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Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the UK located in southwestern Europe, bordering the Straits of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain, at 36°11'N, 5°22'W, a strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
The territory covers 6.5 square kilometers. It shares a 1.2 kilometer land border with Spain and has 12 kilometers of shoreline. Its climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers. Its terrain is a narrow coastal lowland bordering the 426-meter-high Rock of Gibraltar. It has negligible natural resources and limited natural freshwater resources (large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rain water).
The name Gibraltar comes from the Arabic Jabal al Tariq, which means "Tariq's mountain". The territory was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in 1713. In a 1967 referendum, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. As such, its military forces are the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines; defense is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. It remains a source of friction between Spain and the United Kingdom.
From the CIA World Factbook 2000.