Online version: http://www.lowtax.net/newsletter/ltx_focus_november09.asp

Dear Colleague,

In this month's LTX Jurisdiction Special Focus we take a fresh look at Gibraltar.

Gibraltar is a small peninsula located on the southern coast of Spain. It covers a total area of 6.5sq km and its coastline stretches for 12km only; there is a 1.2 km borderline with Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Gibraltar enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Its highest point is the rock of Gibraltar which reaches 426m and is surrounded by narrow coastal lowland. The supply of fresh water is limited and there is no agriculture.

In July, 2008, the population was estimated at around 28,000. The official language is English although Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian are also spoken. The ethnic groups settled in Gibraltar include Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese and Spanish.

The history of the Rock of Gibraltar is rich and varied due to its strategic location. Once dominated by Rome, the cape fell to the Goths who ruled for a further 3 centuries. The Berber Tarik-ibn-Zeyad took Gibraltar in 711, giving the Rock its name (a corruption of Jebel Tarik, Tarik's Rock). Gibraltar remained under moorish occupation for six centuries. Spain finally reclaimed Gibraltar in the late 15th century, and kept it until the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), when the Treaty of Utrecht ceded the Rock to Great Britain "for ever." Spain's last attempt to take it back by force was in 1779.

During the nineteenth century, Gibraltar developed into an impregnable fortress and a prosperous society developed within its walls. It remained a key British military and naval outpost until very recently and British culture has heavily influenced most aspects of Gibraltarian life. In modern times Spain has pursued its claim to Gibraltar in every possible way short of force of arms; but the population will have none of it, and no resolution of the problem is in sight.

Gibraltar is predominantly Roman Catholic (74%) with Protestant, Muslim and Jewish minorities.

In 1830 Gibraltar became the Crown Colony of Gibraltar with legislative powers vested in a Governor; a Charter of Justice created an independent Judiciary. Gibraltar is now a dependent territory of the UK with internal self-government based on a Constitution of 1969. The UK remains responsible for defence, foreign affairs and internal security.

Gibraltar has its own House of Assembly, comprising fifteen elected members and two nominated members; the last elections were in 2007. The two main parties are the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (led by Joe Bossano) and the Gibraltar Social Democrats (led by Peter Caruana). The latter is currently in power.

You can read the rest of the feature here: http://www.investorsoffshore.com/html/specials/special_focus_gibraltar_november_09.html

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Kind regards,

Kate James