declining monkey population and asked the Colonial Secretary to take action.

Other mammals in Gibraltar include rabbits, foxes, and bats. Dolphins and whales are often seen in the Bay of Gibraltar. Migrating birds are common, and Gibraltar is home to the only Barbary partridges found on the European continent.

In 1991, Graham Watson, Gibraltar’s MEP, raised concerns that urban development, tourism, and invasive plants were threatening local plants, birds, and bats.

In May 2016, a World Health Organization report stated that Gibraltar had the worst air quality among all British territories. The report focused on PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants in the air.

Economy

Gibraltar's economy is mainly supported by four key areas: financial services, online gambling, maritime services (such as ship repairs and fuel supplies), and tourism, which includes selling goods to visitors without taxes. In the past, the British military was a major part of Gibraltar's economy, with the naval dockyard being the main source of economic activity. However, this has decreased over the last 20 years and now makes up about 7% of the local economy, compared to over 60% in 1984. Gibraltar also has a small manufacturing industry, which accounts for less than 2% of the economy.

Gibraltar's labor market employs about 30,000 workers, with 80% working in private businesses and 20% in government jobs. The unemployment rate is very low, at about 1%.

More than half (53%) of the labor force lives in Spain or is not a Gibraltarian. According to government data, about 45% of all jobs and 58% of private sector jobs are held by people who live in Spain but work in Gibraltar. Around 63% of these workers are Spanish citizens. Over half (55%) of private sector jobs are held by people who are not Gibraltarians or British citizens. In contrast, the public sector employs mostly Gibraltarians and other British citizens (90%). As a result, Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said during Brexit talks that a lack of smooth movement for workers across borders could risk nearly half of Gibraltar's jobs.

In the early 2000s, many online gambling companies moved to Gibraltar to take advantage of its regulated environment and good tax rules for businesses. These tax rules for non-resident companies ended in 2011 and were replaced by a still favorable tax rate of 10%.

Tourism is also an important industry. Gibraltar is a popular stop for cruise ships and attracts visitors from Spanish resorts. The Rock is a well-known attraction, especially for British tourists and people living on Spain's southern coast. Gibraltar is also a shopping destination, where goods and services are not taxed with VAT but may have other local taxes. Many British stores, such as Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, and Mothercare, have branches in Gibraltar. International brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Sunglass Hut, as well as the Spanish clothing company Mango, also operate there.

Several British and international banks have offices in Gibraltar. Jyske Bank claims to be the oldest bank in Gibraltar, based on its purchase of Banco Galliano in 1987. Banco Galliano started operations in 1855. An ancestor of Barclays, the Anglo-Egyptian Bank, began operations in 1888, and Credit Foncier (now Crédit Agricole) started in 1920.

There is some manufacturing activity, which makes up about 2% of total employment. One company, Bassadone Automotive Group, builds ambulances and other vehicles from SUVs for the United Nations and other groups, employing around 320 people.

In 1967, Gibraltar passed a law that gave special tax benefits to international businesses. This helped grow industries like private banking and insurance management. Gibraltar has strong qualities as a financial center, including a legal system based on common law and access to the EU’s financial services market. Gibraltar is considered a high-quality place for business and is on the OECD’s "white list" because of its well-regulated financial and e-gaming sectors, sharing the same status as the UK, USA, and Germany. It also works closely with other countries on tax matters.

The Gibraltar Stock Exchange was created in 2014.

In January 2018, Gibraltar introduced rules for Distributed Ledger Technology to allow more flexible and adaptable approaches for new business activities. The Financial Services Commission (FSC), which was created in 1989, regulates the finance sector. In 1997, the Department of Trade and Industry started the Gibraltar Finance Centre (GFC) Division to support the financial industry. As of 2012, Gibraltar has 0.103 offices from the Big Four accounting firms per 1,000 people, the second-highest rate in the world after the British Virgin Islands, and 0.6 banks per 1,000 people, the fifth-highest rate globally. As of 2017, there was uncertainty about continuing access to the EU’s financial services market after Brexit.

Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar pound, which is issued by the government under the 1934 Currency Notes Act. These banknotes are legal money in Gibraltar along with Bank of England notes. In a currency board system, these notes are backed by reserves of British pounds. Payments are settled in British pounds. Coins in use have the same values as British coins but different designs. Most stores in Gibraltar unofficially accept euros, but some payphones, the Royal Gibraltar Post Office, and government offices do not.

