Malta

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Republic of Malta
Repubblika ta' Malta
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: L-Innu Malti  
The Maltese Anthem
Location of  Malta  (dark green)– on the European continent  (green & dark grey)– in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Malta  (dark green)

– on the European continent  (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]

Capital Valletta
35°53′N 14°30′E / 35.883°N 14.5°E / 35.883; 14.5
Largest city Birkirkara 35° 53′ 48″ N, 14° 27′ 45″ E
Official languages Maltese, English
Ethnic groups (2007) Maltese 95.3%, British 1.6%, other 3.1%[1]
Religion Roman Catholicism
Demonym Maltese
Government Parliamentary Republic
 -  President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
 -  Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
Independence
 -  from the United Kingdom 21 September 1964 
 -  Republic 13 December 1974 
Area
 -  Total 316 km2 (200th)
121 sq mi
 -  Water (%) 0.001
Population
 -  2010 estimate 417,608 Increase[2] (171st)
 -  2007 census 410,567[3]1
 -  Density 1,306.8/km2 (7th)
3,413.9/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $10.405 billion[4]
 -  Per capita $24,792[4]
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $8.288 billion[4]
 -  Per capita $19,746[4]
HDI (2011) Increase 0.832[5]
very high · 36th
Currency Euro ()2 (EUR)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 -  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Drives on the left
Calling code 356
Internet TLD .mt 3
1 Total population includes foreign residents. Maltese residents population estimate at end 2004 was 389,769. All official population data provided by the NSO.[6]
2Before 2008: Maltese lira
3 Also .eu, shared with other European Union member states.

Malta is an island country in Europe. It is near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. The capital of Malta is Valletta. About 400,000 people live in Malta. Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Because of this, it has many cities and towns that grew into each other over time. The largest of these is possibly Birkirkara.

Language[change | change source]

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. A majority of the people of Malta can speak the two languages.

Money[change | change source]

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[change | change source]

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

Malta became well known as the base of the Knights of St John. They moved to Malta after being forced to leave Palestine and then Rhodes, in Greece. The knights and the Maltese people survived a great attack by the Turks. 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 English Royal Navy to come to the island. This lead to 200 years as a British colony and independent Commonwealth member.

During the Second World War, Malta was again 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 | change source]

Other websites[change | change source]