Malta

Malta, an island nation in Southern Europe situated in the Mediterranean Sea, has a population of approximately 542,000 in an area of 316 square kilometers. Officially the Republic of Malta, it comprises an archipelago 80 kilometers south of Italy, 284 kilometers east of Tunisia, and 333 kilometers north of Libya. Valletta is the capital; Maltese and English are the two official languages. Valletta is unique among European Union capitals in terms of both area and population being the smallest. Often regarded as a city-state because of its urban features, Malta is the tenth smallest nation in the world by land and the ninth most densely populated.

Malta is among the oldest continually inhabited areas in the world; its history begins about 5900 BC. Its central Mediterranean location has traditionally given it great geostrategic value and drawn a succession of reigning governments that have molded its civilization and economy. These comprise the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans of antiquity; the Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese of the Middle Ages; and the Knights Hospitaller, French, and British in the present. Beginning in the early 19th century, Malta housed the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet under British control. Malta was a vital Allied station during World War II and suffered an extended Axis siege. The island acquired its independence in 1964 and turned into a republic in 1974. Malta has been a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since then; she joined the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2008.

The presence of several foreign kings as well as Malta’s proximity to both Europe and North Africa have permanently altered its art, music, gastronomy, and architecture. With so many people speaking or understanding Italian, especially Sicily, the nation has strong historical and cultural ties to Italy. Though the constitution provides freedom of conscience and religious practice, Malta was an early center of Christianity, and Catholicism is still the official religion.

Economically, Malta is a developed nation mostly dependent on tourism and with a high income. With its pleasant temperature, lots of leisure activities, and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—three megalithic temples, some of the oldest free-standing constructions in the world—Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, draws visitors and expats. Malta is the first in the European Union to outlaw conversion therapy and is also among the most LGBT-supportive nations in the world. Strong anti-discrimination legislation abounds in the nation as well; constitutional bans on discrimination based on handicap. Maltese law acknowledges both civil and canonical marriages under different annulment procedures. Malta decided in favour of divorce laws by national referendum in 2011.

With no exemption for rape or incest, abortion is still illegal in Malta, the only European Union member state completely banned from the operation. New laws, however, have added exceptions where the mother’s life is in danger.

Geographically, Malta is an archipelago in the middle Mediterranean with just the three biggest islands—Malta, Gozo, and Comino—occupied. On the Malta plateau, a shallow shelf created from the high points of a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa that became isolated as sea levels rose following the last ice age, the islands lay. Considered part of North Africa for millennia, the archipelago sits on the African tectonic plate. The terrain consists of low hills with terraced fields and has many coves along the indented coast to offer ideal harbors. At 253 meters close to Dingli, Ta’ Dmejrek boasts the highest peak. While there are no permanent rivers or lakes, certain watercourses have fresh water running year-round.

Malta’s Mediterranean climate results in warm winters and hot summers, hotter in the inland sections. Mostly in autumn and winter, rainfall comes; summer is usually dry. Daytime average temperature is about 23°C and nighttime average temperature is 15.5°C. With daily temperatures in January and February between 15 and 16°C, Valletta, the capital, has the mildest winters among European cities. Although the average annual sea temperature is 20°C, August boasts the warmest waters. With almost 3,000 hours of sunlight annually, the island boasts high relative humidity and plenty of sunshine.

With a population of around 400,000 and the main urban region spanning the whole main island, Malta is clearly urban. Valletta is the larger city; its population is 205,768; the metropolitan area spans the whole island with 480,134. Often described as a city-state, Malta is among the most densely populated nations in the world.

Malta’s economy is categorized as advanced; its main resources include limestone, a suitable topography, and a working population. The nation has inadequate fresh water supplies, and only roughly 20 percent of its food needs are produced here. Foreign commerce, industry, and tourism all support the economy. Furthermore, helping the economy is film production. Malta has advanced greatly in financial services, drawn gaming companies, registered ships and planes, and handled investment management. Rising prices in locations including St Julian’s, Sliema, and Gzira indicate that the property market—particularly near the harbour—has witnessed notable expansion.

With millions of visitors yearly, Malta’s GDP is mostly derived from tourism. Although no Maltese facility has gone under independent international healthcare certification, the nation has actively pushed itself as a medical tourism destination. With remarkable Neolithic buildings, Roman mosaics, and medieval frescoes, Malta’s architecture captures its varied cultural inspirations. Currently undergoing many major construction projects, the island is seeing renovations at places like Tigné Point and the Valletta Waterfront.

Along with English, Spanish, Maghrebin, and Provençal characteristics, Maltese food has considerable Sicilian and Italian inspirations. Traditional foods like fenkata, stewed or fried rabbit, significantly enhance national identity. With native grape varietals like Girgentina and Ġellewża, Malta also boasts a thriving wine business. Like those in Southern Italy, local celebrations of marriages, christenings, and saints’ days feature religious processions, band marches, pyrotechnics, and late-night parties. Celebrated in several parishes on August 15 and the following Sunday, the Assumption of Mary is the biggest festa.