Question 1

What is the population of Malta?

Accepted Answer

The population of Malta is approximately 535,064.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Formal greetings begin and end with a handshake, and religious and professional titles are used. How people greet depends on gender, familiarity, social status and age. Do: Use religious and professional titles when addressing people Begin and end formal greetings with a handshake People from rural areas may pat one another on the back, shoulder or arm as a friendly gesture

Question 3

What are dining customs like in Malta?

Accepted Answer

The Maltese eat continental style, with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right, keeping hands above the table. Dinner is the main meal, usually eaten between 6 and 8 PM, while breakfast and lunch are light. Do: Keep your hands above the table while eating Place utensils parallel on the plate when finished Wait until others have finished eating Fresh bread accompanies every meal and pasta may be served as entrée or main Fish dishes like aljotta (fish chowder) are common Try Maltese sandwiches and pastizzi at tea shops, cafes and clubs Summer picnics near the sea are common

Question 4

What social etiquette should I know in Malta?

Accepted Answer

The Maltese are hospitable and generous, and socializing in the piazza is a favorite activity. Networking is important, and privacy is rare given the small size of the islands. Do: Arrange a visit in advance before dropping by Don't: Don't expect anonymity or much privacy on the islands Don't assume alternative lifestyles are easily tolerated Strong village rivalries can spark heated exchanges over politics, soccer or village saints

Question 5

How should I dress in Malta?

Accepted Answer

The Maltese follow European fashions, and style and quality of clothing signal social status. People pay attention to grooming and avoid looking sloppy or untidy, even informally. Do: Dress neatly and avoid looking untidy, even in informal settings Follow dress codes in service, business, professional and even blue-collar sectors Older people wear traditional clothing; men often wear a cap and women dark-colored skirts

Question 6

What is family life like in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Family is of great importance, with children staying in close contact with grandparents and often living at home until they marry. The man is head of the family, though women often control the household budget. Parents often help children acquire a car or house Young people seldom live on their own before marriage

Question 7

What do people do for recreation in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Soccer is the most popular sport in Malta.

Question 8

What is the capital of Malta?

Accepted Answer

Valletta is the capital of Malta and one of the smallest capital cities in the European Union by area. Founded by the Knights of St. John in 1566, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Baroque architecture, grand fortifications, and the magnificent St. John's Co-Cathedral. Despite its compact size, the city serves as Malta's political, cultural, and commercial heart, and its historic streetscape reflects centuries of Mediterranean and European influence.

Question 9

Where is Malta located?

Accepted Answer

Malta is a small island nation situated in the central Mediterranean Sea, roughly 93 kilometres south of Sicily and 288 kilometres north of the African coast. Part of Southern Europe, it consists of three inhabited islands — Malta, Gozo, and Comino — along with several smaller uninhabited islets. Its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa has made it one of the most contested and historically significant locations in the Mediterranean throughout recorded history.

Question 10

What are Malta's sea borders?

Accepted Answer

As an island nation, Malta shares no land borders and is entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. The Sicily Channel lies to the north, separating Malta from Italy, while the country faces the North African coastlines of Libya and Tunisia to the south. This maritime location has defined Malta's identity as a trading and naval hub for millennia; ancient Greeks and Romans knew the island as Melita, meaning "island of honey," a testament to its early fame across the Mediterranean world.

Question 11

What is the predominant religion in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Roman Catholicism is by far the dominant religion in Malta, practiced by approximately 98 percent of the population. The Church holds a deeply embedded role in Maltese public life, reflected in the country's numerous parish churches — villages traditionally compete over the grandeur of their local church and the spectacle of their patron saint's feast, or festa. Religious observance shapes the calendar, social customs, and many aspects of family life, and Malta's constitution recognises Catholicism as the state religion.

Question 12

What currency does Malta use?

Accepted Answer

Malta uses the euro, with the ISO currency code EUR. The country adopted the euro in January 2008 after joining the European Union in 2004, replacing the Maltese lira. As a member of the eurozone, Malta's economy is closely integrated with that of the broader EU, and the currency transition reinforced Malta's role as an emerging financial services centre and freight transshipment hub in the central Mediterranean.

Question 13

What languages are spoken in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Maltese and English are both official languages of Malta and are widely spoken across the islands. Maltese is a Semitic language with deep Arabic roots, heavily influenced by Sicilian, Italian, and English, and it is the only Semitic language written in a Latin script. English has been widely used since British rule and remains the primary language of business, law, and education. The bilingual nature of Maltese society makes communication straightforward for most international visitors.

Question 14

What is the geography of Malta like?

Accepted Answer

Malta is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world, comprising a modest archipelago in the central Mediterranean. The terrain is generally low-lying and rocky, characterised by limestone plateaus, sheltered harbours, and a deeply indented coastline. The islands have no rivers or mountains, and fresh water has historically been scarce. Geologists note that a land bridge once connected Malta to Sicily, and the islands' fossil record includes remains of dwarf elephants and hippopotamuses from that earlier era.

Question 15

What is Malta known for?

Accepted Answer

Malta is known for its extraordinary concentration of megalithic temples, some of the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The island is also celebrated for its elaborate village festa traditions, where rival parishes stage spectacular fireworks displays and street processions in honour of patron saints. Malta has become a significant hub for online gaming, financial services, and film production — several major Hollywood productions have used its historic harbours and fortifications as backdrops. The local cuisine, including dishes such as rabbit stew (fenek) and pastizzi, reflects the island's layered Arab, Sicilian, and British heritage.

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