Malta

Fact Sheet :

- Area : 316 sq km

- Population : 401,880 (July 2007 est.)

- Capital : Valletta

- Languages : Maltese (official), English (official)

- Currency : Maltese lira (MTL)

- Government type : republic

- Elements of History :

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 become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May of 2004.

- Climate :

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers