Population: 394,583 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)

Background: 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. Over the last 15...

Currency: Maltese Lira (MTL, MTL (3.28 = US$1))

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.