Self-sufficient gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. the british military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. the financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. the financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of gdp. telecommunications accounts for another 10%. in recent years, gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment.
Limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant
Na
28,002 (july 2008 est.)
Southwestern europe, bordering the strait of gibraltar, which links the mediterranean sea and the north atlantic ocean, on the southern coast of spain
Total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km
A little less than one half the size of rhode island
Conventional long form: none conventional short form: gibraltar
Name: gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 n, 5 21 w time difference: utc+1 (6 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last sunday in march; ends last sunday in october
In 2002, gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the uk and spain; spain disapproves of uk plans to grant gibraltar even greater autonomy