Malta

Republic of Malta Repubblika ta' Malta
Anthem: L-Innu Malti   The Maltese Anthem
Location of  Malta  (dark green) – on the European continent  (green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (green)  —  [Legend]
Capital		Valletta 35°53′N 14°30′E
Largest city		Birkirkara 35° 53′ 48″ N, 14° 27′ 45″ E
Official language(s)		Maltese, English
Ethnic groups (2007)		Maltese 95.3%, British 1.6%, other 3.1%
Demonym		Maltese
Government		Parliamentary Republic
-	President	George Abela
-	Prime Minister	Lawrence Gonzi
Independence
-	from the United Kingdom	21 September 1964
-	Republic	13 December 1974
Area
-	Total	316 km2 (200th) 121 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.001
Population
-	2010 estimate	417,608 ▲ (171st)
-	2007 census	410,5671
-	Density	1,306.8/km2 (7th) 3,413.9/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2010 estimate
-	Total	$10.405 billion
-	Per capita	$24,792
GDP (nominal)		2010 estimate
-	Total	$8.288 billion
-	Per capita	$19,746
HDI (2011)		▲ 0.832 (very high) (36th)
Currency		Euro (€)2 (EUR)
Time zone		CET (UTC+1)
-	Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Drives on the		Left
Internet TLD		.mt 3
Calling code		356
1 Total population includes foreign residents. Maltese residents population estimate at end 2004 was 389,769. All official population data provided by the NSO. 2Before 2008: Maltese lira 3 Also .eu, shared with other European Union member states.

Malta is an island country in Europe. It is near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. The capital of Malta is Valletta. About 400,000 people live in Malta. Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Because of this, it has many cities and towns that grew into each other over time. The largest of these is possibly Birkirkara.

Language

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English.

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 locations dating from early times.

Malta became well known as the base of the Knights of St John. They moved to Malta after being forced to leave Palestine and then Rhodes, in Greece. The knights and the Maltese people survived a great attack by the Turks. 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 English Royal Navy to come to the island. This lead to 200 years as a British colony and independent Commonwealth member. Some Maltese wanted the union of Malta with Italy, like Carmelo Borg Pisani

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

In 2004 Malta joined the European Union and in 2008 Malta joined the Euro.

Other websites

• Malta travel guide and information
• Malta Wiki - Malta Popular Encyclopedia
• Photos, Webcam of Gozo
• Malta holidays and hotels
• Malta travel guide
• Malta
• Malta Travel Guide

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Malta