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MALTA
Year of EU entry 2004
Political system Republic
Capital city Valletta
Total area 316 km2
Population 0.4 million
Currency Maltese lira |
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Overview
Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited. The terrain is low and rocky with coastal cliffs.
Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning 'safe haven'. Later, the islands were for centuries the seat of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John and then part of the British Empire. It became independent in 1964.
The Maltese government is headed by the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the unicameral House of Representatives, known in Maltese as Kamra tar-Rapprezentanti.
The national language is Maltese but English is recognised as an official language, and many Maltese also speak Italian.
Tourism is important in Malta but the island also has an expanding services sector.
Traditional Maltese food includes soup (minestrone, fish), pasta and pastry dishes. Stuffed dishes are a feature of Maltese cuisine. Stuffat Tal-Fenek (rabbit stew) is a national dish.
Economy
Major resources are limestone, a favourable geographic location, and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Continued sluggishness in the European economy is holding back exports, tourism, and overall growth.
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