2001 Edition

Administrative divisions

none (administered directly from Valletta)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062) 15-64 years: 67.49% (male 133,914; female 132,402) 65 years and over: 12.53% (male 20,643; female 28,771) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Airports

1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2000 est.) Malta Military

Area

total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

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. Over the last 15 years, the island has become a major freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership. Malta Geography

Birth rate

12.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

revenues: $1.6 billion expenditures: $1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $265.4 million (1999)

Capital

Valletta

Climate

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Coastline

196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Constitution

1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta

Currency

Maltese lira (MTL)

Currency code

MTL

Death rate

7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

$130 million (1997)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador George SALIBA embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01 telephone: [356] 235960 through 235965

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador George SALIBA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

Disputes - international

none

Economic aid - recipient

$NA

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 freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. However, the island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.

Electricity - consumption

1.534 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

1.65 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Environment - current issues

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Ethnic groups

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Exchange rates

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.4370 (January 2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZE (since 4 April 1999) 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 NA April 1999 (next to be held by NA April 2004); 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: Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%

Exports

$2 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners

US 21.4%, France 15.2%, Germany 12.6%, UK 9.3%, Italy 4.9% (1999)

FAX

[1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York

[356] 243229

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March Malta Communications

Flag description

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the Saint George Cross, edged in red Malta Economy

GDP

purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 2.8% industry: 25.5% services: 71.7% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

35 50 N, 14 35 E

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 Malta People

Government type

republic

Highways

total: 1,742 km paved: 1,677 km unpaved: 65 km (1997)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.52% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Imports

$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

France 19.1%, Italy 16.7%, UK 10.9%, Germany 10.0%, US 8.5% (1999)

Independence

21 September 1964 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Infant mortality rate

5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2000 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.mt

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (2000)

Internet users

40,000 (2000) Malta Transportation

Irrigated land

11.45 sq km (2000 est.)

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Labor force

145,901 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation

industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 32% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 4% other: 61% (2000 est.)

Languages

Maltese (official), English (official)

Legal system

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

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 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.1 years male: 75.64 years female: 80.79 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 88.76% male: 86.91% female: 89.55% (1995 census) Malta Government

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

Merchant marine

total: 1,414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,191,090 GRT/46,773,603 DWT ships by type: bulk 443, cargo 394, chemical tanker 48, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 14, container 69, liquefied gas 2, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 296, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 18 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 1, Bermuda 1, Belgium 1, Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 11, China 7, Costa Rica 1, Cuba 2, Cyprus 15, Denmark 1, Estonia 2, Finland 1, Germany 23, Greece 258, Hong Kong 3, Croatia 9, Hungary 1, India 2, Israel 2, Italy 17, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Latvia 2, Lithuania 1, Monaco 14, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 10, Norway 31, Poland 8, Romania 3, Russia 39, Singapore 6, Spain 3, Sweden 3, Syria 1, Switzerland 25, UAE 2, Turkey 24, UK 8, Ukraine 9, US 9, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)

Military branches

Armed Forces (including land forces, an air squadron, a maritime squadron, and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$201 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

5.5% (FY98) Malta Transnational Issues

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 98,953 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 78,783 (2001 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Nationality

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Net migration rate

2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

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 [Edward FENECH ADAMI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

394,583 (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.74% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios

255,000 (1997)

Railways

0 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 91%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

187,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17,691 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Televisions

280,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.5% (3rd Quarter 2000)

Waterways

none