• Capital -- Valletta
• Population -- 400,214
• Language -- Maltese
• GDP per capita($) -- 19,900
• Currency -- Maltese lira (MTL)
• Year Joined EU -- 2004

• GDP($) -- 8,411,000,000
• GDP per capita($) -- 19,900
• GDP growth rate(%) -- 1.00
• Inflation(%) -- 3.00
• Unemployment(%) -- 7.80
• Imports($) -- 3,859,000,000
• Exports($) -- 2,744,000,000
• Military Spending($) -- 44,640,000
• Military Spending (% of GDP) -- 1.00

• Land Area (sq. km) -- 316
• slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
• Population growth rate(%) -- 0.42
• Infant Mortality (deaths per 1,000 live births) -- 3.86
• Life Expectancy -- 79.01
• Poverty --
• Migration -- 2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 pop

• ---

  * all data/material from the CIA World Fact Book 2006

Malta

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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.

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.