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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mt

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

21,386 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

127,200 (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

202,300 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

346,800 (2006)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

5 (2006)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.851 billion expenditures: $2.998 billion (2005 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Maltese lira (MTL)

Current account balance [time series]

$-412.1 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$188.8 million (2005)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$NA (2004)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.959 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.106 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003), 0.43362 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$2.908 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners [time series]

France 15.3%, Singapore 13.2%, US 13%, Germany 12.5%, UK 9.5%, Japan 4.9%, Hong Kong 4.2% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.473 billion (2006 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$8.518 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.7% industry: 22.3% services: 74.9% (2003 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$21,300 (2006 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.9% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$4.13 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Italy 28%, UK 10.5%, France 8.7%, Germany 7.6%, Singapore 6.8%, US 5.6% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

18.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

164,000 (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 3% industry: 22% services: 75% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$4.097 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

19,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.981 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.8% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline [time series]

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

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

limestone, salt, arable land

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

1964 constitution; amended many times

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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 [time series]

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 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

21 September 1964 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, C, CE, CPLP (associate), EBRD, EIB, 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, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 12 April 2003 (next to be held by August 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 47.5%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 90,651 females age 18-49: 87,047 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 74,525 females age 18-49: 71,333 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.7% (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 34,559/female 32,707) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 141,265/female 137,951) 65 years and over: 13.8% (male 23,802/female 31,596) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.19 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

Maltese (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.15 years male: 76.95 years female: 81.47 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 39 years male: 37.6 years female: 40.4 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate [time series]

2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

401,880 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.413% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 98%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.753 male(s)/female total population: 0.987 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1,281 ships (1000 GRT or over) 25,213,650 GRT/41,033,203 DWT by type: bulk carrier 439, cargo 382, chemical tanker 125, combination ore/oil 2, container 65, liquefied gas 15, livestock carrier 1, passenger 15, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 132, refrigerated cargo 41, roll on/roll off 31, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,197 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 3, Bangladesh 3, Belgium 10, Bulgaria 15, Canada 15, China 13, Croatia 12, Cyprus 15, Denmark 10, Estonia 7, France 4, Germany 67, Greece 448, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 7, India 3, Iran 24, Israel 21, Italy 45, Japan 3, South Korea 3, Latvia 36, Lebanon 12, Libya 3, Monaco 1, Netherlands 3, Norway 71, Pakistan 2, Poland 25, Portugal 3, Romania 10, Russia 66, Slovenia 3, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 22, Syria 4, Turkey 143, Ukraine 28, UAE 10, UK 12, US 11) registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 2, Portugal 1, St Vincent and The Grenadines 1) (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2004)