Malta

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

7,156 (2004)

Internet users

120,000 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Telephone system

general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

208,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

290,000 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

6 (2000)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $2.27 billion expenditures: $2.549 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

Currency (code)

Maltese lira (MTL)

Current account balance

$-241 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external

$130 million (1997)

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 fresh water supplies, and has no 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.

Electricity - consumption

2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

2.15 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3444 (2004), 0.3773 (2003), 0.4337 (2002), 0.4501 (2001), 0.4382 (2000)

Exports

$2.625 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners

US 15.7%, France 15.5%, Singapore 14.5%, UK 11.2%, Germany 10.8% (2004)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.223 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $18,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$3.407 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Italy 25.4%, France 13.1%, UK 12%, Germany 8.9%, US 5.2%, Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Labor force

160,000 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.865 billion (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate

7% (2003 est.)

Area

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

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

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)

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, 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

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

Irrigated land

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 28.13% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 68.74% (2001)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

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

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders

Capital

Valletta

Constitution

1964 constitution; amended many times

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William GRANT embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELL chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Eddie 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; percent of House of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes

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

Government type

republic

Independence

21 September 1964 (from UK)

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch

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

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 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

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]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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. 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 of 2004.

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 90,651 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 74,525 (2005 est.)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$31.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.7% (2004)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 36,056/female 34,097) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,537/female 135,666) 65 years and over: 13.6% (male 23,184/female 30,994) (2005 est.)

Birth rate

10.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate

8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Languages

Maltese (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.86 years male: 76.7 years female: 81.15 years (2005 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 38.36 years male: 36.91 years female: 39.84 years (2005 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate

2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population

398,534 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate

0.42% (2005 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%

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 (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Airports

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Highways

total: 2,222 km paved: 2,000 km unpaved: 222 km (2002)

Merchant marine

total: 1,140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,102,401 GRT/41,176,791 DWT by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 438, cargo 303, chemical tanker 70, combination ore/oil 2, container 54, liquefied gas 8, livestock carrier 1, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum tanker 162, refrigerated cargo 43, roll on/roll off 26, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 13 foreign-owned: 1,080 (Austria 3, Azerbaijan 1, Bangladesh 3, Belgium 12, British 1, Bulgaria 18, Canada 9, China 15, Croatia 10, Cyprus 2, Czech Republic 2, Estonia 2, Finland 1, France 5, Germany 51, Greece 527, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 7, Iran 4, Israel 26, Italy 17, Japan 2, Latvia 30, Lebanon 6, Madagascar 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 42, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 4, Romania 5, Russia 64, Slovenia 3, South Korea 4, Sweden 3, Switzerland 32, Syria 6, Taiwan 1, Turkey 87, Ukraine 25, UAE 5, United Kingdom 8, United States 3) registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Ports and harbors

Marsaxlokk, Valletta