Part 465

Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,925,205 males fit for military service: 1,100,599 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 2.2% of GDP (1994)

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@Malta -----

Map ---

Location: 35 50 N, 14 35 E -- Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Flag ----

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

Geography ---------

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

Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total area: 320 sq km land area: 320 sq km comparative area: less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 140 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m

Natural resources: limestone, salt

Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 59%

Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989)

Environment: current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification

Geographic note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors

People ------

Population: 375,576 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 42,067; female 39,958) 15-64 years: 67% (male 126,179; female 125,321) 65 years and over: 11% (male 17,766; female 24,285) (July 1996 est.)