MALTA

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation consisting of an archipelago of seven islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Roman Catholicism is the most common religion. The strategically located islands constituting the Maltese nation have been ruled by various powers and fought over for centuries. Malta has been a member state of the European Union since May 1, 2004. It is currently the smallest European Union country in both population and area. Malta is the only nation in the world that has collectively been awarded the George Cross for conspicuous gallantry, and its flag bears a replica of that award.

Location

Malta lies directly south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya.

Geography

The country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration .

Capital

Valletta

Climate

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers.

Language

Maltese and English (official)

Monetary Unit

Maltese lira (MTL)

Largest Cities

Birkirkara, Qormi, Mosta, Zabbar, Rabat, San Gwann, Fgura, Zejtun, Sliema, Zebbug

Principal rivers

Places to Visit

Valletta, Sliema/St. Julian's/Paceville, Mdina and Rabat, Gozo (Ghawdex), Comino (Kemmuna)

Airports

Comino Hlpt Airport, GZM Gozo Airport, MLA Malta Luqa Airport