Demographics

Gibraltar has one of the highest numbers of people living in a small area. In 2012, there were 32,194 people who lived there regularly, which is about 4,959 people per square kilometer (12,840 people per square mile). As more people need space, land is being created by adding new land to the area. This new land covers about one-tenth of Gibraltar’s total area but is home to more than 40% of its population, according to the 2012 census.

According to the 2012 census, 25,444 people (79.0%) were qualified to be called “Gibraltarian.” Of the remaining population, 4,249 (13.2%) were “other British,” 675 (2.1%) were Spanish, 522 (1.6%) were Moroccan, 785 (2.4%) had other European Union nationalities, and 519 (1.6%) had other nationalities.

The official language in Gibraltar is English, which is used by the government and in schools. Most people there speak both English and Spanish. Because of the mix of different groups living in Gibraltar, other languages are also spoken. For example, Berber and Arabic are spoken by the Moroccan community, while Hindi and Sindhi are spoken by the Indian community. Some families of Maltese descent speak Maltese.

Gibraltarians often speak a local language called Llanito (pronounced [ʎaˈnito]), which is unique to Gibraltar. Llanito is based on Andalusian Spanish but includes words from British English and other languages like Maltese, Portuguese, Genoese Italian, and Haketia (a type of Spanish spoken by Jewish people). People who speak Llanito often switch between English and Spanish when talking.

English is becoming more important in Gibraltar, and younger people often speak little or no Llanito, even though they learn Spanish in school. Many Gibraltarians refer to themselves as Llanitos.

According to the 2012 census, about 72.1% of Gibraltarians are Roman Catholics. The oldest Catholic church in Gibraltar is Saint Mary the Crowned, built in the 16th century. Other Christian groups include the Church of England (7.7%), the Gibraltar Methodist Church, the Church of Scotland, and various Pentecostal and independent churches. There is also a group of Plymouth Brethren. These groups are part of the Gibraltar Evangelical Alliance.

There is a group of members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and two groups of Jehovah’s Witnesses. About 7.1% of people said they do not follow any religion.

The third most common religion is Islam, practiced by 3.6% of the population. There is also a Hindu community (2%), members of the Baháʼí Faith, and a Jewish community with 763 members, which is 2.4% of the population. There are four active Orthodox synagogues in Gibraltar and several places that serve kosher food.

Education

Education in Gibraltar usually follows the English system, using a three-level structure. Schools in Gibraltar teach the National Curriculum using the Key Stage approach. There are 15 public schools, 2 private schools, and one college for further education called Gibraltar College. The government-run secondary schools are Bayside Comprehensive School and Westside School, both of which serve students of all genders. Prior Park School Gibraltar is a private secondary school that also serves students of all genders.

On March 31, 2015, the government of Gibraltar passed the University of Gibraltar Act, and the University of Gibraltar began operations in September 2015. Before this, Gibraltar did not have any institutions that provided full-time higher education. As a result, all students from Gibraltar who needed to complete degree programs or certain non-degree courses studied outside of Gibraltar.

Culture

The culture of Gibraltar shows the many different backgrounds of its people. While Spanish (mostly from Andalusia) and British influences are present, most Gibraltarians have roots from other groups as well. These include Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese, Catalan, Sephardic Jewish, Sicilian, Moroccan, and Indian communities. British influence is still strong, with English used in government, business, schools, and media.

Gibraltar's first vote on self-governance is celebrated every year on Gibraltar National Day (10 September). This day is a public holiday, and many people wear red and white, the national colors. Before 2016, people also released 30,000 red and white balloons to represent the population. This tradition was stopped because it harmed wildlife, especially marine animals. In 2004, the 300th anniversary of Gibraltar's capture was marked on Tercentenary Day (4 August). The Royal Navy was honored with the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar, and a human chain of people in red, white, and blue formed around the Rock. In 2012, the Gibraltar Diamond Jubilee Flotilla, inspired by a similar event in the UK, celebrated 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation runs television and radio stations using UHF, VHF, and medium-wave signals. Its radio service is also available online. Special events and daily news are shown as videos online. Another local radio service is provided by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which also offers limited cable television to military personnel. The largest newspaper is the Gibraltar Chronicle, Gibraltar's oldest daily newspaper and the second-oldest English-language newspaper in continuous print with daily editions six days a week. Other publications include Panorama (weekdays) and 7 Days, The New People, and Gibsport (weekly).

