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Malta Facts |
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Background
After the reign of the Knights and two years under French rule, Great Britain
formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunch- A decade
later Malta became a republic. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed
itself into a freight transshipment point, a finanly supported the UK through
both World Wars and remained in the Malta became an EU member in Commonwealth
when it became May of 2004. independent in 1964.
Geography Notes
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 harbours; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial
exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly
for oil exploration.
Geographical Facts
Location : Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, 100 km south
of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic Coordinates : 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Area : Total : 316 sq km ; Land: 316 sq km ; Inland Water: 0 sq km
Coastline : 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo )
Maritime Claims : 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 : Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
General Facts
Population : 396,851 (July 2004 est.)
Religions : Roman Catholic 98%
Languages : Maltese (official), English (official )
Government Type
Republic, EU Member
Capital : Valletta
Independence : 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National Holiday : Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Political & Economical Facts
Constitution : 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December ;
1974 and again in 1987
Legal System : based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Head of state : President Edward FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April 2004)
Head of government : Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI
Cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
Economy 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
Industries : tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction;
food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Currency : Maltese lira (MTL)
Port & Harbours : Marsaxlokk, Valletta, Mgarr (Gozo)
EU Membership
On 9 April 2003, the European Parliament approved by an overwhelming majority
the accession to the EU of 10 new Member States. This opened the door for
Malta to become a full member of the Union on the 1st May 2004. From that
day on, Malta has officially taken its seat in European institutions and
has five fully - fledged members in the European Parliament . (source :
www.europarl.eu.int)
Average Temperatures
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Sunshine Hours |
5.46 |
6.36 |
7.33 |
8.46 |
9.99 |
11.23 |
12.15 |
11.36 |
9.00 |
7.22 |
6.50 |
5.20 |
| Rainfall (mm) |
90.1 |
60.8 |
44.7 |
24.0 |
8.9 |
3.87 |
0.9 |
8.8 |
40.4 |
123.6 |
76.8 |
100.2 |
Temp °C
Max - Min |
15.1
-9.5 |
15.3
-9.3 |
16.5
-10.2 |
18.8
-11.9 |
23.1
-15.1 |
27.4
-18.6 |
30.2
-21.2 |
30.6
-21.8 |
27.8
-20.4 |
23.8
-17.2 |
20.0
-13.9 |
16.6
-11.1 |
| Sea °C |
14.5 |
14.5 |
14.5 |
16.1 |
18.4 |
21.1 |
24.5 |
25.6 |
25 |
22.2 |
19.5 |
16.7 |
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