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Malta

Malta

Capital:Valletta
Population:406,771
Currency:Euros (EUR)
Language:Maltese (official), English (official)
Marsaxlokk harbour, Malta

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Malta.

Malta Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

The Maltese are known for their hospitality, and generosity. The family is of great importance, and children stay in close contact with the grand-parents. Maltese do not easily tolerate alternative lifestyles. Due to the size of the islands, privacy is rare and it is impossible to be anonymous. Networking oils the wheels of social interaction and resource-sharing. The warm climate ensures that people go out to the piazza to socialize. Strong rivalry between villages can lead to heated exchanges over politics, soccer or village saints.

Cultural Attributes

The Maltese are known for their hospitality, and generosity. The family is of great importance, and children stay in close contact with the grand-parents. Networking oils the wheels of social interaction and resource-sharing. Due to the size of the islands, privacy is rare. The warm climate ensures that people go out to the piazza to socialize.

Marsaxlokk harbour, Malta

Island of Honey, Harbor of History

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Religious and professional titles are used. People from a rural area may pat one another on the back, shoulder or arm in a friendly gesture.

There are many factors in the way people greet each other. These include gender, how well they know each other, social status and age. Formal greetings begin and end with a hand-shake.

Going out to socialize is a favorite activity for most Maltese. It is polite to arrange a visit in advance.

Style and quality of clothing define social status. The Maltese follow European fashions. People pay attention to hairstyle, and avoid being sloppy or untidy, even in informal settings. Dress code usually applies in the service, business and professional sectors, and even in the blue collar sector.

Men often wear a cap, and women dress in dark-colored skirts. School children also wear uniform, though they dress in bright colors at home and on weekends. Older people wear traditional clothing.

Diet

The Maltese diet combines Italian and British cuisine. Breakfast ranges from cereal, toast and tea to full fired breakfast. Roast turkey, baked vegetables, fruit cakes are common at Christmas. The majority of dishes are Mediterranean, with tomatoes, onion and garlic. Fresh bread accompanies every meal, and pasta dishes are served either as entrée or main meal. Fish is on the menu frequently, including aljotta or fish chowder. Pastry is often filled with cheese and spinach as well as anchovies. Many pastries reflect the Arabic heritage, including the almond filled desserts.

The Maltese eat in continental manner, with a fork in the left hand and knife in one's right hand. Hands are kept above the table. After finishing, the utensils and placed parallel on the plate and the person waits till others have finished. Most families like to eat together, depending on school and work commitments. Breakfast and lunch are light meals, with lunch consisting of sandwiches and salad. Dinner is the main meal, usually eaten between 6 and 8 PM. Snacks are common in the mid-morning or afternoon, taken with tea or coffee. In the summer, picnics are common near the sea. In tea shops, cafes and clubs, people eat Maltese sandwiches and pastizzi.

The Maltese diet combines Italian and British cuisine. Breakfast ranges from cereal, toast and tea to full fired breakfast. Roast turkey, baked vegetables, fruit cakes are common at Christmas. The majority of dishes are Mediterranean, with tomatoes, onion and garlic. Fresh bread accompanies every meal, and pasta dishes are served either as entrée or main meal. Fish is on the menu frequently, including aljotta or fish chowder. Pastry is often filled with cheese and spinach as well as anchovies. Many pastries reflect the Arabic heritage, including the almond filled desserts.

On the bus in Malta

Family

The man is the head of the family, but women often exercise power in home. For example, women usually control the family budget. Children often remain at home till they marry, and young people seldom live on their own. Parents often help their children acquire a car or house.

Malta has a relatively low rate of female workplace participation, but more women are seeking employment.

Dating Customs

Dating starts between age fourteen and sixteen, but are only 'going steady' when parents have been formally introduced. Engagements usually comprise of sharing rings and a family dinner. Engagements can last a long time. Marriage usually takes place when the couple have saved enough to live independently. Most do not live together before marriage.

