nwealth 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 United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor and
Commander in Chief Field Marshal Sir John CHAPPLE (since NA March
1993)
head of government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988)
was appointed by the governor
Gibraltar Council: advises the governor
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed from the elected members
of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the
chief minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 16 January 1992 (next to be
held NA January 1996); results - SL 73.3%, SD 20.2%, NP 4.7%,
independents 1.8%; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, SD 7

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

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

Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association;
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization

International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau)

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

US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag: 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

Economy
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Economic overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping
trade and offshore banking. The British military presence has been
sharply reduced and now contributes about 11% to the local economy.
The financial sector accounts for 15% of GDP; tourism, shipping
services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue.
Because more than 70% of the economy is in the public sector,
changes in government spending have a major impact on the level of
employment.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1993 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $6,600 (1993 es