Gibraltar

Gibraltar Geography

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

Geographic coordinates
36 8 N, 5 21 W

Area
total: 6.5 sq km
land: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative
about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries
total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Coastline
12 km

Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

Natural resources
none

Land use
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land
NA sq km

Natural hazards
NA

Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Geography - note
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea



- Info Provided by the CIA World Factbook -