Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. It has an area of 6.7 km2 (2.6 Sq mi) and shares its northern border with the Province of Cádiz in Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 Gibraltarians and other nationalities.

An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar from Spain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of the Habsburg pretender to the Spanish throne. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. During World War II it was an important base for the Royal Navy controlling the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, which is only eight miles (13 km) wide at this point. Gibraltar's economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services, and shipping.

The sovereignty of Gibraltar has been a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in a 1967 referendum and again in 2002. Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of Government of the United Kingdom.  In 2025 the UK began negotiations with the EU, with the blessing of Spain to bring Gibraltar within the Schengen jurisdiction, allowing enhanced trade between Gibraltar and access with the EU.  This Treaty sets sovereignty issues to one side and will modernise Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU and more importantly with Spain,  The Treaty is expected to be signed within the first few  months of 2026.

The Gibraltar Government is currently formed by the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) – Gibraltar Liberal Party (GLP) Alliance, which has been in office since the 2011 election. The 2011 election was contested by the Gibraltar Social Democrats (GSD), the GSLP- GLP Alliance and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).  The most recent election was held on 17th October 2019, which was also contested by the GSD and Together Gibraltar.  

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. It has an area of 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi) and shares its northern border with the Province of Cádiz in Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 Gibraltarians and other nationalities.

An Anglo-Dutch force captured Gibraltar from Spain in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of the Habsburg pretender to the Spanish throne. The territory was subsequently ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. During World War II it was an important base for the Royal Navy controlling the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, which is only eight miles (13 km) wide at this point. Today Gibraltar's economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services, and shipping. Gibralatr sovereignty has been a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations, as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in a 1967 referendum and again in 2002. Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of Government of the United Kingdom. The new 2026 EU Treaty will go a long way to modernising Gibraltar’s relationship with Spain.

Gibraltar was part of the European Union, having joined through the European Communities Act 1972 (as a part of the UK), which gave effect to the Treaty of Accession 1972, under what was then article 227(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.  This covered special member state territories, with exemption from some areas such as the Customs Union and Common Agricultural Policy.   After a 10-year campaign for the right to vote in European elections, people of Gibraltar participated in the 2004 elections to the European Parliament as part of the South West England constituency.

On 23rd June 2016 Gibraltar voted in the UK Brexit Referendum resulting in over 96% of the Gibraltar electorate voting to remain within the European Union. Despite this overwhelming result, it was not enough to overturn the UK national result of 52% Leave – 48% Remain.  As a consequence Gibraltar left the European Union on 1st February 2020 together with the rest of the United Kingdom. 

The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes Gibraltar on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.[39] Gibraltar has been on the list since December 1946.