Malta

Republic of Malta Repubblika ta' Malta  (Maltese)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: L-Innu Malti The Maltese Hymn
Location of  Malta  (Green circle) – on the European continent  (light green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (light green)  —  [Legend]
Capital	Valletta 35°54′N 14°31′E
Largest city	Birkirkara
Official languages	Maltese (also in national language) English
Common languages	Italian (66% conversational)
Sign language	Maltese Sign Language
Demonym(s)	Maltese
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• President	Myriam Spiteri Debono
• Prime Minister	Robert Abela
• Speaker	Angelo Farrugia
• Chief Justice	Mark Chetcuti
Legislature	House of Representatives
Independence  from the United Kingdom
• Commonwealth realm	21 September 1964
• Republic	13 December 1974
Area
• Total	316 km2 (122 sq mi) (186th)
• Water (%)	0.001
Population
• 2014 estimate	445,426 (171st)
• 2011 census	416,055
• Density	1,410/km2 (3,651.9/sq mi) (7th)
GDP (PPP)	2017 estimate
• Total	$18.404 billion
• Per capita	$42,239
GDP (nominal)	2017 estimate
• Total	$11.164 billion
• Per capita	$25,623
Gini (2014)	27.7 low · 15th
HDI (2015)	0.856 very high · 33rd
Currency	Euro (€10000ll) (EUR)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+356
ISO 3166 code	MT
Internet TLD	.mt
Website www.gov.mt
^ Maltese nationals as referred to in the 2011 census. ^ Maltese lira before 2008. ^ Also .eu, shared with other European Union member states.

Malta is a country in Southern Europe, and a member of the European Union. It is an island near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. Although it is geologically located on the African Plate, Malta is recognized as a European country. The capital of Malta is Valletta. Around 500,000 people live in Malta and it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta is 316 sq km, which makes it one of the smallest countries. Its many cities and towns grew close to each other over time.

Language

Maltese is the national language of Malta. It is a Semitic language similar to the Maghrebi Dialects of North Africa, with a high amount of influence from Romance languages, in particular Italian, and more recently English. Maltese and English are the official languages in line with the constitution of the country. A majority of the people of Malta can speak three languages; Maltese, English and Italian.

Money

Malta had its own currency, called the Maltese Lira until 2008. The Maltese Lira was better known as the Maltese Pound because of the strong links to the United Kingdom. One Maltese Lira consisted of 100 cents. In 2008 Malta joined the Euro countries in adopting the Euro as the National Currency.

History

People have lived in Malta since at least 5200 BC. The island has some key archaeological sites dating from early times.

Malta became well known as the base of the Knights Hospitaller. They moved to Malta after being forced to leave Palestine and then Rhodes, in Greece. In 1565 they survived a great attack by the Ottoman Empire. The history of the knights at Malta continued the strong Roman Catholic beliefs in the country that were started by the Norman and Spanish rulers.

In 1798, Napoleon took control of Malta. The French rule was not popular and in 1800 Maltese rebels invited the British Royal Navy to come to the island. This led to 200 years as a British colony and independent Commonwealth member.

During World War II, Malta was attacked this time by the Axis forces. The entire island was symbolically given the George Cross for heroism.

Malta became independent in 1964 and a republic in 1974. In 2004 Malta joined the European Union and in 2008 Malta joined the Euro.

Other websites

• Maltese Relocation and Travel Guide
• Malta travel guide and information Archived 2010-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
• Malta Wiki - Malta Popular Encyclopedia Archived 2020-11-24 at the Wayback Machine
• Malta holidays and hotels
• Malta travel guide
• Malta Archived 2007-09-09 at the Wayback Machine
• Malta Travel Guide Archived 2009-09-09 at the Wayback Machine