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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK
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Government type:
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NA
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Capital:
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Gibraltar
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Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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National holiday:
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National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
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Constitution:
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30 May 1969
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Legal system:
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English law
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than NA 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
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Political parties and leaders:
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Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association
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International organization participation:
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Interpol (subbureau)
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Flag description:
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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
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