he chief minister
note: there is also a Gibraltar Council that advises the governor
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by
the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats--15
elected, on for the Speaker, and two 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

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

International organization participation: Interpol (subbureau)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas 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

Economy

Economy--overview: Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping
trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international
conference center. 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 (more than 5
million visitors in 1995), 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--$500 million (1997 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: NA%

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$17,500 (1997 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1996)

Labor force: 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)

Labor force--by occupation: services 60%, industry 40%,
agriculture NEGL%

Unemployment rate: 13.5% (1996)

Budget:
revenues: $111.6 million