Malta

Capital of Malta: Valletta
Population of Malta: 408,333
Total area of Malta: 316 km2

Malta is an island nation in the Middle of the Mediterranean. It is also known as the Republic of Malta. Its flag is white to the left with an ornate cross in the upper left quadrant. The right side of the flag is solid red. Its coat of arms is a U-shaped collection of leaves embracing a banner that is the same as the flag of Malta. The top is a crown made of bricks.

Malta population

The capital city of Malta is Valletta. Much of the country is native Maltese but there are a number of British people living there. It is a big retirement community for Great Britain’s elderly. The population is about 400,000 people. It has one of the highest population densities of all the countries of the world. Native Maltese make up 97 percent of the total population. The overall population is aging. The national language of Malta is Maltese but English is also strongly spoken there. Italian used to be the official language of Malta until the year 1934. Maltese is related to a Semitic language and to Sicilian. The state religion is Roman Catholicism, practiced by 98 percent of the population. Patron saints and festivals related to them are very important in the country.  

History of Malta

Malta was first settled around 5200 BCE. They were inhabited by the Sicani tribe, related to the Iberians. It was depopulated after 2500 BCE until the Bronze Age. The Ancient Greeks settled in 700 BCE and the Phoenicians also came there. Roman immigrants also settled there. Phoenicia fell in 400 BCE and the control of Malta become under Carthage. Malta was part of the Byzantine-Arab Wars and its rule changed to the Fatimads in 909 CE. The Maltese language developed from this era based on Sicilian dialects. The Normans took over Malta in 1091. It remained a kingdom through 1266 when it became part of the German Nation. After that, it became a kingdom again. A fifth of the people died of the plague in 1675. Knights ruled Malta until Napoleon captured it in 1798. It became part of the British Empire in 1814 and was heavily bombed in the World Wars. It became an independent country in 1964.

Malta Tourism

Strategically located at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is an archipelago that is famous as a tourist destination because of its various recreational areas, historical monuments and lively cultural attractions. Its subtropical–Mediterranean climate is characterized by mild winters and warm to hot summers. The major islands, Malta, Gozo, Comino and Filfla, offer prehistoric temples, multicolored fishing boats, medieval walled citadels and splendid baroque churches. Tourists have plenty of activities to look forward to in Malta, such as abseiling and climbing in Gozo rocks or viewing archeological wonders like the Megalithic Temples of which seven are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Valleta is also listed for its renowned massive fortifications and baroque architecture. People of the Christian faith or those interested in history also come to see the catacombs which are evidence of early Christian practices and beliefs during the Roman persecution. For entertainment or leisure, Malta offers a mix of beaches, harbors, wine bars, alleys and even MTV music festival.

The Maltese people are generous folks with 83 percent contributing to charity, according to a 2010 study. They also have remarkable customs and traditions such as processions and patron saints' days or fiestas as well as band processions, fireworks, and late night parties. Mnarja, a national festival dedicated to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, is festival of religion, music and food.  Visitors would love to have a taste of Maltese cuisine during festivals and during christening and weddings. Reflecting the nation’s history, the Maltese cuisine shows strong Sicilian, English, Spanish, Maghrebin and Provençal influences. Anytime of the year, however, even the mouth-watering seafood is enough cause for celebration.