Malta

**Malta** is a country in Southern Europe, and a member of the European Union. It is an island near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily.  Although it is geologically located on the African Plate, Malta is recognized as a European country. The capital of Malta is Valletta. Around 500,000 people live in Malta and it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta is 316 sq km, which makes it one of the smallest countries and the smallest in the European Union. Its many cities and towns grew close to each other over time.

## Language

Maltese is the national language of Malta. It is a Semitic language similar to the Maghrebi Dialects of North Africa, with a high amount of influence from Romance languages, in particular Italian, and more recently English. Maltese and English are the official languages in line with the constitution of the country. A majority of the people of Malta can speak three languages; Maltese, English and Italian.

## Money

Malta had its own currency, called the Maltese Lira until 2008. The Maltese _Lira_ was better known as the Maltese _Pound_ because of the strong links to the United Kingdom. One Maltese Lira consisted of 100 _cents_. In 2008 Malta joined the Euro countries in adopting the Euro as the National Currency.

## History

People have lived in Malta since at least 5200 BC. The island has some key archaeological sites dating from early times.

Malta became well known as the base of the Knights Hospitaller. They moved to Malta after being forced to leave Palestine and then Rhodes, in Greece. In 1565 they survived a great attack by the Ottoman Empire. The history of the knights at Malta continued the strong Roman Catholic beliefs in the country that were started by the Norman and Spanish rulers.

In 1798, Napoleon took control of Malta. The French rule was not popular and in 1800 Maltese rebels invited the British Royal Navy to come to the island. This led to 200 years as a British colony and independent Commonwealth member.

During World War II, Malta was attacked this time by the Axis forces. The entire island was symbolically given the George Cross for heroism.

Malta became independent in 1964 and a republic in 1974. In 2004 Malta joined the European Union and in 2008 Malta joined the Euro.

## Other websites

- Maltese Relocation and Travel Guide
- Malta travel guide and information
- Malta Wiki - Malta Popular Encyclopedia
- Malta holidays and hotels
- Malta travel guide
- Malta
- Malta Travel Guide

## Infobox (country)

- **conventional long name**: Republic of Malta
- **common name**: Malta
- **image flag**: Flag of Malta.svg
- **image coat**: Coat of arms of Malta.svg
- **national anthem**: L-Innu Malti

- **image map**: EU-Malta.svg
- **capital**: Valletta
- **largest city**: Birkirkara
- **official languages**: *Maltese language, Maltese
*English language, English
- **common languages**: Italian language, Italian
- **languages type**: Sign language
- **languages**: Maltese Sign Language
- **demonym**: Maltese people, Maltese
- **government type**: republic
- **leader title1**: President of Malta, President
- **leader name1**: Myriam Spiteri Debono
- **leader title2**: Prime Minister of Malta, Prime Minister
- **leader name2**: Robert Abela
- **leader title3**: Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, Speaker
- **leader name3**: Angelo Farrugia
- **leader title4**: Chief Justice of Malta, Chief Justice
- **leader name4**: Mark Chetcuti
- **sovereignty type**: Independence
- **sovereignty note**: from the United Kingdom
- **established event1**: State of Malta, Commonwealth realm
- **established date1**: 21 September 1964
- **established event2**: Republic
- **established date2**: 13 December 1974
- **area km2**: 316
- **area rank**: 186th
- **area sq mi**: 122
- **percent water**: 0.001
- **population census**: 416,055
- **population estimate year**: 2014
- **population estimate rank**: 171st
- **population census year**: 2011
- **population density km2**: 1410
- **population density sq mi**: 4,077
- **population density rank**: 7th
- **gdp ppp**: $18.404 billion
- **gdp ppp year**: 2017
- **gdp ppp per capita**: $42,239
- **gdp nominal**: $11.164 billion
- **gdp nominal year**: 2017
- **gdp nominal per capita**: $25,623
- **gini**: 27.7
- **gini year**: 2014
- **gini change**: decrease
- **gini rank**: 15th
- **hdi**: 0.856
- **hdi year**: 2015
- **hdi change**: increase
- **hdi rank**: 33rd
- **currency**: Euro (Euro sign, €10000ll)
- **currency code**: EUR
- **time zone**: Central European Time, CET
- **utc offset**: +1
- **utc offset dst**: +2
- **time zone dst**: Central European Summer Time, CEST
- **date format**: dd/mm/yyyy (Anno Domini, AD)
- **drives on**: Right- and left-hand traffic, left
- **calling code**: Telephone numbers in Malta, +356
- **patron saints**: Paul the Apostle, Saint Publius and Agatha of Sicily
- **cctld**: .mt
- **official website**: [http://www.gov.mt www.gov.mt]
- **footnote a**: Maltese nationals as referred to in the 2011 census.
- **footnote b**: Maltese lira before 2008.
- **footnote c**: Also .eu, shared with other European Union member states.