Weddings are very special events, with a fancy dinner followed by a religious Mass. The bride's parents generally pay for the wedding expenses.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport in Malta.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/21

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • September 21st

How do people greet each other in Malta?

Formal greetings begin and end with a handshake, and religious and professional titles are used. How people greet depends on gender, familiarity, social status and age.

Do

  • Use religious and professional titles when addressing people
  • Begin and end formal greetings with a handshake

Good to know

  • People from rural areas may pat one another on the back, shoulder or arm as a friendly gesture

What are dining customs like in Malta?

The Maltese eat continental style, with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right, keeping hands above the table. Dinner is the main meal, usually eaten between 6 and 8 PM, while breakfast and lunch are light.

Do

  • Keep your hands above the table while eating
  • Place utensils parallel on the plate when finished
  • Wait until others have finished eating

Good to know

  • Fresh bread accompanies every meal and pasta may be served as entrée or main
  • Fish dishes like aljotta (fish chowder) are common
  • Try Maltese sandwiches and pastizzi at tea shops, cafes and clubs
  • Summer picnics near the sea are common

What social etiquette should I know in Malta?

The Maltese are hospitable and generous, and socializing in the piazza is a favorite activity. Networking is important, and privacy is rare given the small size of the islands.

Do

  • Arrange a visit in advance before dropping by

Don’t

  • Don't expect anonymity or much privacy on the islands
  • Don't assume alternative lifestyles are easily tolerated

Good to know

  • Strong village rivalries can spark heated exchanges over politics, soccer or village saints

How should I dress in Malta?

The Maltese follow European fashions, and style and quality of clothing signal social status. People pay attention to grooming and avoid looking sloppy or untidy, even informally.

Do

  • Dress neatly and avoid looking untidy, even in informal settings
  • Follow dress codes in service, business, professional and even blue-collar sectors

Good to know

  • Older people wear traditional clothing; men often wear a cap and women dark-colored skirts

What is family life like in Malta?

Family is of great importance, with children staying in close contact with grandparents and often living at home until they marry. The man is head of the family, though women often control the household budget.

Good to know

  • Parents often help children acquire a car or house
  • Young people seldom live on their own before marriage

What do people do for recreation in Malta?

Soccer is the most popular sport in Malta.

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Malta

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
The climate is subtropical in the summer, temperate the rest of the year, with occasional fog and rare frosts. Temperatures range from 35°F in winter to 95°F in summer, with brief periods above 100°F in August and early September. The driest months are May and July. Annual rainfall averages 19-22 inches, but fluctuates to less than 10 inches. The rains are heaviest from November to January and ease off slightly in February and March. Summer is hot and humid, with almost cloudless skies. The "scirocco," a warm humid southeast wind, occurs in spring and from mid-September to mid-October. The "gregale," a cold wind from the east and northeast in the winter, occasionally reaches gale forces of 70 miles per hour. Winter is chilly and damp with occasional heavy downpours, but also with many fine sunny days.
Airports
1
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Imqaret (Date-filled Snack)

Dessert

Browse all 6 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Prehistoric & Phoenician

    5000 BCE – 218 BCE

    Malta's earliest inhabitants erected the Ggantija and Hagar Qim temple complexes around 3600–2500 BCE, predating the monuments of Sumer and Egypt and marking the island as a major centre of earth-mother worship. The Phoenicians subsequently established trading ports, followed by Carthaginian settlers who integrated Malta into Mediterranean commerce. This era laid the linguistic and cultural substratum that would shape Maltese identity for millennia.

  2. Roman & Byzantine

    218 BCE – 870

    Malta entered the Roman sphere during the Second Punic War in 218 BCE and eventually gained municipium status under Emperor Hadrian. In 60 CE, Saint Paul was shipwrecked at what is now St. Paul's Bay, an event that initiated the island's enduring Christian identity. Following Rome's division, Malta passed to the Byzantine Empire in 533 CE, remaining under Constantinople's administration until the Arab invasion of 870.

