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Malta

Malta

Continent

Europe

Best States to Visit

  • Valletta
  • Mdina
  • Silema
  • Birgu
  • St. Julian's

Best Cities to Visit

  • Mellieha
  • Bugibba
  • Qawra
  • Marsaxlokk
  • Victoria

Size

316 KM2

Population

441,543

GDP

$15

Spending Budget

$199 - $204

Famous For

  • Weather
  • Scenic beauty

Best Time to Visit

  • April
  • May
  • June

History

Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.Malta became a British colony in 1813, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It was besieged by the Axis powers during World War II and was an important Allied base for operations in North Africa and the Mediterranean.The British parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen.The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.

Present Day

Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta and formerly Melita, is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea.It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. With a population of about 515,000over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi),Malta is the world's tenth smallest country in area and fourth most densely populated sovereign country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.61 km2 (0.24 sq mi). The official and national language is Maltese, which is descended from Sicilian Arabic that developed during the Emirate of Sicily, while English serves as the second official language. Italian and Sicilian also previously served as official and cultural languages on the island for centuries, with Italian being an official language in Malta until 1934 and a majority of the current Maltese population being at least conversational in the Italian language.Malta is a tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

Future

Malta is well positioned to continue its economic growth over the next decade. The favorable labor situation should continue to attract foreign companies and investment, while low prices for goods and accommodations will continue to draw tourists to the islands. Because the nation is dependent on tourism and foreign trade, it is vulnerable to slowdowns in the economies of its major trading partners.Entry into the EU will expand Malta's economic opportunities since it will cut tariffs and taxes on Maltese goods imported by EU member states. It will also make it easier for EU companies to relocate to Malta. The most important issue for Malta is the need to lessen the role of the government in the economy. The 2018 edition of the World Risk Report, developed by the United Nation University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security, once again named Malta, as one of the world’s safest countries.The collaborative report lists Malta in second place in terms of its exposure to and ability to handle natural disasters.The Maltese islands have an overall 0.57% chance of falling victim to a natural disaster.
Must Visit Places ------------

Attard

The largest of the "Three Villages" in central Malta, Attard is a charming town that has historically been well known for its many fragrant citrus orchards. Today, many of these orchards are on private property, but visitors still flock here to see the beautiful San Anton Gardens

Birgu

Also known by the name Città Vittoriosa, Birgu is the oldest of Eastern Malta's three fortified cities. It's located right in the Grand Harbor, and because of this has a rich maritime and military history. The city is surrounded by fortified walls, but can be entered through three different gates.

Birzebbuga

Only 8 miles away from the Maltese capital, Birzebbuga is a popular seaside resort town. Many visitors come here for the sandy beach of Pretty Bay, which offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and other tourist amenities, but the rocky beach of St. George’s Bay is popular with snorkelers, sailors, and fishermen.

Bugibba

Located on the northern coast of the island, Bugibba is a well-developed resort town that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The town doesn't have as much history as some other places on the island, but there are plenty of restaurants and hotels as well as a bustling nightlife scene, a casino, and companies offering SCUBA diving trips.

Cospicua

Another of the three fortified cities in Eastern Malta, Cospicua is located on the east side of the Grand Harbor and sometimes goes by the name of Bormla. Although now filled with excellent examples of traditional Maltese architecture, the city has been inhabited since neolithic times, and visitors can learn about its history in the Bir Mula Heritage Museum.

Fgura

A small farming community until the 1960s, Fgura is now an important commercial center with one of the largest population densities in the country. Despite being more of a residential town than a tourist destination, the area has its fair share of attractions and is an enjoyable place for visitors to spend a few days.

Floriana

Although it was originally meant to be a suburb of the capital city Valletta, Floriana quickly became a town in its own right. Located on the waterfront, it's known as the "Gate to Valletta" and is located within easy walking distance of the capital.

Marsaxlokk

Home to Malta's largest fishing harbor, Marsaxlokk is a small yet picturesque fishing village with just over 3,200 inhabitants. An open-air market can be found in the harbor, where the water is usually dotted with plenty of colorful boats known as luzzus.

