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| Malta |

Introduction | Malta

Background: | Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began to use the euro as currency in 2008.

Geography | Malta

Location: | Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: | 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: | Europe
Area: | total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: | slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: | 0 km
Coastline: | 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
Climate: | Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: | mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: | limestone, salt, arable land
Land use: | arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)
Irrigated land: | 20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: | 0.07 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): | total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards: | NA
Environment - current issues: | limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements: | party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: | the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

People | Malta

Population: | 403,532 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure: | 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 33,954/female 32,158) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 142,338/female 138,792) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 24,240/female 32,050) (2008 est.)
Median age: | total: 39.2 years male: 37.9 years female: 40.6 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate: | 0.407% (2008 est.)
Birth rate: | 10.33 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: | 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate: | 2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: | total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 79.3 years male: 77.08 years female: 81.64 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate: | 1.51 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: | fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality: | noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: | Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions: | Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: | Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: | definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Government | Malta

Country name: | conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta
Government type: | republic
Capital: | name: Valletta geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions: | none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders
Independence: | 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: | Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: | 1964 constitution; amended many times
Legal system: | based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: | chief of state: President Edward FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 March 2004 (next to be held by April 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; House of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes
Legislative branch: | unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34
Judicial branch: | Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: | Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [acting leader Charles MANGION]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders: | NA
International organization participation: | Australia Group, C, CE, CPLP (associate), EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Molly BORDONARO embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229
Flag description: | two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red

Economy | Malta

Economy - overview: | Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and pharmaceuticals), and tourism. Economic recovery of the European economy has lifted exports, tourism, and overall growth. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity): | $21.89 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): | $7.419 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: | 3.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): | $53,400 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 2.7% industry: 22.3% services: 74.9% (2003 est.)
Labor force: | 164,000 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 3% industry: 22% services: 75% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: | 6.3% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line: | NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index: | 28 (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 0.7% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed): | 16.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget: | revenues: $3.479 billion expenditures: $3.549 billion (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products: | potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Industries: | tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: | NA%
Electricity - production: | 2.106 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source: | fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption: | 1.959 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production: | 0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption: | 18,600 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports: | 0 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports: | 18,210 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves: | 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production: | 0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: | 0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports: | 0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports: | 0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves: | 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance: | -$459 million (2007 est.)
Exports: | $3.278 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities: | machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners: | France 15.2%, Singapore 13.2%, US 13%, Germany 12.5%, UK 9.5%, Japan 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.2% (2006)
Imports: | $4.113 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities: | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco
Imports - partners: | Italy 28%, UK 10.5%, France 8.7%, Germany 7.6%, Singapore 6.8%, US 5.6% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient: | $6.19 million (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: | $3.694 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external: | $188.8 million (2005)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: | $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: | $NA
Market value of publicly traded shares: | $4.097 billion (2005)
Currency (code): | euro (EUR) as of 1 January 2008; Maltese lira (MTL) before then
Currency code: | MTL
Exchange rates: | euros per US dollar - 0.6795 (January 2008), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)
Fiscal year: | calendar year

Communications | Malta

Telephones - main lines in use: | 202,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular: | 346,800 (2006)
Telephone system: | general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements; fixed-line teledensity 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 per 100 persons domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: | AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Radios: | 255,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: | 5 (2006)
Televisions: | 280,000 (1997)
Internet country code: | .mt
Internet hosts: | 21,386 (2007)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 6 (2002)
Internet users: | 127,200 (2005)

Transportation | Malta

Airports: | 1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways: | total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways: | total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2004)
Merchant marine: | total: 1,281 ships (1000 GRT or over) 25,213,650 GRT/41,033,203 DWT by type: bulk carrier 439, cargo 382, chemical tanker 125, combination ore/oil 2, container 65, liquefied gas 15, livestock carrier 1, passenger 15, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 132, refrigerated cargo 41, roll on/roll off 31, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,197 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 3, Bangladesh 3, Belgium 10, Bulgaria 15, Canada 15, China 13, Croatia 12, Cyprus 15, Denmark 10, Estonia 7, France 4, Germany 67, Greece 448, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 7, India 3, Iran 24, Israel 21, Italy 45, Japan 3, South Korea 3, Latvia 36, Lebanon 12, Libya 3, Monaco 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 71, Pakistan 2, Poland 25, Portugal 3, Romania 10, Russia 66, Slovenia 3, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 22, Syria 4, Turkey 143, Ukraine 28, UAE 10, UK 12, US 11) registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 2, Portugal 1, St Vincent and The Grenadines 1) (2007)
Ports and terminals: | Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Military | Malta

Military branches: | Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007)
Military service age and obligation: | 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 96,309 females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 80,227 females age 16-49: 76,623 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 0.7% (2006 est.)

Transnational Issues | Malta

Disputes - international: | none
Illicit drugs: | minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

This page was last updated on 19 June, 2008