  3. Arab & Norman Rule

    870 – 1530

    Aglabid Arabs from Tunisia conquered Malta in 870, leaving a profound imprint on the Maltese language, agriculture, and customs that persists to the present day. In 1091 the Norman adventurer Count Roger of Hauteville expelled Arab authority, attaching Malta to his kingdom of Sicily; the final expulsion of the Arab population followed in 1224. For the next three centuries Malta was passed among the feudal lords of Swabia, Aragon, Castile, and Spain, functioning largely as a peripheral dependency of Sicily.

  4. Knights of St. John

    1530 – 1798

    In 1530 Charles V granted sovereignty of Malta to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, who transformed the islands into a formidable Christian bastion. The Order's finest hour came during the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights and the Maltese population repelled the vast Ottoman forces of Suleiman the Magnificent after months of fierce combat. The Knights founded Valletta in 1566, endowing the island with magnificent baroque palaces, churches, and fortifications before their peaceful capitulation to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798.

  5. British Colonial Era

    1798 – 1964

    After a brief and resisted French occupation, Malta voluntarily joined the British Empire in 1814, becoming the headquarters of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet and a strategically vital imperial fortress. During World War II the island endured relentless Axis bombardment between 1940 and 1943; King George VI awarded Malta the George Cross in 1942 in recognition of its extraordinary collective resistance. The postwar period saw growing demands for self-governance, culminating in independence on September 21, 1964.

  6. Independent Republic

    1964 – present

    Malta became a republic on December 13, 1974, and the last British forces departed in March 1979, completing full sovereignty. The island transitioned from a military economy to a diversified one built on freight transshipment, financial services, and tourism from the mid-1980s onward. Accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004 marked Malta's integration into the broader European political and economic community.

Overview

Malta was an important cultic center for earth-mother worship in the 4th millennium B.C. Recent archeological work shows a developed religious center there long before those of Sumer and Egypt. Malta’s written history began well before the Christian era. Originally the Phoenicians, and later the Carthaginians, established ports and trading settlements on the island. During the second Punic War (218 B.C.), Malta became part of the Roman Empire. During Roman rule, in A.D. 60, Saint Paul was shipwrecked on Malta at a place now called St. Paul’s Bay.

In 533 A.D. Malta became part of the Byzantine Empire and in 870 came under Arab control. Arab occupation and rule left a strong imprint on Maltese life, customs, and language. The Arabs were driven out in 1090 by a band of Norman adventurers under Count Roger of Normandy, who had established a
kingdom in southern Italy and Sicily. Malta thus became an appendage of Sicily for 440 years. During this period, Malta was sold and resold to various feudal lords and barons and was dominated successively by the rulers of Swabia, Aquitaine, Aragon, Castile, and Spain.

In 1522 Suleiman II drove the Knights of St. John out of Rhodes. They dispersed to their commanderies in Europe and after repeated requests for territory to Charles V, in 1530 the Knights were given sovereignty of Malta under the suzerainty of the Kings of Sicily. In 1523, a key date in Maltese history, the islands were ceded by Charles V of Spain to the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. For the next 275 years, these famous "Knights of Malta" made the island their domain. They built towns, palaces, churches, gardens, and fortifications and embellished the island with numerous works of art and enhanced cultural heritage. In 1565 Suleiman the Magnificent laid siege to Malta. After several months the strength of the Knights and the Maltese population prevailed and the Turks were defeated. Over the years, the power of the Knights declined, however, and their rule of Malta ended with their peaceful surrender to Napoleon in 1798.

The people of Malta rose against French rule, which lasted two years, and with the help of the British evicted them in 1800. In 1814, Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire. Under the United Kingdom, the island became a military and naval fortress, the headquarters of the British Mediterranean fleet. During World War II, Malta survived relentless raids from German and Italian military forces (1940-43). In recognition, King George VI in 1942 awarded the George Cross "to the island fortress of Malta--its people and defenders." President Franklin Roosevelt, describing the wartime period, called Malta "one tiny bright flame in the darkness." Malta obtained independence on September 21, 1964, became a Republic on December 13, 1974, and a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004. The last British forces left in March 1979.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 117 – 138

    Islands become municipium under Emperor Hadrian.

