Location

Bordering the Strait of Gibraltar on the southern coast of Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Size

Total area of 6.5 sq km.

Topography 

Formed of Jurassic limestone, the island has a sheer cliff on the eastern side and slopes more gently to the west and consists large of scrub and patches of woodland, with a rocky shoreline.

Biodiversity

Species confined to Gibraltar include sea-slugs, snails and plants (e.g., Gibraltar candytuft in the main picture). Within Europe, Barbary macaques are unique to Gibraltar.

Main economic activities 

Gibraltar has a thriving, if narrowly based, economy dominated by three main sectors – financial services, shipping and tourism (including retail for visitors). The tourism industry has grown rapidly over the past 15 years and Gibraltar now receives in excess of 7.8 million visitors per annum, who spend more than £170 million between them.

Other information 

Population: 28,779 (Abstract of Statistics 2005).

JNCC has prepared a series of outreach materials which give a general background to climate change and includes territory specific information on  climate change impacts .