Gibraltarians have created notable works in literature. The first known novel was Héctor Licudi's 1929 Spanish-language book Barbarita, which tells the story of a young Gibraltarian man. In the 1940s and 1950s, poets Leopoldo Sanguinetti, Albert Joseph Patron, and Alberto Pizzarello published poetry collections. In the 1960s, Elio Cruz wrote two highly praised Spanish-language plays: La Lola se va pá Londre and Connie con cama camera en el comedor. In the 1990s, Mario Arroyo wrote Profiles (1994), a bilingual collection of writings about love, loneliness, and death. Trino Cruz is a bilingual poet who writes in English and Spanish and translates poetry from the Maghreb region. Recent works include essays by Mary Chiappe, such as Cabbages and Kings (2006), and books by M. G. Sanchez, including Rock Black: Ten Gibraltarian Stories (2008) and Diary of a Victorian Colonial (2009). Mary Chiappe and Sam Benady also wrote detective stories featuring a 19th-century Gibraltarian detective named Bresciano.

Musicians from Gibraltar include Charles Ramirez, the first guitarist invited to perform with the Royal College of Music Orchestra. Successful rock bands like Breed 77, Melon Diesel, and Taxi have also come from Gibraltar. Glen Diani, a Gibraltarian bassist, played with the Irish/British nu metal group One Minute Silence. Albert Hammond had top 10 songs in the UK and US and wrote songs for international artists like Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Julio Iglesias.

Gibraltarian food reflects the long connection between Andalusian Spaniards and the British, as well as other groups who lived in Gibraltar over three centuries. Influences from Malta, Genoa, Portugal, Andalusia, and Britain have shaped the cuisine. This mix of flavors includes dishes like calentita, a baked bread-like food made with chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Cultural references

• In 1836, poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon wrote a poem titled "Gibraltar. Scene During the Plague," which was based on an engraving of a painting by Charles Bentley titled "Gibraltar from Algexiras." She also wrote two more poems about Gibraltar in the following year, "Gibraltar—from the Sea" and "Gibraltar, From the Queen of Spain's Chair," both of which were also based on engravings of paintings by Charles Bentley. These works can be found in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Books.
• The first song on Beirut's 2015 album No No No is titled "Gibraltar." The music video for this song is set in a fictional, futuristic version of Gibraltar.
• In The Innocents Abroad, a book written by Mark Twain, he describes a visit to Gibraltar and shares his observations about the place.
• James Joyce's novel Ulysses (1922) includes references to Gibraltar because the main character, Molly Bloom, was born in Gibraltar. A sculpture of Molly Bloom, created by local artist Jon Searle, is displayed in the Alameda Gardens.
• John Masters' book The Rock is a collection of short stories set in Gibraltar. The stories range from one set in ancient times to one that imagines a possible future for Gibraltar.
• In the James Bond novel Doubleshot by Raymond Benson, a fictional plan to return Gibraltar to Spain is the main plot. The story's final scene takes place in Gibraltar.
• In 1782, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote a musical piece titled Bardengesang auf Gibraltar: O Calpe! Dir donnert's am Fusse to celebrate the Great Siege of Gibraltar.
• The 1958 film The Silent Enemy was filmed in Gibraltar. It tells the story of the Second World War, focusing on the work of Lionel "Buster" Crabb, a mine and disposal officer in Gibraltar, during a time when Italian frogmen were attacking ships.
• The Beatles song The Ballad of John and Yoko (1969) includes the line "You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain," referring to the marriage of musician John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.
• The video game Overwatch includes a map named "Watchpoint: Gibraltar," which is set on the Rock of Gibraltar.
• The song Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix) by Kanye West featuring Jay-Z includes the line "How could you falter when you're the rock of Gibraltar?"

Sport

Football is a popular sport in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Football Association asked for full membership in UEFA, but its request was not accepted in 2007. This decision caused controversy. On 24 May 2013, Gibraltar became UEFA's 54th member after a legal decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Gibraltar played in the Euro 2016 qualifications. Their first match was a 0–0 tie against Slovakia. Gibraltar's national team won its first match in a UEFA competition on 13 October 2018, beating Armenia 1–0 in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D.

Later, Gibraltar applied for FIFA membership, but this was also not accepted. On 2 May 2016, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) supported Gibraltar's request to join FIFA as a full member. CAS ordered FIFA to stop blocking Gibraltar's application and allow it to join "without delay."

Rugby union is a popular and growing team sport in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Rugby Football Union applied for membership in the main organization for rugby in Europe. Gibraltar is thought to be where the rugby variant Tag Rugby originated.

Communications

Gibraltar has a digital telephone system that uses fiber optic and copper cables. The telephone company Gibtelecom also runs a GSM network. Internet access is available through the fixed network. Gibraltar's top-level domain code is .gi.