    Islands become municipium under Emperor Hadrian.

  2. 395 – 870

    Byzantine rule.

    Byzantine rule.

  3. 870 – 1090

    Arab rule.

    Arab rule.

  4. 870

    Aglabiti (Tunisian) Arabs invade Malta and expel the Byzantine.

    Aglabiti (Tunisian) Arabs invade Malta and expel the Byzantine.

  5. 1048

    First Byzantine attempts to regain islands.

    First Byzantine attempts to regain islands.

  6. 1091

    Count Roger of Hauteville, aka the Norman, takes Malta.

    Count Roger of Hauteville, aka the Norman, takes Malta and imposed taxes but leaves Arab rulers.

  7. 1224

    Final expulsion of Arabs from Sicily and Malta.

    Final expulsion of Arabs from Sicily and Malta.

View full timeline (20 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • At one time there was a land bridge between Malta and Sicily.

  • Ancient Greeks and Romans called the island "Melita" - the island of honey.

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Geography and Environment

Malta is a small archipelago of six islands and islets in the center of the Mediterranean and takes its name from the main island in the group. Malta (95 sq. mi.) is the largest island of the group, followed by Gozo (26 sq. mi.) and Comino (1 sq. mi.). Malta, Gozo, and Comino are inhabited, while Cominotto, Filfla, and St. Paul's are small, uninhabited islets. The longest distance on Malta is about 17 miles, from southeast to northwest; the widest part is 9 miles from east to west. The same figures for Gozo are 9 miles and 4-1/2 miles. Gozo lies northwest of Malta across a narrow channel. Malta's shoreline is 85 miles; Gozo's is 27. The islands are formed of soft limestone which is the characteristic construction material used in most Maltese buildings. The terrain consists of low hills with terraced fields on slopes, with two small seasonal lakes and a few seasonal streams. Northern Malta is a series of ridges, valleys, bays, and promontories. The western side of the island is dominated by 800-foot high cliffs. Shorelines are very rocky, but a few sandy beaches exist. The soil on the islands is generally thin and rocky, although in some valleys it is terraced and farmed. Gozo has more arable land than Malta, and Comino is almost completely barren. In summer, the landscape is brown and arid, but soon after fall the rains begin, and the countryside turns green. Malta lies near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, 58 miles south of Sicily, 180 miles from the North African coast. Gibraltar is 1,141 miles to the west, and Alexandria (Egypt) 944 miles to the east.
Terrain
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Climate
The climate is subtropical in the summer, temperate the rest of the year, with occasional fog and rare frosts. Temperatures range from 35° F in winter to 95° F in summer, with brief periods above 100° F in August and early September. The driest months are May and July. Annual rainfall averages 19-22 inches, but fluctuates to less than 10 inches. The rains are heaviest from November to January and ease off slightly in February and March. Summer is hot and humid, with almost cloudless skies. The "scirocco," a warm humid southeast wind, occurs in spring and from mid-September to mid-October. The "gregale," a cold wind from the east and northeast in the winter, occasionally reaches gale forces of 70 miles per hour. Winter is chilly and damp with occasional heavy downpours, but also with many fine sunny days.
Natural Hazards
NA
Current Environmental Issues
very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Maltese (official), English (official)

  • English
  • Maltese

Population

Population
406,771
Population in Major Urban Areas
VALLETTA (capital) 198,000
Nationality Noun
Maltese (singular and plural)
Ethnic Groups
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Language Note
The Maltese language has a Semitic structure derived from a early form of Arabic. Both Maltese and English are official languages. The written form of Maltese is a Latin script, and it is used in commerce, education and business. However, English is a second language that is taught in school.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 10 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Malta
Full Country Name
Republic of Malta
Local - Long
Repubblika ta' Malta
Local - Short
Malta

