eli5 Why is Gibraltar a British Overseas Territory? What does this mean… Isn’t it a country by itself on the map?
In: 0
The English captured Gibraltar from Spain in n the 1700s. It’s a territory outside the British isles that they control, just like they used to do with a lot of other places. It isn’t it’s own country by itself, it’s been a territory under the control of other powers for a long time. Although it has a lot of autonomy, it’s governor technically reports to the British
The British captured Gibraltar for it’s strategic value located at the mouth of the Mediterranean to help them maintain naval dominance.
While it may look like it appears on the map as it’s own country, it is a territory of the UK. It does have some autonomy, but it is protected by the British, governed by British law, and people there are British nationals.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory because England captured it from the Spanish in 1704 and have never given it back.
>Isn’t it a country by itself on the map?
No, it’s a British Overseas Territory, as are Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and the Falklands. They are self-governing but are not sovereign states.
Latest Answers