MALTA

Physical geography

Long shaped, 316 km². The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. On average, there are 60 days of rain per year.

An iconic place

Valetta, the capital of Malta, has a high density population of 6675.

An iconic object

The Megalithic Temples of Malta are a set of temples on the islands of Malta and Gozo. A dozen other sites were destroyed during World War II. Some of these megalithic temples are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Something the country has done for the world

Important historical figure

Important figure

History before 2000

The Knights’ reign ended when Bonaparte captured Malta on his way to Egypt during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1798. In the preceding years, the power of the Knights had declined and the Order had become unpopular. This was around the time when the universal values of freedom and liberty were incarnated by the French Revolution. 

History since 2000

There is an important Maltese diaspora, the last census in 1988 counted 800,000 expatriates.

Human geography

Population: 446,547 (2013). Density: 1.562hab/km²

Language(s) and culture(s)

Official Languages: Maltese and English

Political system and economy

Malta is a republic whose parliamentary system and public administration resemble the Westminster system. The President of Malta is appointed for a five-year term by a resolution of the House of Representatives carried by a simple majority. Malta joined the European Union in 2004. Malta is classified as an advanced economy together with 32 other countries according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal gave Malta's economy a great boost, as there was a massive increase in the shipping which entered the port. The two largest commercial banks are Bank of Valletta and HSBC Bank Malta, both of which can trace their origins back to the 19th century.

Youth

Teenagers can play sports, and there are things to do including having a job.

Article by Alban TIXIER