Malta Travel Guide - Facts on Malta

		Malta
		Tourism Information Best Places to Visit Other Countries
	Malta Travel Guide: Facts on Malta
History Geography People Economy Communications Transportation
Map of Malta and its major cities

History		Top of Page
	Malta's location between Europe and Northern Africa has made it a meeting ground for differing cultures. Settled over 7,000 years ago, Malta has a long and complex history. It is perhaps best known as the home of the Knights Hospitaller after they were evicted from Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire. 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 become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May of 2004
Geography		Top of Page
Location	Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic Coordinates	35 50 N, 14 35 E
Area	Total: 316 sq km Water: 0 sq km Land: 316 sq km
Area - Comparative	Slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land Boundaries	0 km
Coastline	196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Climate	Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain	Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation Extremes	Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m Highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural Resources	Limestone, salt, arable land
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
Natural hazards	None
People		Top of Page
Population	401,880 (July 2007 est.)
Age Structure	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.)
Nationality	Noun: Maltese (singular and plural) Adjective: Maltese
Ethnic Groups	Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions	Roman Catholic 98%
Language	Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy	Definition: age 10 and over can read and write Total population: 92.8% Male: 92% Female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Government		Top of Page
Country Name	Conventional long form: Republic of Malta Conventional short form: Malta Local short form: Malta Local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
Government Type	Republic
Capital	Valletta
Administrative Divisions	None (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders
Independence	21 September 1964 (from UK)
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
Economy		Top of Page
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. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth.
Currency	Euro (January 1, 2008)
Currency Code	EUR
Communications		Top of Page
Telephone System	General assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements
Internet Country Code	.mt
Transportation		Top of Page
Railways	0 km
Roadways	total: 2,227 km paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2004)
Waterways	None
Ports and Harbors	Marsaxlokk, Valletta
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Facts on Malta