Malta
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.[8] Its many cities and towns grew close to each other over time.
Republic of Malta Repubblika ta' Malta (Maltese) | |
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 Coat of arms
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| 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]](/wiki/File:EU-Malta.svg) Location of Malta (Green circle) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) | |
| Capital | Valletta 35°54′N 14°31′E / 35.900°N 14.517°E |
| Largest city | Birkirkara |
| Official languages |
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| Common languages | Italian (66% conversational) |
| Sign language | Maltese Sign Language |
| Demonym(s) | Maltese |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
| Myriam Spiteri Debono | |
| Robert Abela | |
• Speaker | Angelo Farrugia |
| Mark Chetcuti | |
| Legislature | House of Representatives |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
| 21 September 1964 | |
• Republic | 13 December 1974 |
| Area | |
• Total | 316[1] km2 (122 sq mi) (186th) |
• Water (%) | 0.001 |
| Population | |
• 2014 estimate | 445,426[2] (171st) |
• 2011 census | 416,055[3] |
• Density | 1,410[3]/km2 (3,651.9/sq mi) (7th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $18.404 billion[4] |
• Per capita | $42,239[4] |
| GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $11.164 billion[4] |
• Per capita | $25,623[4] |
| Gini (2014) |  27.7[5]low · 15th |
| HDI (2015) |  0.856[6]very high · 33rd |
| Currency | Euro (€10000ll)[b] (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[c] |
Website www.gov.mt | |
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Language
changeMaltese 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
changeMalta 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
changePeople 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.
Notes
change- ↑ Zammit, Andre (1986). "Valletta and the system of human settlements in the Maltese Islands". Ekistics. 53 (316/317). Athens Center of Ekistics: 89–95. JSTOR 43620704.
- ↑ "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Census 2011. National Statistics Office, Malta
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Malta". International Monetary Fund.
- ↑ "Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income (source: SILC)". Eurostat Data Explorer. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ↑ "2016 Human Development Report". United Nations Development Programme. 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ↑ Lesley, Anne Rose (15 April 2009). Frommer's Malta and Gozo Day by Day. John Wiley & Sons. p. 139. ISBN 978-0470746103.
- ↑ "Malta". CIA Factbook. 4 March 2022.
Other websites
change- 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
