Gibraltar (UK): Geography

The World Factbook 1993: Gibraltar Geography

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

Area: total area: 6.5 km2 land area: 6.5 km2 comparative area: about 11 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total 1.2 km, Spain 1.2 km

Coastline: 12 km

Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

International disputes: source of occasional friction between Spain and the UK

Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders The Rock

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA km2

Environment: natural freshwater sources are meager, so large water catchments (concrete or natural rock) collect rain water

Note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea