1996 Edition

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

Location

35 50 N, 14 35 E -- Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Flag ----

Area

comparative area

less than twice the size of Washington, DC

land area

320 sq km

total area

320 sq km

Climate

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Coastline

140 km

Environment

current issues

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

international agreements

party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification

natural hazards

NA

Geographic coordinates

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Geographic note

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors

International disputes

Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Irrigated land

10 sq km (1989)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

38%

forest and woodland

0%

meadows and pastures

0%

other

59%

permanent crops

3%

Location

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone

25 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

limestone, salt

Terrain

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

highest point

Dingli Cliffs 245 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 22% (male 42,067; female 39,958) 15-64 years: 67% (male 126,179; female 125,321) 65 years and over: 11% (male 17,766; female 24,285) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

14.79 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English

Infant mortality rate

6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

Maltese (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.6 years (1996 est.)

male

75.77 years

total population

78.11 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)

female

82%

male

86%

total population

84%

Nationality

adjective

Maltese

noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

375,576 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

1.01% (1996 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%

Sex ratio

all ages

0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

none (administered directly from Valletta)

Capital

Valletta

Constitution

1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974

Data code

MT

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Albert Borg Olivier DE PUGET

telephone

[1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet was appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister

chief of state

President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Representatives

head of government

Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Minister (since 14 May 1987) and Foreign Minister (since 1990) Dr. Guido DE MARCO

FAX

[1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s)

New York

House of Representatives

elections last held 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative

majority; current total

69 (NP 36, MLP 33 after adjustment)

Independence

21 September 1964 (from UK)

International organization participation

C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, NAM, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Legal system

based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form

Republic of Malta

conventional short form

Malta

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Political parties and leaders

Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

parliamentary democracy

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador Joseph R. PAOLINO, Jr.

embassy

2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,