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This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


Map of Malta
Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Malta Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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 will begin to use the Euro as currency in 2008.
   Geography    Malta Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 316 sq km
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
limestone, salt, arable land
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 31.25%
permanent crops: 3.13%
other: 65.62% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing
0.07 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing
Total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%)
Per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
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 Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
401,880 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 34,559/female 32,707)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 141,265/female 137,951)
65 years and over: 13.8% (male 23,802/female 31,596) (2007 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 39 years
male: 37.6 years
female: 40.4 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.413% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.19 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.753 male(s)/female
total population: 0.987 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 79.15 years
male: 76.95 years
female: 81.47 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 92.8%
male: 92%
female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
   Government    Malta Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form: Malta
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
1964 constitution; amended many times
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
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 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:
Definition Field Listing
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 12 April 2003 (next to be held by August 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 47.5%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
Australia Group, C, CE, CPLP (associate), EBRD, EIB, 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, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
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 Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
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):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$9.342 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$5.816 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.4% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$23,200 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 22.3%
services: 74.9% (2003 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
164,000 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 3%
industry: 22%
services: 75% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.8% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
28 (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.9% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.7% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $3.316 billion
expenditures: $3.368 billion (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.106 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.959 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18,600 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18,210 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-$411 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.403 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 15.3%, Singapore 13.2%, US 13%, Germany 12.5%, UK 9.5%, Japan 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.2% (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.212 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Italy 28%, UK 10.5%, France 8.7%, Germany 7.6%, Singapore 6.8%, US 5.6% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$6.19 million (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.522 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$188.8 million (2005)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$NA
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.097 billion (2005)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Maltese lira (MTL)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Malta Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
202,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
346,800 (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
5 (2006)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.mt
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
21,386 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
127,200 (2005)
   Transportation    Malta Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 2,227 km
paved: 2,014 km
unpaved: 213 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
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:
Definition Field Listing
Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta
   Military    Malta Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 90,651
females age 18-49: 87,047 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 74,525
females age 18-49: 71,333 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.7% (2006 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Malta Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


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