Compare Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2006) - Malta (2001)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2006)

Malta (2001)

Administrative divisions

-

none (administered directly from Valletta)

Age structure

-

0-14 years:
19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062)

15-64 years:
67.49% (male 133,914; female 132,402)

65 years and over:
12.53% (male 20,643; female 28,771) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

-

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Airports

-

1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

-

total:
1

over 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)

Area

total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

total:
316 sq km

land:
316 sq km

water:
0 sq km

Area - comparative

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Background

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

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. Over the last 15 years, the island has become a major freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership.

Birth rate

-

12.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

-

revenues:
$1.6 billion

expenditures:
$1.73 billion, including capital expenditures of $265.4 million (1999)

Capital

-

Valletta

Climate

tropical

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Coastline

74.1 km

196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Constitution

-

1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional long form:
Republic of Malta

conventional short form:
Malta

local long form:
Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form:
Malta

Currency

-

Maltese lira (MTL)

Death rate

-

7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

-

$130 million (1997)

Dependency status

territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services

-

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador George SALIBA

embassy:
3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01

mailing address:
P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01

telephone:
[356] 235960 through 235965

FAX:
[356] 243229

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

chief of mission:
Ambassador George SALIBA

chancery:
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

FAX:
[1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s):
New York

Disputes - international

Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity

none

Economic aid - recipient

-

$NA

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. However, the island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.

Electricity - consumption

-

1.534 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

-

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

-

1.65 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

-

fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 3 m

lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Environment - current issues

NA

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - international agreements

-

party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Ethnic groups

-

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Exchange rates

-

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.4370 (January 2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996)

Executive branch

-

chief of state:
President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZE (since 4 April 1999)

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; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by NA April 2004); 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:
Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%

Exports

-

$2 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities

-

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners

-

US 21.4%, France 15.2%, Germany 12.6%, UK 9.3%, Italy 4.9% (1999)

Fiscal year

-

1 April - 31 March

Flag description

the flag of Australia is used

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the Saint George Cross, edged in red

GDP

-

purchasing power parity - $5.6 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

-

agriculture:
2.8%

industry:
25.5%

services:
71.7% (1999)

GDP - per capita

-

purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-

3.4% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

12 14 S, 123 05 E

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Geography - note

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983

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

Highways

-

total:
1,742 km

paved:
1,677 km

unpaved:
65 km (1997)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

-

lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%

Illicit drugs

-

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Imports

-

$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities

-

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco

Imports - partners

-

France 19.1%, Italy 16.7%, UK 10.9%, Germany 10.0%, US 8.5% (1999)

Independence

-

21 September 1964 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

-

NA%

Industries

-

tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Infant mortality rate

-

5.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-

2.5% (2000 est.)

International organization participation

-

C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

-

2 (2000)

Irrigated land

0 sq km

11.45 sq km (2000 est.)

Judicial branch

-

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Labor force

-

145,901 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation

-

industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)

arable land:
32%

permanent crops:
3%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
4%

other:
61% (2000 est.)

Languages

-

Maltese (official), English (official)

Legal system

the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

-

unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30

Life expectancy at birth

-

total population:
78.1 years

male:
75.64 years

female:
80.79 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

-

definition:
age 10 and over can read and write

total population:
88.76%

male:
86.91%

female:
89.55% (1995 census)

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references

Southeast Asia

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone:
25 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM

Merchant marine

-

total:
1,414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 28,191,090 GRT/46,773,603 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 443, cargo 394, chemical tanker 48, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 14, container 69, liquefied gas 2, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 296, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 18

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 1, Bermuda 1, Belgium 1, Bangladesh 2, Bulgaria 11, China 7, Costa Rica 1, Cuba 2, Cyprus 15, Denmark 1, Estonia 2, Finland 1, Germany 23, Greece 258, Hong Kong 3, Croatia 9, Hungary 1, India 2, Israel 2, Italy 17, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Latvia 2, Lithuania 1, Monaco 14, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 10, Norway 31, Poland 8, Romania 3, Russia 39, Singapore 6, Spain 3, Sweden 3, Syria 1, Switzerland 25, UAE 2, Turkey 24, UK 8, Ukraine 9, US 9, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

-

Military branches

-

Armed Forces (including land forces, an air squadron, a maritime squadron, and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

-

$201 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

-

5.5% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability

-

males age 15-49:
98,953 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

-

males age 15-49:
78,783 (2001 est.)

National holiday

-

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Nationality

-

noun:
Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Maltese

Natural hazards

surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish

limestone, salt, arable land

Net migration rate

-

2.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

People - note

the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem

-

Political parties and leaders

-

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

-

NA

Population

no indigenous inhabitants

note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.)

394,583 (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

-

NA%

Population growth rate

-

0.74% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

-

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Radio broadcast stations

-

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios

-

255,000 (1997)

Railways

-

0 km

Religions

-

Roman Catholic 91%

Sex ratio

-

at birth:
1.09 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.72 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

-

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

-

general assessment:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements

domestic:
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands

international:
2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

-

187,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

-

17,691 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

-

6 (2000)

Terrain

low with sand and coral

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs