Malta facts for kids

This page is about the country. For other uses, see Malta (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Republic of Malta Repubblika ta' Malta (Maltese)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Virtute et constantia (Latin) "Strength and persistence"
Anthem: L-Innu Malti (Maltese) "The Maltese Hymn"
Location of Malta (green circle) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) – in the European Union (light green) — [Legend]
Capital	Valletta 35°54′N 14°31′E / 35.900°N 14.517°E / 35.900; 14.517
Largest administrative unit	St. Paul's Bay
Official languages	Maltese English
Other languages	Maltese Sign Language Italian
Ethnic groups (2021)	89.1% Caucasian 5.2% Asian 1.7% Arab 1.5% African 1.3% Hispanic / Latino 1.2% More than one origin
Religion (2021)	88.5% Christianity 82.6% Catholicism (official) 5.9% other Christian 5.1% no religion 3.9% Islam 1.4% Hinduism 1.1% other
Demonym(s)	Maltese
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic

• President	Myriam Spiteri Debono
• Prime Minister	Robert Abela

Legislature	Parliament of Malta
Independence from the United Kingdom

• State of Malta	21 September 1964
• Republic	13 December 1974

Area
• Total	316 km² (122 sq mi) (187th)
• Water (%)	0.001
Population
• 2021 census	542,051
• Density	1,649/km² (4,270.9/sq mi) (8th)
GDP (PPP)	2024 estimate
• Total	$36.870 billion (140th)
• Per capita	$67,682 (20th)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$22.737 billion (118th)
• Per capita	$41,738 (25th)
Gini (2020)	▲ 31.4 medium
HDI (2022)	0.915 very high · 25th
Currency	Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone	UTC+1 (Central European Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (Central European Summer Time)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+356
ISO 3166 code	MT
Internet TLD	.mt
2021 Malta census Chapter 4: Racial Origin according to the most recent national census. Meanwhile 77.8% of the population were Maltese citizens or nationals. Also .eu, shared with other European Union member states

Malta is an island country in Southern Europe. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. Malta is made up of several islands. It is about 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy.

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. The capital city is Valletta. Valletta is the smallest capital city in the European Union. This is true for both its size and its population.

Malta has about 542,000 people living in an area of 316 square kilometers (122 sq mi). This makes Malta one of the world's smallest countries by area. It is also one of the most densely populated.

Malta is a modern country with a strong economy. It relies a lot on tourism. Many people visit Malta for its warm weather and beautiful places. It also has many old buildings and historical sites. Three of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples. These temples are some of the oldest free-standing buildings in the world.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Malta

The name Malta comes from an old Greek word, Melítē. This word means "place of honey" or "sweetness." The ancient Greeks might have given the island this name because of Malta's special bees. These bees are found only in Malta.

Malta's Rich History: A Journey Through Time

Malta has been home to people since about 5900 BC. Its central spot in the Mediterranean Sea has always been very important. Many different powers have ruled the islands over time. Each one has helped shape Malta's culture and society.

In ancient times, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans ruled Malta.
During the Middle Ages, the Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese took control.
In more recent times, the Knights Hospitaller, French, and British ruled.

Malta became part of the British Empire in the early 1800s. It was a key base for the British navy. During World War II, Malta was heavily attacked by the Axis powers. It was an important base for the Allies in North Africa. Malta became an independent country in 1964. It became a republic in 1974. Since then, Malta has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. It joined the European Union in 2004 and started using the euro in 2008.

How Malta is Governed: Understanding its Politics

The Parliament House in Valletta

Malta is a republic. This means its head of state is a president, not a king or queen.

The country has a single parliament. It is made up of the President and the House of Representatives. The President of Malta has a mostly ceremonial role. They are chosen for a five-year term by the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives has 65 members. These members are elected every five years by the people. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. The Prime Minister is the head of government.

Malta's Local Areas: Administrative Divisions

Malta has had a system of local government since 1993. The country is divided into six regions. One of these regions is Gozo. Each region has its own Regional Council.

The regions are further divided into local councils. There are 68 local councils in total. 54 are on the main island of Malta, and 14 are in Gozo. These councils help manage local services.

Each council has a number of councillors. A mayor and a deputy mayor are chosen from these councillors. Local councils are in charge of things like keeping areas tidy. They also handle road repairs and rubbish collection. They help the national government with some tasks.

Malta's Unique Landscape: Geography and Islands

Satellite photo of Maltese islands

Malta is an archipelago, which means it's a group of islands. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It is about 80 km (50 mi) from southern Italy. Only the three largest islands are inhabited. These are Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The islands are part of a shallow underwater shelf. This shelf was once a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa. It became separate as sea levels rose after the last ice age.

Malta's coastline has many bays. These bays provide good natural harbors. The land itself has low hills and terraced fields. The highest point is Ta' Dmejrek, which is 253 meters (830 ft) high. Malta does not have any permanent rivers or lakes. However, some water flows all year in certain valleys.

Malta is part of the Mediterranean plant region. It has plants that can handle dry weather.

Uninhabited Islands of Malta

Here are some of the smaller, uninhabited islands that are part of Malta:

Barbaġanni Rock
Cominotto
Dellimara Island
Filfla
Fessej Rock
Fungus Rock
Għallis Rock
Ħalfa Rock
Large Blue Lagoon Rocks
Islands of St. Paul/Selmunett Island
Manoel Island
Mistra Rocks
Taċ-Ċawl Rock
Qawra Point/Ta' Fraben Island
Small Blue Lagoon Rocks
Sala Rock
Xrobb l-Għaġin Rock
Ta' taħt il-Mazz Rock

Malta's Weather: Understanding the Climate

Malta has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild winters and hot summers. Most of the rain falls in autumn and winter. Summers are usually dry.

The average temperature during the day is about 23°C (73°F). At night, it's around 15.5°C (60°F). January is the coldest month. Daytime temperatures are typically 12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F). August is the warmest month. Daytime temperatures are usually 28 to 34°C (82 to 93°F).

Valletta, Malta's capital, has the warmest winters among European capitals. Average temperatures are around 15 to 16°C (59 to 61°F) during the day in January and February. Snow is very rare in Malta. The sea temperature is warm enough for swimming for about six months of the year.

Malta gets a lot of sunshine, about 3,000 hours per year. This is twice as much as cities in northern Europe. In December, Malta gets over 160 hours of sunshine, while London gets only about 37 hours.

Malta's Plants: Flora

National plant: Maltese centaury (Widnet il‑Baħar, since 1971)

The Maltese islands have many different types of plants. Some are found only in Malta. These plants are adapted to the Mediterranean climate, meaning they can handle dry conditions.

Common native trees include olive, carob, fig, holm oak, and Aleppo pine. Some common non-native trees are eucalyptus and acacia.

Malta's national flower is the Maltese centaury. Other unique plants include the Maltese everlasting and the Gozo hyoseris. The variety of plants in Malta is at risk. This is due to losing natural habitats, new species arriving, and human activities.

Malta's Economy: How the Country Makes Money

A new and modern financial center opened in 2021.

Central Bank of Malta, Pope Pius V Street in Valletta, Malta

Malta's main resources are limestone, its good location, and a skilled workforce. Malta produces only about 20% of the food it needs. It also has limited fresh water. The country has no natural energy sources, but it does get a lot of sunlight for solar energy.

Malta's economy depends on foreign trade, manufacturing (like electronics), and tourism. Making films in Malta also helps the economy.

Malta is part of a monetary union, the eurozone (dark blue).

Malta uses the Euro currency. The Maltese euro coins feature symbols like the Maltese cross and the Mnajdra Temples.

Tourism in Malta

Mellieħa Bay beach

Malta is a very popular place for tourists. About 1.6 million tourists visit each year. This is three times more visitors than the number of people who live there. The number of hotels and tourist facilities has grown a lot.

In 2019, Malta had a record year for tourism, with over 2.1 million visitors. Malta has also started to promote itself for medical tourism. This means people travel to Malta for medical treatments. Tourism brings about 11.6% of Malta's total income.

