GENERAL:

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.


GEOGRAPHY:

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

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%

Irrigated land:	20 sq km

Natural hazards:	NA

Environment - current issues:	very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

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:

Population:	400,214

Age structure:	0-14 years:	17.1% (male 35,264/female 33,368)
	15-64 years:	69.1% (male 139,890/female 136,767)
	65 years and over:	13.7% (male 23,554/female 31,371)

Median age:	total:	38.7 years
	male:	37.2 years
	female:	40.1 years

Population growth rate:	0.42%

Birth rate:	10.22 births/1,000 population

Death rate:	8.1 deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate:	2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio:	at birth:	1.06 male(s)/female
	under 15 years:	1.06 male(s)/female
	15-64 years:	1.02 male(s)/female
	65 years and over:	0.75 male(s)/female
	total population:	0.99 male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate:	total:	3.86 deaths/1,000 live births
	male:	4.34 deaths/1,000 live births
	female:	3.35 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:	total population:	79.01 years
	male:	76.83 years
	female:	81.31 years

Total fertility rate:	1.5 children born/woman

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:	92.80%
	male:	92%
	female:	93.60%


GOVERNMENT:

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:	Valletta

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; 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:	unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections:	last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by August 2008)
election results:	percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

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 [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

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:

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 textiles), and tourism. Continued sluggishness in the European economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth.

GDP - real growth rate:	1.50%

GDP - per capita (PPP):	$19,000

GDP - composition by sector:	agriculture:	3%
	industry:	23%
	services:	74%

Labor force:	160,000

Labor force - by occupation:	agriculture 3%, industry 22%, services 75%

Unemployment rate:	7.80%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):	2.80%

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, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Exports - commodities:	machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners:	US 15.7%, France 15.5%, Singapore 14.5%, UK 11.2%, Germany 10.8%

Imports - commodities:	machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco

Imports - partners:	Italy 25.4%, France 13.1%, UK 12%, Germany 8.9%, US 5.2%, Singapore 4.1%

Currency (code):	Maltese lira (MTL)

Fiscal year:	calendar year


TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES:

Disputes - international:	none