Largest city (est. 1990): Sliema, 13,541

Area: 122 sq. mi. (320 sq. km)

Monetary unit: Maltese lira

Religion: Roman Catholic, 98%

Languages: Maltese & English (both official)

Ethnicity/race: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock), Spanish, English, Arab

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (1997 est.): $4.9 billion; $12,900 per capita. 

Real growth rate: 2.8%

Inflation: 2.3% (1997)

Arable land: 38%.

Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, pork, milk, poultry, eggs.

Industries: tourism, electronics, shipbuilding and repair, construction, food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco.

Unemployment: 3.7% (Sept. 1996) 

Major trading partners: Germany, Italy, U.K., U.S.