Gibraltarians in the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Gibraltarians in the United Kingdom is a term referring to Gibraltarian
-born immigrants
to the United Kingdom
and their British
-born descendent
s. Gibraltar
is a British overseas territory
therefore it allows individuals born there the right of abode
in the United Kingdom. They hold British Overseas Territory Citizenship
but may apply for registration as a British citizen (an entitlement that cannot be refused) under section 5 of the British Nationality Act 1981
and are considered United Kingdom national
s for European Union
purposes with all consequential rights and entitlements.
, almost entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean sea
(the Bay of Gibraltar
to the west, the Strait of Gibraltar
to the south, the Alboran sea
to the east and Spain
to the north). It is one of only two British overseas territories in Europe and about one third of Gibraltarians now live in the UK.
, Gibraltar's location in a war-torn nation meant mass evacuation from the territory was inevitable. Approximately 16,700 evacuees left Gibraltar with the UK taking in 12,500 of them, the majority settled in Kensington
, Fulham
and Barking (all London
), although numerous others sought refuge elsewhere in the country (particularly Northern Ireland
). Due to lack of accommodation, many of these Gibraltarians were reluctant to stay in the mainland UK, and many eventually returned to Gibraltar after stability became better established.
, 11,830 people born in Gibraltar were residing in the UK, which constitutes the largest group of British overseas territory citizens residing in mainland UK. The UK is also the country with the largest group of Gibraltarians resident outside Gibraltar.
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
-born immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and their British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
-born descendent
Lineal descendant
A lineal descendant, in legal usage, refers to a blood relative in the direct line of descent. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc...
s. Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
is a British overseas territory
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
therefore it allows individuals born there the right of abode
Right of abode
The right of abode is an individual's freedom from immigration control in a particular country. A person who has the right of abode in a country does not need permission from the government to enter the country and can live and work there without restriction....
in the United Kingdom. They hold British Overseas Territory Citizenship
British Overseas Territories citizen
The status of British Overseas Territories citizen relates to persons holding British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.-British Nationality Act 1981:...
but may apply for registration as a British citizen (an entitlement that cannot be refused) under section 5 of the British Nationality Act 1981
British Nationality Act 1981
The British Nationality Act 1981 was an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament concerning British nationality. It has been the basis of British nationality law since 1 January 1983.-History:...
and are considered United Kingdom national
United Kingdom national
United Kingdom national is a term used differently in various United Kingdom Acts of Parliament. Most commonly, it refers to the following classes of persons:* British Citizens;* British Nationals ;...
s for European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
purposes with all consequential rights and entitlements.
Background
Gibraltar has been under British rule since 1704. It lies near the southernmost point of the Iberian PeninsulaIberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
, almost entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
(the Bay of Gibraltar
Bay of Gibraltar
The Bay of Gibraltar is a bay at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It is around long by wide, covering an area of some , with a depth of up to in the centre of the bay...
to the west, the Strait of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain in Europe from Morocco in Africa. The name comes from Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq , albeit the Arab name for the Strait is Bab el-Zakat or...
to the south, the Alboran sea
Alboran Sea
|300px|thumb|]]The Alboran Sea is the westernmost portion of the Mediterranean Sea, lying between Spain on the north and Morocco and Algeria on the south...
to the east and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to the north). It is one of only two British overseas territories in Europe and about one third of Gibraltarians now live in the UK.
History
Largescale evacuation from Gibraltar to the UK occurred during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Gibraltar's location in a war-torn nation meant mass evacuation from the territory was inevitable. Approximately 16,700 evacuees left Gibraltar with the UK taking in 12,500 of them, the majority settled in Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
and Barking (all London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), although numerous others sought refuge elsewhere in the country (particularly Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
). Due to lack of accommodation, many of these Gibraltarians were reluctant to stay in the mainland UK, and many eventually returned to Gibraltar after stability became better established.
Statistics
According to the 2001 UK CensusUnited Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, 11,830 people born in Gibraltar were residing in the UK, which constitutes the largest group of British overseas territory citizens residing in mainland UK. The UK is also the country with the largest group of Gibraltarians resident outside Gibraltar.