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Myriam SPITERI DEBONO (since 4 April 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held on 27 March 2024 (next to be held by April 2029); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: Myriam SPITERI DEBONO elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous approval
Legislative Branch
unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by August 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD 0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31
Judicial Branch
Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987
Independence
21 September 1964 (from UK)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Capital City

Capital Name
Valletta
Capital - geographic coordinate
35 53 N, 14 30 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

named in honor of Jean de VALETTE, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who successfully led a defense of the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565

Military

Branches: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes land, maritime, and air elements)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy – Malta

Ta’Qali National Park Street

Attard ATD 4000

MALTA

Telephone: (356) 2561-4000

Email: ConsularMalta@state.gov

The Consular Section is open for American Citizen Services Mondays and Fridays from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. All non-emergency services are by appointment only.

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Economy

Malta's primary resources include limestone, a strategic geographic location in the central Mediterranean, and a highly skilled, productive labor force. The country produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and lacks domestic energy resources, making it heavily dependent on imports. The economy relies on foreign trade, tourism, financial services, online gaming, and manufacturing, particularly electronics and pharmaceuticals. Since joining the European Union in 2004 and adopting the euro in 2008, Malta has fully integrated into the European single market and has consistently posted one of the strongest GDP growth rates in the EU. The services sector now dominates the economy, accounting for roughly 80% of output, with tourism alone contributing more than a quarter of GDP. Malta has positioned itself as a hub for fintech, blockchain innovation, and maritime services, though challenges remain, including labor shortages, infrastructure strain from rapid population growth, and scrutiny over its financial regulatory framework and citizenship-by-investment program.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Euros (EUR)
GDP — official exchange rate
$5,193,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
1%

Banknotes

Malta Money - Front
Malta Money - Front
Malta Money - Back
Malta Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$2,703,000,000 (USD)
External Debt
$188,800,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
26.1%
Current Account Balance
-$593,000,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$2,147,483,647 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
industry 24%; services 71%; agriculture 5%
Industries
tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Agriculture Products
potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Export Commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Export Partners
Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9.2%, France 7.3%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.9%
Import Commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco
Import Partners
Italy 18.2%, France 12%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Germany 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
18,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.mt

