Malta country profile

Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta became a Member State of the European Union on 1 May 2004.

Repubblika ta' Malta

Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited. The terrain is low and rocky with coastal cliffs.

Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. Later the islands were for centuries the seat of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John and then part of British Empire. It became independent in 1964.

The Maltese government is headed by the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the unicameral House of Representatives, known in Maltese as Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti.

The national language is Maltese but English is recognised as an official language, and many Maltese also speak Italian.

Tourism is important in Malta but the island also has an expanding services sector.

Traditional Maltese food includes soup (minestrone, fish), pasta and pastry dishes. Stuffed dishes are a feature of Maltese cuisine. Stuffat Tal-Fenek (rabbit stew) is a national dish.

Official name: Republic of Malta

Area (km²): 316

Population: 410 290 (2008); 413 627 (forecast for 2009)

Capital: Valletta

National holiday: 29 June

Currency: Euro (€)

Date of joining: 01 May 2004

Head of state: George Abela, since April 2009

Head of government: Lawrence Gonzi, since March 2004, leading the Maltese Nationalist Party.

GDP (millions €): 5 758.8 (2008); 5 840.1 (forecast for 2009)

GDP per capita in PPS: € 19 200 (2008); € 19 300 (forecast for 2009)

Real growth rate of GDP: 2.5% (2008); -0.9% (forecast for 2009)

Unemployment rate: 7.0% (October 2009)

National debt as % of GDP: 64.1% (2008)

Inflation: -0,5% (October 2009)

Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -4.7% (2008)

Source: Eurostat

Links:

http://www.president.gov.mt

http://www.opm.gov.mt

http://www.gov.mt

http://www.foreign.gov.mt

http://www.parliament.gov.mt