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Geography and Environment of Gibraltar
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Gibraltar.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
- Climate
- Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
- Weather Patterns
- http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/GIXX0001?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
- Highest Point
- 426 — Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
- Lowest Point
- Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- Border Countries
- Spain 1.2 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- Gibraltar is a small British Overseas Territory occupying a narrow peninsula at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and its natural resource base is extremely limited. The territory spans just 6.7 square kilometers, leaving virtually no room for agriculture, forestry, or the extraction of mineral resources. Its most notable natural asset is its strategic geographic location at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, which has historically shaped its economic and military significance far more than any extractable resource. Fresh water has traditionally been scarce, as Gibraltar lacks rivers or significant groundwater reserves. The territory has addressed this through an extensive system of rainwater catchments on the Rock's eastern slopes, supplemented by desalination plants that now supply the majority of the population's freshwater needs. The Rock of Gibraltar itself, composed primarily of Jurassic limestone, represents a defining physical feature but holds little commercial mining value. The surrounding waters of the Bay of Gibraltar and the Strait offer modest fishing opportunities, though marine activity in the area is dominated by shipping and port services rather than fishing. Gibraltar's economy relies heavily on financial services, online gaming, shipping, and tourism, compensating for the near-total absence of exploitable natural resources. The territory's enduring value lies in its position as a gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea — a geographic advantage that continues to underpin its prosperity in the absence of conventional natural wealth.
- Natural Hazards
- NA
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant