Malta: Introduction

Malta is a southern European country and consists of an archipelago. It is situated centrally in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, Italy. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a target for immigration. The government system is a republic. The chief of state is the President and the head of government is the Prime Minister. Malta has a mixed economic system in which the economy includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Malta is a member of the European Union (EU).