Mdina

The Maltese capital until the 16th century, Mdina is a walled medieval town with a population of less than 300 people. Set on top of a plateau, the town offers incredible views of the island and the Mediterranean.

Mellieha

Perched on a ridge overlooking both St Paul's Bay and Mellieha Bay, Mellieha is a resort town that has managed to retain an authentic, local feel. Many people are drawn here by the white sandy beaches, which are widely acknowledged as some of the best on the island, but there are more things to do here than swim and sunbathe.

Mosta

One of the most populated Maltese cities, Mosta is conveniently located near the center of the island. The primary attraction in the town is the Mosta Dome, also known as the Rotunda, which is one of the largest church domes in the entire world.

Naxxar

Encompassing 11 square kilometers in Northern Malta, Naxxar is a charming village whose inhabitants have retained much of their traditional culture and customs. An enjoyable day can be spent simply wandering through the town's narrow streets, visiting the town chapels, or relaxing in the public gardens, but anyone interested in art or architecture should make time to stop by the elaborate 19th-century Palazzo Parisio

Qawra

Originally developed to attract British tourists, Qawra is a lovely seaside resort town with plenty of hotels and other tourist amenities. There are no sandy beaches in the town, but people can still swim and sunbathe near the water thanks to the many large rocks on the shore.

Qormi

Like many other towns in Malta, Qormi has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. However, the city really sprang to life during the Middle Ages; the main attractions today are from the 1400s, including the beautiful Church of St. George.

Rabat

Rabat was a suburb of Mdina when it was the capital city, but it is now a separate village located only a few minutes away from the old capital on foot. One of the most interesting things to see here is St. Paul's Grotto, a cave in the moat around the city where the saint allegedly lived after being shipwrecked.

Senglea

Sitting on a peninsula in the Grand Harbor, Senglea is the smallest Maltese town by land area and the third of the Three Cities. The local church is one of the biggest sights; dedicated to "Our Lady of Victories," it was destroyed completely during the Second World War but later rebuilt.

Siggiewi

Located in the south of Malta, Siggiewi is a charming village with narrow streets, beautiful architecture, and an authentic atmosphere. The bay of Ghar Lapsi is one of the biggest attractions in the area; it offers an interesting cave, sparkling blue-green waters, and excellent views from the cliffs.

Sliema

One of the most modern towns in Malta, Sliema is a popular tourist destination with many different hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. The town is located on a peninsula right across the water from the capital city Valletta and offers great views of the city and of the surrounding Mediterranean Sea.

St. Julian's

Named in honor of its patron saint, St. Julian's is located just north of Valletta and is an excellent place to base yourself for day trips of the surrounding area. The town was formerly a fishing village, but it has seamlessly developed into a popular tourist destination with plenty of authentic charm.

St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul's Bay is the largest resort town in Northern Malta, and it can be divided into four distinct areas: Xemxija, Bugibba, Qawra, and the Old Town. Each area has its own attractions; Xemxija offers a peaceful fishing harbor, Bugibba is known for its lively nightlife, and the Old Town and Qawra are home to plenty of hotels and restaurants

Valletta

Famous for having been built by the Knights of St John, Valletta is the capital city of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city sits on a tiny peninsula, but it has plenty of tourist attractions despite its small size

Zabbar

Sometimes called Città Hompesch, Zabbar is a relatively large city in the southeastern part of Malta. There are several beautiful churches for visitors to admire, including the Church of Our Lady of Graces and the Annunciation Church.

Zebbug

As one of the oldest towns in the country, Zebbug has a rich history that goes all the way back to prehistoric times. A number of Phoenician tombs have been found in the area, and the town was one of the most important in Malta when the country was under the rule of the knights

Zejtun

Zejtun was named after the many olive trees found in the area; the city used to be one of Malta's top producers of olive oil, and it still hosts the popular Olive Festival at the end of every September to celebrate the olive harvest.

Zurrieq

One of the oldest towns in all of Malta, Zurrieq offers visitors plenty to see and do. Because of the city's long history, visitors can ogle at ruins and relics that date back to the Bronze Age, the time of the Romans, and the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.