The Maltese flag was supposedly based on an 11th-century coat of arms, and a red flag with a white cross was used by the Knights of Malta from the Middle Ages. The current flag dates from independence within the Commonwealth (Sept. 21, 1964). The George Cross was granted by the British for the heroic defense of the island in World War II.

Malta Official name: Repubblika ta' Malta (Republic of Malta). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (House of Representatives [65]). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 377,000. Population projection: (2000) 382,000; (2010) 393,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 4.7 (world avg. 15.7). Gross domestic product (1995): U.S.$3,241,600,000 (U.S.$8,712 per capita). Land use (1994): agricultural and under permanent cultivation 40.6%; other (infertile clay soil with underlying limestone) 59.4%.

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