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This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Map of Malta




Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order

   Introduction    Malta Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.
   Geography    Malta Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
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35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references:
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Europe
Area:
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total: 316 sq km
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
Climate:
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Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain:
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mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources:
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limestone, salt, arable land
Land use:
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arable land: 31.25%
permanent crops: 3.13%
other: 65.62% (2005)
Irrigated land:
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20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
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0.07 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%)
per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
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NA
Environment - current issues:
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limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements:
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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
Geography - note:
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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
   People    Malta Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
405,165 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
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0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769)
65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 39.5 years
male: 38.1 years
female: 40.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
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0.4% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
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10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
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8.29 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
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2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
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urban population: 94% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 79.44 years
male: 77.21 years
female: 81.8 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
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1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.1% (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
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noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups:
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Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions:
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Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:
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Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Literacy:
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definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 92.8%
male: 92%
female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
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total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
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5.1% of GDP (2004)
   Government    Malta Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form: Malta
Government type:
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republic
Capital:
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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
Administrative divisions:
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none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders
Independence:
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21 September 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday:
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Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution:
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1964; amended many times
Legal system:
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based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)
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 on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); 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: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives
Legislative branch:
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unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament)
elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34
Judicial branch:
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Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights)
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, 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, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA
chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612
FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS
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
Flag description:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
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    Malta Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$9.801 billion (2008 est.)
$9.695 billion (2007)
$9.329 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
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$8.584 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2.5% (2008 est.)
3.9% (2007 est.)
3.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$24,200 (2008 est.)
$24,100 (2007 est.)
$23,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 18%
services: 80.6% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
173,000 (2008)
Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 29.6%
services: 68% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
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6.4% (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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26 (2007)
Investment (gross fixed):
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20% of GDP (2008 est.)
Budget:
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revenues: $3.457 billion
expenditures: $3.653 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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4.4% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
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NA
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
6.24% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$4.639 billion
note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders (31 December 2008)
Stock of quasi money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$8.771 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
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$10 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
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$5.633 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Industries:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.85 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
18,680 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
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0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
18,910 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-$538 million (2008 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$3.491 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
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machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Singapore 14.4%, Germany 13.7%, France 12.6%, US 11.3%, UK 10%, Hong Kong 6.1%, Japan 4.9%, Italy 4% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$4.963 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco
Imports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Italy 26%, UK 15%, France 9.5%, Germany 8.8%, Singapore 5.2% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$4.15 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$188.8 million (2005)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$NA
Exchange rates:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)
   Communications    Malta Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
198,100 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
371,500 (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements; fixed-line teledensity 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 90 per 100 persons
domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
5 (2006)
Internet country code:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
.mt
Internet hosts:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
26,494 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
158,000 (2007)
   Transportation    Malta Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2008)
Roadways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 2,227 km
paved: 2,014 km
unpaved: 213 km (2005)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 1,438
by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17
foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23)
registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta
   Military    Malta Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 96,309
females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 80,186
females age 16-49: 76,426 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
male: 2,695
female: 2,533 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Malta Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


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