Gibraltar offers International Direct Dialing (IDD). The country was given the +350 code by the International Telecommunication Union. Spain accepted this code on February 10, 2007, after a telecom dispute was resolved.

Transport

In Gibraltar, the main way people travel is by car. Motorcycles are also common, and there is a modern bus service. Unlike in the UK and other British territories, vehicles in Gibraltar drive on the right side of the road, and speed limits are measured in kilometers per hour. This is because Gibraltar shares a land border with Spain. The E15 road connects Gibraltar to Spain, France, England, and Scotland. From the Spanish side, this road is called the CA-34 autovía.

Transport restrictions were introduced by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1969. These rules closed the land border and stopped air and ferry connections between Gibraltar and Spain. In 1982, the land border was reopened. In 2006, an agreement between Gibraltar, the UK, and Spain allowed the Spanish government to reduce border controls. In return, the UK increased pension payments for Spanish workers who lost jobs when Franco closed the border. In 2007, rules about phone and internet use were lifted, and air links with Spain were restored in December 2006.

Sometimes, drivers and pedestrians crossing the border with Spain face long delays. Spain has closed the border during disputes, such as when the Aurora cruise ship was involved or when Spanish fishermen were arrested for fishing illegally in Gibraltar waters.

Plans for a bridge or tunnel across the Strait of Gibraltar have been proposed.

As of 2017, Gibraltar has regular flights to London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol in the UK. These flights use the Royal Air Force’s military airport in Gibraltar, which also serves as the territory’s civilian airport.

GB Airways operated flights between Gibraltar and London and other cities for many years. The airline was originally called "Gibraltar Airways" but changed its name to GB Airways in 1989 to avoid political issues. It used British Airways’ plane designs. In 2007, GB Airways was bought by easyJet, which started flying to Gibraltar in 2008. easyJet later added flights to Bristol and Manchester and operated flights to Liverpool between 2011 and 2012. Monarch Airlines, a UK airline, operated the most flights to Gibraltar until it entered financial trouble in 2017. Iberia, Spain’s national airline, once flew daily to Madrid but stopped due to low demand. A Spanish airline, Ándalus Líneas Aéreas, briefly offered flights to Gibraltar but also stopped. Air Malta provides an annual return flight to Malta.

Gibraltar International Airport is unusual because it is close to the city center, so the airport terminal is within walking distance of much of Gibraltar. The runway crosses Winston Churchill Avenue, a road that once led to Spain, and requires barriers to stop traffic when planes take off or land. New roads and a tunnel were planned to allow traffic to continue while planes use the runway. These changes were meant to open with a new airport terminal, originally expected in 2009, but the terminal finally opened on 31 March 2023. The new road and tunnel, named Kingsway, connects under the airport terminal and runway to Devil’s Tower Road. The runway is closed to regular traffic but can be used for emergencies or by pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility scooters. An alternative subway is available for traffic.

The most common alternative airport for Gibraltar is Málaga Airport in Spain, about 120 km (75 miles) to the east. It offers many flight options. Jerez Airport, closer to Gibraltar, is the second most popular. A ferry service connects Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco. A ferry between Gibraltar and Algeciras, which was closed in 1969, reopened in 2009 and is operated by the Spanish company Transcoma. A vehicle ramp at the North Mole allows cars to be loaded or unloaded from a RORO ferry.

Ferries operated by FRS run twice a week from Gibraltar to Tanger-Med port in Morocco, connecting to the Moroccan railway system.

Gibraltar no longer has any railway systems. On the Spanish side of the border, railway tracks extend to the outskirts of La Línea, near an old rail project from the 1970s that was never completed.

Water supply and sanitation

Gibraltar's drinking water comes only from desalination, which turns seawater into fresh water. Saltwater is used separately for cleaning and sanitation. Both water supplies are sent from large underground storage areas dug out under the Rock of Gibraltar.

For many years, people in Gibraltar have faced challenges in getting enough clean water. There are no rivers, lakes, or other large water sources on the peninsula. In the past, water was collected using an aqueduct, wells, and containers like cisterns, barrels, and clay pots to store rainwater. This system became less effective as the population grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to serious diseases like cholera and yellow fever. In the late 19th century, a group called the Sanitary Commission started major changes, including using large desalination plants and building giant water storage areas covering more than 2.5 million square feet (about 250,000 square meters).

