Malta Facts and Culture

What is Malta famous for?

• Food and Recipes: Most families like to eat together. Breakfast and lunch are light meals, with lunch often consisting of a salad or... More
• Family: The man is the head of the family, but women often exercise power in home. For example, women usually control... More
• Fashion: Style and quality of clothing define social status. The Maltese follow European fashions. People pay attention to hairstyle, and avoid... More
• Visiting: Going out to socialize is a favorite activity for most Maltese. It is polite to arrange a visit in advance. More
• Recreation: Soccer is the most popular sport in Malta. More
• Cultural Attributes: The Maltese are known for their hospitality, and generosity. The family is of great importance, and children stay in close... More
• Dating: Dating starts between age fourteen and sixteen, but are only 'going steady' when parents have been formally introduced. Engagements usually... More
• Diet: The Maltese diet often combines Italian and British foods. Breakfast ranges from toast, cereal, and tea to full fried breakfast.... More

What is the capital of Malta?

Capital	Valletta
Government Type	parliamentary republic
Currency	Euros (EUR)
Total Area	122 Square Miles 316 Square Kilometers
Location	Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Language	Maltese (official), English (official)
GDP - real growth rate	3.4%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$34,700.00 (USD)

What is the population of Malta?

Ethnic Groups	Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Languages	The Maltese language has a Semitic structure derived from a early form of Arabic. Both Maltese and English are official languages. The written form of Maltese is a Latin script, and it is used in commerce, education and business. However, English is a second language that is taught in school.
Nationality Adjective	Maltese
Nationality Noun	Maltese (singular and plural)
Population	457,267
Population Growth Rate	0.34%
Population in Major Urban Areas	VALLETTA (capital) 198,000
Predominant Language	Maltese (official), English (official)
Urban Population	94.8%

What type of government does Malta have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President George VELLA (since 4 April 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (13 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta dual citizenship recognized: no residency... More
• National Holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974) More
• Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 amendments: proposals (Acts of Parliament) require at least two-thirds majority vote by the... More
• Independence: 21 September 1964 (from the UK) More

What environmental issues does Malta have?

• Overview: Malta is a small archipelago of six islands and islets in the center of the Mediterranean and takes its name... More
• Climate: The climate is subtropical in the summer, temperate the rest of the year, with occasional fog and rare frosts. Temperatures... More
• Environment - Current Issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine... More
• Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs More

How big is the Malta economy?

• Economic Overview: Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and... More
• Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco More
• Currency Name and Code: Euros (EUR) More
• Export Partners: Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9.2%, France 7.3%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.9% More
• Import Partners: Italy 18.2%, France 12%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Germany 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2% More

What current events are happening in Malta?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Malta?

• Ancient Greeks and Romans called the island "Melita" - the island of honey.
• At one time there was a land bridge between Malta and Sicily.

What makes Malta a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Malta is a small, developed, democratic Mediterranean island nation, positioned as a cultural stepping-stone between Europe and North Africa. Malta became a member of the European Union in 2004, and became a full member of the Schengen Area in 2008. Tourist facilities of all categories are widely available.

Crime

Malta is rated Medium for crime by the Department of State. Most reported incidents are crimes of opportunity for immediate gain, such as simple assault, pick-pocketing, and petty theft. In general, criminals in Malta have avoided using violence in order to achieve their objective. However, while armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides are not as common as in some major U.S. cities, they do occur. . Practice the same good, common-sense personal security precautions that are part of everyday life in urban areas within the United States, particularly when spending time in areas frequented by tourists. Secure your valuables and be aware of pickpockets and purse snatchers; such criminals focus on areas and establishments frequented by tourists. You should be careful in the Paceville nightclub area, where excessive drinking and poor crowd control can lead to violence, including some that appears to be racially motivated. Theft of unattended personal property and car stereos from vehicles is also a common problem. Panhandling is almost non-existent in Malta.

Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. The bootlegs are illegal to bring back into the United States, and if you purchase them, you are also breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Malta, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in Malta, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Malta, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in any country you visit. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Judicial proceedings in Malta typically last five to seven years and are characterized by lengthy and sometimes unpredictable delays between hearings. Foreign nationals can expect to be denied bail while a court case is ongoing, which can result in lengthy periods of pre-trial detention ranging from several months to several years. Obtaining no-fee legal aid can be a slow and difficult process, delaying already lengthy judicial proceedings.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in Malta, authorities of Malta are required to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. Malta’s laws on rights of arrestees are different from the United States. For example, once you have contacted a lawyer, you lose your right to remain silent.

Languages

The Maltese language has a Semitic structure derived from a early form of Arabic. Both Maltese and English are official languages. The written form of Maltese is a Latin script, and it is used in commerce, education and business. However, English is a second language that is taught in school.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care is available through public and private hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta ranges from adequate to good. Medical Specialists are few with many choosing to work in other countries. Private hospitals generally offer a higher standard of service than the public hospitals. One public hospital in Malta has adequate emergency room and trauma facilities, but its capacity is limited.

Safety and Security

o indigenous terrorist or extremist groups are known to be active in Malta and no foreign terrorist organization has carried out an attack against U.S. interests in Malta in recent years. Due to its geographic location and status as an EU-member country, Malta could be used as a possible staging point for terrorists desiring to enter other EU countries or as a refuge for terrorists attempting to evade detection. U.S. citizens are reminded to remain alert and aware of their immediate surroundings and exercise caution when out and about in Malta.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Malta, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Traffic in Malta flows on the left, requiring attentiveness and caution from U.S. visitors accustomed to driving on the right. Additionally, Maltese drivers may drive more aggressively and with less caution than visitors are used to seeing in the United States. Roads flood easily and are often narrow, winding and congested, with poor visibility around curves. Traffic arteries are prone to bottlenecks and accidents. Buses are the primary means of public transportation. Taxis are safe but expensive and are not metered; it is a good practice to agree with the driver in advance on the charge.