Malta Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Mediterranean, south of Sicily.

Language

Maltese (a Semitic language) and English are the official languages. Italian is also widely spoken.

Area

316 sq km (122 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plug are in use.

Population

411, 452 (2008).

Population Density

1,302 per sq km.

Capital City

Valletta. Population: 6,794 (2008).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1964.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi since 2004.

Head of State

President George Abela since 2009.

Religion

95% Roman Catholic.

Recent History

Malta is home to the oldest free-standing buildings in the world: The Ggantija Prehistoric Temples date from around 3600 BC (1600 years after man first stepped foot on the Island).

The Phonecians colonized in 1000 BC giving it the name Malat, meaning refuge. The islands then came under the rule of Carthage and Rome, and it was in AD60 that the New Testament records that Saint Paul was shipwrecked on an island, believed to be Malta, on the shore of what is still known as Saint Paul's Bay.

Arab rule then followed for the next 200 years, and was responsible for the introduction of orange and lemon trees on the Island, and the building of irrigation systems and dry-stone retaining walls still visible today. The latinization of Malta followed in 1194, with the Kingdom of Sicily ruling and populating the Island for the next 440 years.

In 1530, Charles V handed over the Island to the famous Knights of Malta, who made it their domain, and Italian its official language; they built towns, palaces, churches, gardens, and fortifications, and enriched the island with important works of art and enhanced cultural heritage. The Great Siege in 1565 is arguably one of the most important events in Maltese history, when the Knights' nine-thousand-strong army, which included many Maltese civilians, defeated a prolonged Ottoman Empire attack by some 40,000 men.

The Knights reigned until 1798, when Napoleon evicted them on the way to his Egyptian campaign. French occupation lasted only two years, until the Maltese asked the British for assisitance and Lord Horatio Nelson forced the French to surrender. It was following this, in 1800, that Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire.

Malta remained under British occupation during both World Wars and susatined much damage during World War II, with King George VI awarding the George Cross (the highest civilian award for gallantry) on 15 April 1942, "to the island fortress of Malta - its people and defenders". Gaining independence in 1964 and becoming a republic in 1974, Malta finally said goodbye to British Forces in 1979. Today, Malta has achieved full membership of the European Union.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +356. There are no area codes. Public telephone booths are available.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet

There are internet cafes in the main towns and resorts. Most hotels offer wireless connection.

Media

Daily and weekly publications appear in both English and Maltese. In-Nazzjon Taghna and L'Orizzont are the Maltese dailies, with The Malta Independent, The Times of Malta, Malta Star and Malta Today being the English equivalent. Imported papers are available. Television is a broad mix of English, Italian and Maltese with TVM being the national station, Super One TV being owned by the Labor Party, and Net TV by the Nationalist Party. There are commercial radio stations such as Bay Radio. Radio 101 is owned by the Nationalist Party and Super One Radio is owned by the Malta Labor Party.

Post

Good postal services exist within the island. Mail within the EU usually takes around five working days to arrive. Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1245.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
7 Jun Sette Giugno (Commemoration of 1919 Riot)
29 Jun Feast of St Peter and St Paul
15 Aug Assumption
8 Sep Our Lady of Victories
21 Sep Independence Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
13 Dec Republic Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
10 Feb Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck
19 Mar St Joseph’s Day
31 Mar Freedom Day
6 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
7 Jun Sette Giugno (Commemoration of 1919 Riot)
29 Jun Feast of St Peter and St Paul
15 Aug Assumption
8 Sep Our Lady of Victories
21 Sep Independence Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
13 Dec Republic Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

Contact Information

British High Commission in Malta

Whitehall Mansions, Ta' Xbiex Seafront, Ta' Xbiex XBX 1026, Valletta, Malta
Telephone: (356) 2323 0000.
Website: www.ukinmalta.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1550.

Malta High Commission in the UK

Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, London W1J OLE, UK
Tel: (020) 7292 4800.
Website: www.gov.mt
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230.

Malta Tourist Office in the UK

Unit C, Parkhouse, 14 Northfields, London SW18 1DD, UK
Tel: (020) 8877 6990.
Website: www.visitmalta.com

Embassy of Malta in the USA

2017 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 462 3611.
Website: www.gov.mt