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Location
The Maltese islands are a small archipelago of six islands located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, between Northern Africa and Southern Europe
Malta is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, about 100 km from Sicily and 290 km from North Africa. They consist of Malta (390 sq km) Gozo (65 sq km) and Comino (2.5 sq km). They are one of the oldest civilizations in the Mediterranean dating back to circa 5000 years B.C. The population is around 400,000 and is homogeneous with its own identity and language. The largest island of the group is Malta, from which the archipelago takes its name.
In 2003, Malta had a population of just over 388,867. Gozo has a population of around 25,000. Comino, Cominotto, Filfla and St. Paul’s Islet are the other major features of the archipelago.
Of these, only Comino straddled between Malta and Gozo, sustains a very tiny population. The official languages are Maltese and English with most of the people also fluent in Italian.  
The Islands have a typically temperate climate offering warm, dry summers and mild winters. They enjoy some 300 days of sunshine and the average rainfall is about 590mm. Temperatures range between 14°C in winter and 32°C in summer.
Valletta is the capital city and houses the seat of Government. Malta has a parliamentary democracy with executive power resting with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Parliament is composed of 65 representatives elected every 5 years. The  President represents the unity of the nation. The distance between Malta and the nearest point in Sicily is 93 kilometers, whilst the distance from the nearest point on the North African mainland is 288 kilometers. Gibraltar is 1,826 km to the west and Alexandria is 1,510 km to the east. The total area is 316 sq km and the length of shoreline round Malta is 136 km. The second largest island, Gozo has a shoreline that is 43 km long. |
Facts & Figures
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Population: |
369,600 |
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Growth Rate: |
0.75% |
Birth Rate: |
13.22 births / 1,000 population |
Death Rate: |
7.43 deaths / 1,000 population |
Religions: |
Roman Catholic 98% |
Languages: |
Maltese (official), English (official) |
Labour Force: |
127,200 |
Occupation: |
Government 34%, Service 31%, Manufacturing 20%, Training 9%, Construction 4%,
Agriculture 2% |
Name: |
Republic of Malta |
Goverment Type: |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Capital: |
Valletta |
Independence: |
21st September 1964 (From United Kingdom) |
Constitution: |
1962 substantially amended on 13th December |
Economy
Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographical position and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20% of it's food needs, sources large percentage of the fresh water from reverse osmosis and has no domestic energy resources.
Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 24% of the GDP, with electronics and textile industries as major contributors and with state owned dry docks employing about 4,300 labour force. The temperate and healthful climate together with the long history dating back from the stone age together with invasions and occupations, have made Malta as one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean. Per capita GDP of USD 10,760 place Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries.
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National Product: |
GDP - purchasing power parity - USD 3.9 billion (1994 est.) |
National Product real growth rate: |
4.4% (1994 est.) |
National Product per capita: |
USD 10,760 (1994 est.) |
Inflation Rate: |
5% (1994 est.) |
Unemployment rate: |
4.5 % (March 1994) |
Export: |
USD 1.3 billion (f.o.b. 1993) |
Imports: |
USD 2.1 billion (c.i.f. 1993) |
External Debt: |
USD 603 million (1992) |
Industrial Production Growth: |
5.4% (1992) account for 27% GDP |
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