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  Malta  
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This page was last updated on 18 December 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 began 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
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
403,532 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
total: 39.2 years
male: 37.9 years
female: 40.6 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.407% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.33 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
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:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 79.3 years
male: 77.08 years
female: 81.64 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.51 children born/woman (2008 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
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
fewer 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) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 92.8%
male: 92%
female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field Listing
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.1% of GDP (2004)
   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 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:
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 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:
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 [acting leader Charles MANGION]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra ro ALDM (against illegal immigration); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (encourages tourism); Alternattiva Demokratika (campaign to reform rent law, and other campaigns); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights); Nazi Watch Malta (exposing Nazis)
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, 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, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, 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
$9.4 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$7.419 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$23,400 (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
166,000 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 3%
industry: 22%
services: 75% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.4% (2007 est.)
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)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $3.485 billion
expenditures: $3.554 billion (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.24% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.603 billion
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 15 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$7.645 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$10.99 billion (31 December 2007)
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
2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.85 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18,680 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18,910 bbl/day (2005)
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 (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-$424.5 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.238 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Singapore 14.4%, Germany 13.7%, France 12.6%, US 11.3%, UK 10%, Hong Kong 6.1%, Japan 4.9%, Italy 4% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.541 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Italy 26%, UK 15%, France 9.5%, Germany 8.8%, Singapore 5.2% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.798 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
euro (EUR) as of 1 January 2008; Maltese lira (MTL) before then
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
euros (EUR) 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)
   Communications    Malta Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
198,100 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
371,500 (2007)
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) (2007)
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
26,494 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
158,000 (2007)
   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 (2005)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,438
by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17
foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23)
registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008)
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) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 96,309
females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 80,227
females age 16-49: 76,623 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing
male: 2,815
female: 2,657 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.7% of GDP (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 18 December 2008


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