Malta's People: Demographics

As of 2021, most people living in Malta were born there. Out of a total population of 519,562, about 386,280 were Maltese-born. However, there are also many people from other countries. The largest groups are from the United Kingdom, Italy, India, the Philippines, and Serbia.

Most non-Maltese people identify as Caucasian (58.1%). Other groups include Asian (22.2%), Arab (6.3%), and African (6.0%).

Malta's Languages

Il-Kantilena by Pietru Caxaro, the oldest text in Maltese language, 15th century

The Maltese language is one of Malta's two official languages. It is considered the national language. The other official language is English. All laws are written in both Maltese and English.

Malta's Faith: Religion

Most people in Malta are Christian. About 95.2% of the population follows Christianity. The main Christian group is Roman Catholicism, which is the official religion. About 4.5% of people say they have no religion.

Malta's Way of Life: Culture

Malta's culture shows influences from many different cultures. These cultures have come into contact with the islands over many centuries.

Music in Malta

Manoel Theatre, Europe's third-oldest working theatre. Now Malta's National Theatre and home to the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Modern Maltese music is mostly Western. However, traditional Maltese music includes something called għana. This is a type of folk music with guitar. People, usually men, take turns singing and debating in a sing-song voice.

Music is very important in Maltese culture. Each town has its own band club. These bands play music for various events, especially during village feasts. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is Malta's most important music group. It often plays at big national events.

Many Maltese artists perform different styles of music. Some famous classical singers are Miriam Gauci and Joseph Calleja. Popular non-classical bands include Winter Moods and Red Electric. Well-known singers include Ira Losco and Chiara Siracusa.

Maltese Stories: Literature

Maltese literature has been written for over 200 years. An old love song found recently shows that writing in the local language goes back to the Middle Ages. Maltese literature followed a Romantic style. The national poet of Malta is Dun Karm Psaila. Later writers tried new styles.

Newer writers have explored different ways of writing, especially in stories and poems.

Malta's Buildings: Architecture

Lower Barrakka Gardens

Maltese architecture has been shaped by many Mediterranean cultures and British styles. The first people on the island built Ġgantija. This is one of the oldest free-standing structures made by humans in the world. The ancient temple builders created detailed designs in their many temples.

The Roman period brought beautiful mosaic floors and marble columns. You can still see parts of these at the Roman Domus outside Mdina. Early Christian paintings in Malta's underground tombs show Eastern influences. These influences continued into the Middle Ages, mixed with Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Today, Malta is building many new structures. Areas like the Valletta Waterfront are being updated.

Art in Malta

Towards the end of the 1400s, Maltese artists were influenced by Italian Renaissance painters. This brought new ideas to art in Malta.

The Siege of Malta – Flight of the Turks, by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio

Art in Malta really grew under the Knights of St. John. They brought Italian and Flemish painters to decorate their palaces and churches. Famous artists like Matteo Perez d'Aleccio worked in Malta. His art can be seen in the Magisterial Palace and St. John's Co-Cathedral.

The arrival of Caravaggio in Malta changed local art. He painted at least seven works during his 15-month stay. Two of his most famous paintings, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome Writing, are in St. John's Co-Cathedral.

Francesco Noletti's Still Life of Pomegranates, Peaches and other Fruits

The Baroque art style had a lasting impact on Malta. The paintings on the ceiling of St. John's Co-Cathedral by Mattia Preti turned it into a Baroque masterpiece. Melchior Gafà became a top Baroque sculptor.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Italian artists brought new styles. These can be seen in the works of Maltese artists like Gio Nicola Buhagiar and Francesco Zahra.

In the 20th century, a "Modern Art Group" formed. They helped renew Maltese art. Many modern Maltese artists studied in England or Europe. This led to a wide range of artistic styles. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta displays many works. In 2018, the national art collection moved to the new National Museum of Art, MUŻA.

Maltese Food: Cuisine

Pastizzi, a typical Maltese snack

Maltese food is strongly influenced by Sicilian and Italian cooking. It also has influences from English, Spanish, North African, and French foods. Some dishes are eaten only at certain times of the year or during Christian holidays.

A traditional Maltese meal is fenkata, which is stewed or fried rabbit. Potatoes are also a common food in Malta.

Malta has its own types of grapes, like Girgentina and Ġellewża. There is a strong wine industry. Wines made from grapes grown in Malta and Gozo have a special protected status.

Maltese Traditions: Customs

A study in 2010 found that Maltese people are very generous. About 83% of them give to charity.

Maltese folktales include stories about mysterious creatures and supernatural events. These stories were collected by Manuel Magri in his book "Fables from our Forefathers." This book inspired others to gather traditional tales and legends from the islands. Some stories feature giants, witches, and dragons. Others have unique Maltese creatures like the Kaw kaw.

Fun in Malta: Festivals and Events

The statue of St. George at the festa of Victoria, Gozo

Local festivals are very common in Malta and Gozo. They celebrate weddings, baptisms, and especially saints' days. On saints' days, there is a special church service. In the evening, a statue of the saint is carried through the streets.

Before the religious part, there are several days of celebration. These include band marches, fireworks, and parties. The biggest festival is for the Assumption of Mary. It is celebrated in many parishes on August 15th.

The statue of Santa Marija at the festa of Mġarr, Malta

Carnival is an important cultural event. It takes place in the week before Ash Wednesday. It includes masked balls, costume competitions, parties, and a colorful parade of floats.

Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday.

Mnarja is another important festival. It is a national festival dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Its roots go back to an ancient Roman festival of lights. The celebrations still begin with an official government announcement. It is said that in the past, this was the only day Maltese people were allowed to hunt and eat wild rabbit. Because of this, rabbit stew is still strongly linked to Mnarja today.

Holy Week procession in Żebbuġ

Isle of MTV is a one-day music festival. It is produced by MTV and held every year in Malta since 2007. Famous pop artists perform at this event. In 2012, artists like Flo Rida and Nelly Furtuna performed. Over 50,000 people attended that year.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival has been held every year in the Grand Harbour of Valletta since 2003.

Sports in Malta

Football (soccer) is one of the most popular sports in Malta. Other popular sports include boċċi (a type of bowling), horse racing, gostra (a greasy pole game), regatta (boat racing), water polo, and motorsports.

In 2018, Malta hosted its first Esports tournament. Since then, Malta has become a main location for hosting the ESL Pro League, a big esports competition.

Images for kids

The 1565 Siege of Malta: The bombardment of the bastion of Castille.
Ġgantija megalithic temple complex
The temple complex of Mnajdra
The lands which comprise modern-day Malta, were a part of the Byzantine Empire (The empire in 555 under Justinian the Great, at its greatest extent since the fall of the Western Roman Empire (its vassals in pink))
Roman mosaic from the Domvs Romana
The Maymūnah Stone, a Roman period marble stone, was reused as a 12th-century tombstone believed to have been found in Gozo.
Roger I of Sicily returned Malta to Christian rule
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina built in the Baroque style
Bust of Bonaparte at Palazzo Parisio in Valletta
The heavily bomb-damaged Kingsway (now Republic Street) in Valletta during the Siege of Malta, 1942
Monument to the independence of Malta in Floriana
Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007.
Maltese landscape, Mġarr.
The main urban area of Malta. Valletta is the central peninsula.
The dolphin show at Mediterraneo Marine Park. Tourism generates a significant part of the GDP of Malta.
Portomaso Business Tower, the tallest building in Malta
Principal internal transportation
Maltese Otokar and King Long buses
Grand Harbour
Malta Freeport, one of the largest European ports
An Air Malta Airbus A320.
Valletta, Malta's capital city
The St. Paul Polyptych dates to the early 15th century and is associated with the medieval Università and the Mdina cathedral. Featuring the style of the Catalan Gothic, it was probably made in the workshop of Lluis Borassa and is a testament to the strong Pauline tradition present on the islands since the Middle Ages.
Żejtun city centre Parish church
The Greek Orthodox church of St. George in Valletta
Child Migrants' Memorial at the Valletta Waterfront, commemorating the 310 child migrants who travelled to Australia between 1950 and 1965
University of Malta
National Library in Valletta
The Sacra Infermeria was used as a hospital from the 16th to 20th centuries. It is now the Mediterranean Conference Centre.