Gibraltar is a British overseas territory therefore it allows individuals born there the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
It lies near the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, 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).
Large scale evacuation from Gibraltar to the UK occurred during World War II, 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 UK, and many eventually returned to Gibraltar after stability became better established.