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

The climate is subtropical in the summer, temperate the rest of the year, with occasional fog and rare frosts. Temperatures range from 35°F in winter to 95°F in summer, with brief periods above 100°F in August and early September. The driest months are May and July. Annual rainfall averages 19-22 inches, but fluctuates to less than 10 inches. The rains are heaviest from November to January and ease off slightly in February and March. Summer is hot and humid, with almost cloudless skies. The "scirocco," a warm humid southeast wind, occurs in spring and from mid-September to mid-October. The "gregale," a cold wind from the east and northeast in the winter, occasionally reaches gale forces of 70 miles per hour. Winter is chilly and damp with occasional heavy downpours, but also with many fine sunny days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Malta?
The population of Malta is approximately 406,771.
How do people greet each other in Malta?
Formal greetings begin and end with a handshake, and religious and professional titles are used. How people greet depends on gender, familiarity, social status and age. Do: Use religious and professional titles when addressing people Begin and end formal greetings with a handshake People from rural areas may pat one another on the back, shoulder or arm as a friendly gesture
What are dining customs like in Malta?
The Maltese eat continental style, with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right, keeping hands above the table. Dinner is the main meal, usually eaten between 6 and 8 PM, while breakfast and lunch are light. Do: Keep your hands above the table while eating Place utensils parallel on the plate when finished Wait until others have finished eating Fresh bread accompanies every meal and pasta may be served as entrée or main Fish dishes like aljotta (fish chowder) are common Try Maltese sandwiches and pastizzi at tea shops, cafes and clubs Summer picnics near the sea are common
What social etiquette should I know in Malta?
The Maltese are hospitable and generous, and socializing in the piazza is a favorite activity. Networking is important, and privacy is rare given the small size of the islands. Do: Arrange a visit in advance before dropping by Don't: Don't expect anonymity or much privacy on the islands Don't assume alternative lifestyles are easily tolerated Strong village rivalries can spark heated exchanges over politics, soccer or village saints
How should I dress in Malta?
The Maltese follow European fashions, and style and quality of clothing signal social status. People pay attention to grooming and avoid looking sloppy or untidy, even informally. Do: Dress neatly and avoid looking untidy, even in informal settings Follow dress codes in service, business, professional and even blue-collar sectors Older people wear traditional clothing; men often wear a cap and women dark-colored skirts
What is family life like in Malta?
Family is of great importance, with children staying in close contact with grandparents and often living at home until they marry. The man is head of the family, though women often control the household budget. Parents often help children acquire a car or house Young people seldom live on their own before marriage
What do people do for recreation in Malta?
Soccer is the most popular sport in Malta.
What is the capital of Malta?
Valletta is the capital of Malta and one of the smallest capital cities in the European Union by area. Founded by the Knights of St. John in 1566, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Baroque architecture, grand fortifications, and the magnificent St. John's Co-Cathedral. Despite its compact size, the city serves as Malta's political, cultural, and commercial heart, and its historic streetscape reflects centuries of Mediterranean and European influence.
Where is Malta located?
Malta is a small island nation situated in the central Mediterranean Sea, roughly 93 kilometres south of Sicily and 288 kilometres north of the African coast. Part of Southern Europe, it consists of three inhabited islands — Malta, Gozo, and Comino — along with several smaller uninhabited islets. Its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa has made it one of the most contested and historically significant locations in the Mediterranean throughout recorded history.
What are Malta's sea borders?
As an island nation, Malta shares no land borders and is entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. The Sicily Channel lies to the north, separating Malta from Italy, while the country faces the North African coastlines of Libya and Tunisia to the south. This maritime location has defined Malta's identity as a trading and naval hub for millennia; ancient Greeks and Romans knew the island as Melita, meaning "island of honey," a testament to its early fame across the Mediterranean world.
What is the predominant religion in Malta?
Roman Catholicism is by far the dominant religion in Malta, practiced by approximately 98 percent of the population. The Church holds a deeply embedded role in Maltese public life, reflected in the country's numerous parish churches — villages traditionally compete over the grandeur of their local church and the spectacle of their patron saint's feast, or festa. Religious observance shapes the calendar, social customs, and many aspects of family life, and Malta's constitution recognises Catholicism as the state religion.
What currency does Malta use?
Malta uses the euro, with the ISO currency code EUR. The country adopted the euro in January 2008 after joining the European Union in 2004, replacing the Maltese lira. As a member of the eurozone, Malta's economy is closely integrated with that of the broader EU, and the currency transition reinforced Malta's role as an emerging financial services centre and freight transshipment hub in the central Mediterranean.
What languages are spoken in Malta?
Maltese and English are both official languages of Malta and are widely spoken across the islands. Maltese is a Semitic language with deep Arabic roots, heavily influenced by Sicilian, Italian, and English, and it is the only Semitic language written in a Latin script. English has been widely used since British rule and remains the primary language of business, law, and education. The bilingual nature of Maltese society makes communication straightforward for most international visitors.
What is the geography of Malta like?
Malta is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world, comprising a modest archipelago in the central Mediterranean. The terrain is generally low-lying and rocky, characterised by limestone plateaus, sheltered harbours, and a deeply indented coastline. The islands have no rivers or mountains, and fresh water has historically been scarce. Geologists note that a land bridge once connected Malta to Sicily, and the islands' fossil record includes remains of dwarf elephants and hippopotamuses from that earlier era.
What is Malta known for?
Malta is known for its extraordinary concentration of megalithic temples, some of the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The island is also celebrated for its elaborate village festa traditions, where rival parishes stage spectacular fireworks displays and street processions in honour of patron saints. Malta has become a significant hub for online gaming, financial services, and film production — several major Hollywood productions have used its historic harbours and fortifications as backdrops. The local cuisine, including dishes such as rabbit stew (fenek) and pastizzi, reflects the island's layered Arab, Sicilian, and British heritage.

Last reviewed 2026

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