Short facts about the geography of Gibraltar

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 11 N, 5 22 W

Map references:

Europe

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:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land:  0% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  0% forests and woodland:  0% other:  100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

limited natural freshwater resources; large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater

Geography - note:

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

Source: World Factbook