Page last updated on February 27,

Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain

Geographic coordinates:
36 08 N, 5 21 W

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 6.5 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 243
land: 6.5 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]

Area - comparative:
more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries:
total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]

Coastline:
12 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate:
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain:
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - lowest point country ranks ]
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - highest point country ranks ]

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
other: 100% (2005)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
NA

Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Geography - note:
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea