Malta

Full name: Republic of Malta

Population: 418,000 (UN, 2011)

Capital: Valletta

Area: 316 sq km (122 sq miles)

Major languages: Maltese, English

Major religion: Christianity

Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: Euro from 1 January 2008

Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment

GNI per capita: US $19,270 (World Bank, 2010)

Internet domain: .mt

International dialling code: +356

The Maltese archipelago includes the islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto and Filfla.

Located south of the Italian island of Sicily between Europe and North Africa, it has been occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and latterly France and Britain.

Independence from Britain was achieved in 1964, after the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross for defending the island during World War II.

Forty years on Malta was the smallest of the 10 countries to join the EU in May 2004. It joined the eurozone in 2008.

Since becoming an EU member, the tiny island has reported an increasing problem with immigration from north Africa and has requested more help to deal with it. The UN refugee agency has criticised the island's policy of keeping asylum seekers in detention for 18 months.

Over the centuries, Malta's strategic position fostered its development as an important trading post and it remains a leading centre for container and freight transhipment.

Malta is a popular holiday destination and tourism is the nation's main source of income.

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