Police

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP), Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP), and His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar) are the main groups that enforce laws in Gibraltar. Outside the United Kingdom, the RGP is the oldest police force from the former British Empire. It was created shortly after London's Metropolitan Police in 1829, when Gibraltar became a crown colony on 25 June 1830.

The Gibraltar police force generally follows British police traditions in its appearance. Most officers, who are mostly men, wear the traditional custodian helmet during foot patrols. This helmet is made of cork covered with felt or a material similar to serge, which matches their uniforms. The police vehicles look very similar to those used in the UK, but they are left-hand drive.

The RGP received the prefix "Royal" in 1992. It has over 220 officers divided into several units, including the CID, drug squad, special branch, firearms unit, scene of crime examiners, traffic, marine, and operations departments.

On 24 September 2015, the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar was given to the RGP by the Mayor, Adolfo Canepa.

Armed forces

The defense of Gibraltar, as a British territory, is managed by the British government. The British Forces Gibraltar include three military branches:

• The Royal Gibraltar Regiment provides the army garrison. It has a group of soldiers stationed at Devil's Tower Camp. This regiment was first a part-time reserve force but became a permanent part of the British Army in 1990. Soldiers in the regiment are recruited from Gibraltar and include both full-time and part-time members, as well as regular soldiers from other British Army units.

• The Royal Navy keeps a group of patrol vessels and smaller boats at Gibraltar. These ships protect the British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). The land area for the Royal Navy in Gibraltar is called HMS Rooke, named after Sir George Rooke, who captured the Rock for Archduke Charles in 1704. A nearby naval air base is called HMS Cormorant. Gibraltar’s location is important for the Royal Navy and its allies. British and American nuclear submarines often visit the Z berths at Gibraltar. A Z berth allows nuclear submarines to stop for work or rest. During the Falklands War, a plan by Argentina to attack British ships in the harbor using divers (Operation Algeciras) was stopped. The naval base also helped support the British military force sent to recover the Falklands.

• The Royal Air Force station at Gibraltar is part of Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar. Although no planes are now stationed permanently at RAF Gibraltar, many RAF planes visit regularly. The airfield also houses a section of the Met Office. The Gibraltar Air Cadets is an active group.

In January 2007, the British government announced that a company called Serco would provide services for the base. This led to long discussions with the unions representing workers.

Gibraltar plays an important role in collecting signals intelligence. It is a key part of the United Kingdom’s network for monitoring communications in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Historically, Gibraltar was one of four Imperial fortress colonies, along with Bermuda, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Malta.

Sister cities and twin towns

Gibraltar has one sister city, which is named Raleigh, United States, as chosen by Sister Cities International:
• Raleigh, United States

Gibraltar is also paired with four other places:
• Goole, England, United Kingdom
• Ballymena, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Kingston, Jamaica

Freedom of the City

The following individuals, military units, and groups have been granted the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar.

• Gustavo Bacarisas: 3 October 1962.
• James John Joseph Giraldi: 12 August 1982.
• Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan: 11 December 1996.
• Sir Robert Peliza: 7 May 1998.
• Monsignor Bernard Patrick Devlin: 3 June 1999.
• 3rd Baron Merrivale: 18 October 2001.
• Lord Hoyle of Warrington: 9 September 2004.
• Nicholas Bethell, 4th Baron Bethell: 9 September 2004.
• Michael Ancram, 13th Marquess of Lothian: 1 February 2011.
• Andrew Stuart MacKinlay: 1 February 2011.
• Kaiane Aldorino: 15 September 2011.
• Lord Janner of Braunstone: 22 March 2012.
• Sir Graham Watson: 10 September 2014.
• Christian Hook: 2 June 2017.
• Sir Joseph John Bossano: 10 September 2019.
• Adolfo Canepa: 25 May 2021.

• The Royal Gibraltar Regiment: 25 September 1971.
• The Corps of Royal Engineers: 6 March 1972.
• The Royal Regiment of Artillery: 29 April 1981.
• HMS Calpe, RN: 27 April 1991.
• The Royal Marines: 28 October 1996.
• The Royal Navy: 4 August 2004.
• The Royal Gibraltar Police: 26 September 2015.
• 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment: 26 November 2016.
• RAF Gibraltar: 2 April 2018.

• The Congregation of Christian Brothers: 2 July 1977.
• The All Party British Gibraltar Group in the Parliament of the United Kingdom: 23 October 1982.
• The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 13 December 2005.
• The Scout Association (Gibraltar Branch): 2 October 2008.
• Girlguiding Gibraltar: 8 June 2010.
• Special Olympics Gibraltar: 24 October 2015.