Head of state: Grand Duke Henri Prime minister: Jean-Claude Juncker
President: George Abela Prime minister: Lawrence Gonzi
Population
509,074
409,836
Life Expectancy
79.750 years
79.850 years
Capital City
Luxembourg
Valletta
Largest city
Luxembourg (population: 76,684)
Birkirkara (population: 21,676)
Human Development Index
0.956
0.894
GDP per capita
$81,100 US
$25,800 US
Literacy Rate
100%
92.8%
Corruption Perception Index
8.3
5.8
Percentage of Women in Parliament
23.3%
8.7%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
5.900%
6.400%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Abolished
Political System
constitutional monarchy
republic
Independence date
1839 (from the Netherlands)
21 September 1964 (from UK)
Religions
Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)
Roman Catholic 98%
Languages
Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)
Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Exports
machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
External Debt
$2,146,000,000,000 $
$48,790,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6494 (2008 est.), 0.6795 (January 2008), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
0.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Europe, between France and Germany
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Area
2,586 km sq
316 km sq
Coastline
0 km
197 km
Climate
modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
