Malta

**Malta** || Information and Data || Interpretation ||
 * Country Name
 * Location, Territory and Neighbours || Southern European country, island in the middle of the Mediterranean, near: Sicily, Tunisia, Libya, and Alexandria.

316 sq km. || One of the world's smallest states, influenced heavily by European nations but also slightly by Africa ||
 * Political environment Format of government || Government type: Republic

Queen: George Abela Prime Minister: Lawrence Gonzi

- Elected my majority - Presidential term of 5 years - World's second highest voting turnout || Republic with a very democratic attitude, population is consistently happy with elections and are highly participant. || - Part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with 32 other countries - Important resource: Limestone - Film production is a growing source of income - Loads of profit come from shipping and it's ports
 * Economic situation || - Advanced economy

GDP: $10.83 billion || Lack of food and fresh water -- importing is important Government invests heavily in education Tourism is also a large part of the economy (3x more tourists visit than there are residents) Over development and destruction of traditional housing is a growing concern. Main part of economy: Tourism || Commodities: Machinery, mechanical appliances, mineral fuels, oils and products; pharmaceutical products; printed books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft parts; toys, games, and sports requisites
 * Natural resources, main trading partners, economic interests || **Exports:** $5.204 billion (2011)

**Imports:** $3.028 billion (2011) Commodities: @http://www.indexmundi.com/trade/imports/?country=mt

Trading Partners: Libya and other neighboring countries || Requires many resources and is in a location that is surrounded by prospering nations, however also makes use of shipping channels available and therefore exports many resources || 68.1% - 15 to 64 years 16.5% - 65+ years
 * Social composition || 15.4% - 0 to 14 years

Population: 409,836 (2012) Population growth rate: 0. 359 % (2012) Rate of Urbanization: 0.5% annually, 95% of total population are urbanized

- 6.4% unemployment - World's 2nd highest turnout for elections || Social age gap is slip rather evenly, population growth is small but could lead to over population in the small country, especially with the increasing number of tourists entering. || 1869: Opening of Suez Canal gave a large economic boost 1887: Majority of representative in government were elected 1919: People rioted 1921-33: People had large political unrest 1947: New constitution was written after WWII with money 1964: Finally gained independence (Queen was head of State) 1974: Became a republic 1979: Last British servicemen left the country 2004: Malta joined the EU 2008: Joined the Euro 2011: People voted to allow divorce ||  || Small but should have say in matters ||
 * Recent history or history that defines current opinion and culture || 1814: European powers recognize Malta as a British colony
 * Recent conflicts or unresolved border disputes. Any other disputes? || No major disputes of unresolved conflicts currently preceding. || Nothing major going on right now, doesn’t really affect anything. ||
 * Membership of various organizations || * UN security council
 * European Nation
 * PfP (Partnership for Peace)
 * OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
 * WTO (World Trade Organization)
 * Council of Europe
 * OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) || Many acquaintances and a part of several very influential organizations
 * Treaties and Agreements || * Treaty of Paris: Allows European powers to recognize Malta as a British colony though independent || There have not been many treaties that have large relevance to the country recently, but they should continue to sign and make allies instead of abstaining ||