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Malta
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AN ISLAND country, Malta (马耳他) is located in the central Mediterranean Sea 93 km south of Sicily (西西里岛).
Covering an area of 321 sqkm, the country consists of five islands--Malta (the largest), Gozo, and Comino, which are inhabited, and the uninhabited islands of Cominotto and Filfla.
The capital and chief port is Valletta (瓦莱塔), located on the island of Malta.
The Mediterranean climate provides hot and dry summers, cool rainy winters, and an absence of snow, frost and fog.
Malta has no permanent rivers or lakes, and natural vegetation is sparse (稀少). About half of the total land is cultivated, but because of poor soils, productivity is low.
Tourism is now a major industry and source of foreign exchange. Construction and the repair of ships is also vital to the economy. Other industries include food processing, winemaking, and the manufacture of textiles, garments and leather footwear.
Malta has about 1,300 km of all-weather roads. There are no railways.
The Maltese people have a high standard of living. Hospitalization and some health services are free in public institutions.
The population is of mixed Italian, Arab, Turkish, Greek, and British ethnic origin. Population (1997 estimate) is about 386,000. Both English and Maltese are official languages.
The University of Malta is the only institution of higher learning.(SD-Agencies)
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