KEY FACTS
Joined Commonwealth: 1964
Population: 428,000 (2012)
GDP p.c. growth: 2.4% p.a. 1990–2012
UN HDI 2012: world ranking 32
Official languages: Maltese, English
Time: GMT plus 1–2hr
Currency: Euro (€)
Geography
Area: 316 sq km
Coastline: 253 km
Capital: Valletta
The Republic of Malta comprises an archipelago of six islands and islets in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of Sicily and 290 km from the coast of North Africa. Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited; the other islands are Cominotto, Filfla and St Paul’s Island.
Main towns:
Valletta (capital, pop. 6,700 in 2010, greater Valletta includes Birkirkara, Qormi, Zabbar, San Gwann, Sliema, Marsascala, Fgura, Zejtun and Hamrun), Birkirkara (20,700), Mosta (19,300), San Pawl il-Bahar (17,400), Qormi (15,600), Zabbar (14,500), Naxxar (12,900), San Gwann (12,800), Sliema (12,500), Marsascala (12,000), Zebbug (11,400), Fgura (11,200), Zejtun (11,100), Rabat (10,500), Hamrun (8,500) and Victoria (on Gozo, also known as Rabat, 6,200).
Society
KEY FACTS 2012
Population per sq km: 1,354
Life expectancy: 80 years
Net primary enrolment: 81% (2011)
Education:
Public spending on education was seven per cent of GDP in 2010. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at the age of five. Primary school comprises six years and secondary seven, with cycles of five and two years. The numerous church schools are subsidised by the government. Some 80 per cent of pupils complete primary school (2008). The school year starts in September. Courses at the University of Malta (founded 1592 as the Jesuits’ College) include architecture, arts, diplomatic studies, education, engineering, law, medicine, sciences and theology. G F Abela Junior College (University of Malta) was established at Msida (greater Valletta) in 1995 to provide two-year pre-university courses. Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology offers a very wide range of vocational and professional education, with its main campus at Paola (greater Valletta). The International Maritime Law Institute is based in Malta. The female–male ratio for gross enrolment in tertiary education is 1.40:1 (2010). Literacy among people aged 15–24 is 98 per cent (2005).
