Malta is located in the middle of the Mediterranean, between Sicily and Africa, and is Europe’s southernmost state. The historical monuments, the fascinating rocky landscape, the beaches and not least the pleasant climate are all reasons why the country has become a popular tourist destination.
| Capital: | Valletta |
| Biggest city: | Birkirkara |
| State: | republic within the EU |
| Language: | Maltese, English |
| Religion: | catholicism |
| Surface: | 316 km² |
| Population: | 411,300 (2013) |
| Population density: | 1,282 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 79 years |
| Illiteracy: | 7% |
| Currency: | euro (EUR) 1 euro = 9.76 kr |
| GDP per capita: | $ 23,700 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +0 hours |
| Electricity: | 240 V AC, 50 Hz |
| National Day: | September 21st |
| Country area code: | 356 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | MT (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | administration 37%, service sector 26%, crafts 22%, education program 9%, construction industry 4%, agriculture 2% |
| Climate: | temperate; mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers |
Malta is a microsat and the EU’s smallest member state. The island nation consists of the three islands Malta, Gozo and Comino, as well as a couple of smaller uninhabited rocky islands. The residents are called Maltese and are a mixed people with elements mainly Arabs and Italians. There is also a small British minority.
The three inhabited islands are fairly flat, with the exception of the main island of Malta, which here and there exhibits a gently undulating coastal landscape. The coastal cliffs, especially in the east, are magnificent. The main island is also the largest and most densely populated island. Here, the capital Valetta is located on a cliff between two harbor basins. Malta’s other major cities are also located here.
Malta has many attractions for those interested in archeology, art and architecture. The cities of Valletta, Sliema and Vittoriosa are enclosed by fortifications and house stately palaces and churches from the time of the Order of St. John on the island. The oldest order capital, Mdina, is located inland and has an unbroken Renaissance and Baroque environment.
The James Bond film “Beloved Spy” is partly filmed in Malta. The same goes for the movies “The Da Vinci Code”, “Gladiator” and “Midnight Express”. “Knight Falcon from Malta” with Humphrey Bogart is about a bird figurine from Malta, but actually takes place in the USA. The film is based on Dashiell Hammett’s detective story “The Maltese Falcon” from 1929, and has been filmed on a total of three occasions.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Malta are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- City of Valletta (1980)
- Megalith Temples (1980)
- Safal Saflieni, hypogeum (1980)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Malta
Voltage: 240 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: G
Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Valletta
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 29 |
| Day °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 17 |
| Night °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 11 |
| Rain (mm) | 90 | 60 | 40 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 80 | 90 | 110 |
| Rainy days | 17 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 19 |
| Soltim / day | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Valletta
According to Countryaah, Valletta is located on the island of Malta and the capital of the republic of the same name. The city has 7,491 residents (2005).
Valletta was founded by the leader of the Order of St. John Jean Parisot de la Valette in 1566, when the order that had long ruled the island chose to found a new city on the Scebberra Peninsula just after the end of the Maltese siege. This is to strengthen the position of the word in Malta. The city was designed by Francesco Lapparelli, and many important buildings were built by Gerolamo Cassar.
The next building boom in Valletta occurred under British rule. Then gates were widened, buildings were demolished and rebuilt, houses were widened and public institutions opened. However, the entire city was damaged by bombers during World War II, including the destruction of the city’s opera house, which was built at the city’s entrance in the 19th century. The city contains many historic cafes, meeting places, restaurants, banks, hotels and government buildings. There are also public gardens that offer views of, among other things, the city’s harbor.
The city contains several buildings of historical interest, the most significant being St John’s Co-Cathedral. Other important sites are the Prime Minister’s main building “Castille Place”, the city wall built by the Order of St. John, the Parliament House and the National Art Museum.
Valletta’s population has declined over the years, and now stands at about a third of its maximum. This process accelerated considerably after World War II, when new suburbs were built and people moved away from the capital. However, the city is still Malta’s commercial and administrative center.
In 1980, the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.