Gibraltar, << juh BRAWL tuhr, >> is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on Spain’s southern coast. It lies on a narrow peninsula near the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. The Rock of Gibraltar, a huge limestone mass 1,398 feet (426 meters) at its highest point, occupies most of Gibraltar’s 21/2 square miles (6.5 square kilometers). Until recently, its location made Gibraltar militarily important.
Government.
A governor, appointed by the United Kingdom, acts as head of state. The Gibraltar Parliament has 18 members, 17 of whom are elected by the people. The 18th member is the speaker, who is appointed by the elected members. A Council of Ministers, made up of some of the elected members of Parliament, handles domestic affairs. A chief minister leads the council and acts as head of government. The leader of the majority party or coalition in Parliament typically serves as chief minister. The Supreme Court is Gibraltar’s highest court.
People.
Gibraltar has a population of about 34,000. The major ethnic groups—British, Italian, Maltese, Portuguese, and Spanish—reflect the history of the region. Many Moroccans live and work in Gibraltar.
Almost all the people live in apartments in the town of Gibraltar. English is the official language, but many families speak Spanish at home. Over three-quarters of the people are Roman Catholics. Gibraltar imports all its food because it has no farmland. It has a mild climate.
Most workers are employed by the Gibraltar government, a dockyard, or in the tourist industry. Financial services became an important industry in the late 1900’s.
History.
Moors from North Africa settled in Gibraltar in A.D. 711 and held it for almost 600 years. The Spaniards conquered Gibraltar in 1309 but lost it to the Moors again in 1333. The Spaniards reconquered the peninsula in 1462 and held it until 1704, when a British naval force captured it. The Treaty of Utrecht, signed in 1713, gave Gibraltar to Great Britain (now the United Kingdom). According to the Treaty of Utrecht, the United Kingdom must offer Gibraltar to Spain if the United Kingdom decides to give up the territory.
In 1964, the United Kingdom considered granting independence to Gibraltar. Spain objected and began a campaign to force the United Kingdom to return it to Spain. In 1965, the United Nations supported Spain’s claim to Gibraltar. But the United Kingdom decided in 1967 to keep the territory after the people of Gibraltar voted for continued British control.
In the past, Gibraltar had great military value to the British because of its location. In the early 1700’s, the United Kingdom established a military base there. The British used Gibraltar to keep enemy ships from entering or leaving the Mediterranean Sea. In 1942, during World War II, the Allies launched an attack from Gibraltar against German and Italian forces in North Africa. After the war, Gibraltar’s military importance declined gradually. In 1991, the United Kingdom withdrew its military forces from Gibraltar. However, Gibraltar remained a British overseas territory.
See also Barbary ape ; Gibraltar, Strait of ; Utrecht, Peace of .
