Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar

Data code GI

Dependency status dependent territory of the UK

Government type NA

National capital Gibraltar

Administrative divisions none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March)

Constitution 30 May 1969

Legal system English law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects resident six months or more

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Admiral Sir Richard LUCE (24 February 1997)
head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
note: there is also a Gibraltar Council that advises the governor
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor

Legislative branch unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats, 15 elected, the Speaker, and 2 ex officio; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 16 May 1996 (next to be held NA May 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party - SD 53%, SL 42%, NP 3%; seats by party - SD 8, SL 7

Judicial branch Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or SL [Joe BOSSANO]; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights or GCL/AACR [Adolfo CANEPA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or SD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar National Party or NP [Joe GARCIA]

Political pressure groups and leaders Housewives Association; Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization

International organization participation Interpol (subbureau)

Diplomatic representation in the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag description two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band

NOTE: The information regarding Gibraltar on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Gibraltar Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Gibraltar Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.