Malta

Repubblika ta’ Malta

Political Status: Became independent within the Commonwealth on September 21, 1964; republic declared by constitutional amendment on December 13, 1974.

Area: 122 sq. mi. (316 sq. km).

Population: 432,981 (2012E—UN); 409,836 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers (2005E): VALLETTA (7,100), Birkirkara (22,600), Sliema (12,700).

Official Languages: Maltese, English; Italian is also widely spoken.

Monetary Unit: Euro (market rate November 5, 2012: 0.78 euro = $1US). The euro became Malta’s official currency on January 1, 2008, at a fixed rate of 1 euro = 0.4293 Maltese lira.

President: George ABELA (Malta Labour Party); elected on April 1, 2009, to a five-year term by the House of Representatives and sworn in on April 4, succeeding Edward (Eddie) FRENCH ADAMI (Nationalist Party). (Presidents resign from their parties upon election.)

Prime Minister: Lawrence ...