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{{Distinguish2|the separate nation, ]}}
{{Abouion=] |region_color=dark gray |subregion=the ] |subregion_color=light green |legend=EU-Malta.svg}}
|national_motto =
|national_anthem = '']''<small><br/>("The Maltese Hymn")</small>
|national_language = ],
|official_languages = ], ]
|demonym = Maltese
|ethnic_groups = ] 95.3%, ] 1.6%, other 3.1% <ref></ref>
|capital = ] ('']'')
|latd=35 |latm=53 |lats=42 |latNS=N |longd=14 |longm=30 |longs=36 |longEW=E
|largest_city = ]
|other_cities = ] ] ] ] ]
|government_type = ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|accessionEUdate = 1 May 2004
|area_rank = 200 <!--rank based on sovereign states only-->
|area_magnitude = 1_E8
|area_km2 = 316
|area_sq_mi = 121 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water = 0.001
|population_estimate_year = 2008
|population_estimate = 413,609
|population_estimate_rank = 174th <!--rank based on sovereign states only-->
|population_census = 404,962<sup>1</sup>
|population_census_year = 2005
|population_density_km2 = 1,298 <!--2007-->
|population_density_sq_mi = 3,391 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 6th <!--rank based on sovereign states only-->
|GDP_PPP_year = 2008
|GDP_PPP = $9.893 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=181&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr1.x=18&pr1.y=14 |title=Malta|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=1 October 2009}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank = 142nd
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $23,971<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 37th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2008
|GDP_nominal = $8.338 billion <!---IMF--->
|GDP_nominal_rank = 128th
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $20,281 <!---IMF--->
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 36th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}}0.902
|HDI_rank = 38th
|HDI_category = <span style="color:#000;">very high</span>
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = from the ]
|established_date1 = 21 September 1964
|established_event2 = Republic
|established_date2 = 13 December 1974
|currency = ] (])<sup>2</sup>
|currency_code = EUR
|country_code = MLT
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|drives_on = left
|cctld = ] <sup>3</sup>
|calling_code = ]
|GDP_nominal_year = 2008
|GDP_nominal = $8.370 billion<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_rank =
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $20,280<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =
|religion = ]
|percent_religion = 98<!--CIA World Factbook, August 2006. See external links.-->
|national_bird = ]
|national_plant = ]
|national_tree = ]
|national_poet = ]
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> Total population includes foreign residents. Maltese residents population estimate at end 2004 was 389,769. All official population data provided by the NSO.<ref>http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=1653</ref><br/><sup>2</sup>Before 2008: ]<br/><sup>3</sup> Also ], shared with other ] member states.
}}

'''Malta''' {{Audio-IPA|en-us-Malta.ogg|/ˈmɔːltə/}}, officially the '''Republic of Malta''' ({{lang-mt|Repubblika ta' Malta}}), is a ] ] ]an ] and consists of an ] situated centrally in the ], 93&nbsp;km south of ] and 288&nbsp;km north-east of ], with ] 1,826&nbsp;km to the west and ] 1,510&nbsp;km to the east.<ref>http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/islands/location.asp</ref>

Malta covers just over 300&nbsp;km² in land area, making it one of Europe's ] and ] ] countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traveltips24.com/European_Microstates.htm |title=European Microstates hotels, youth hostels, nightlife. European Microstates culture, tourist attractions, souvenirs. European Microstates travel tips, flights |publisher=Traveltips24.com |date=22 December 2008 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/adco/1998/00000020/00000001/00135717#aff_1 |title=IngentaConnect Career guidance in Malta: A Mediterranean microstate in transitio |publisher=Ingentaconnect.com |date=16 June 2006 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/offbeat-news/the-microstate-environmental-world-cup-malta-vs-san-marino/613 |title=The Microstate Environmental World Cup: Malta vs. San Marino |publisher=Environmentalgraffiti.com|date=15 December 2007 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> Its ''de facto'' capital is ] and the largest city is ]. ] is the national language and a co-official language, alongside ].

Throughout history, Malta's location has given it great strategic importance<ref>{{cite news|url=http://home.wanadoo.nl/bezver/introduc.html|publisher=A History of Malta|title=Situation|date=6 February 2008}}</ref> and a sequence of powers including the ]ns, ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] have all ruled the islands. Malta gained ] from the ] in 1964 and became a Republic in 1974, whilst retaining membership in the ]. It is a ] of the ] (since 1964) and a ] of the ] (since 2004). Malta is also party to the ] (since 2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/snapshot2007/travel/travel_en.htm|title=Europe and you in 2007, Passport-free travel extended|author=European Commission|accessdate=21 December 2007}}</ref> and member of the ] (since 2008).

Malta has a long ] legacy and is an ]. According to the ],<ref>({{bibleref|Acts|27:39-42}}; {{bibleref|Acts|28:1-11}})</ref> ] was shipwrecked on an island , which some scholars have identified as Malta , and ministered there.<ref name="doi.gov.mt">http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/islands/dates.asp</ref> ] continues to be the official and dominant ].<ref>{{cite web | author = Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) | title= Malta | work=] | url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mt.html| accessdate=September 6, 2006}}</ref><ref>, </ref> Malta is known for its ]s,<ref name=Unesco>{{cite web | title= Megalithic Temples of Malta| url= http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/132|accessdate=16 September 2008}}</ref> most prominently the ] which are the oldest free-standing structures in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/malta/ |title=The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Temples of Malta |publisher=Bradshawfoundation.com |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otsf.org/ |title=Malta Temples and The OTS Foundation |publisher=Otsf.org |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>David Trump et al., Malta Before History (2004: Miranda Publishers)</ref>

==Etymology==
The origin of the term "Malta" is uncertain, and the modern-day variation derives from the ]. The most common ] derives from the ] word μέλι (''meli''), 'honey'. The Greeks called the island Μελίτη (''Melite'') meaning "]-sweet," possibly due to Malta's unique production of honey; an ] species of ] lives on the island, giving it the popular nickname the "land of honey."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2003/06/29/l7.html|publisher=Malta Today|title=Controversy over unique Maltese bee population|date=6 February 2008}}</ref> The Romans went on to call the island ''Melita.''<ref name="malticross"/> Another etymology is the ] word ���������� ''Maleth'', the Phoenician name for the islands, meaning "a haven"<ref>{{cite book |last=Pickles |first=Tim | title = Malta 1565: Last Battle of the Crusades |publisher=Osprey Publishing |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0LuvbRQ78sIC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=Maleth+Malta+haven&source=web&ots=PGO2OF9Y9I&sig=rcodiMbexlDy5YwMXhelH7zEYyw |isbn=978-1855326033}}</ref> in reference to Malta's many bays and coves.

== History ==
{{Main|History of Malta|Timeline of Maltese history}}

===Prehistory===
{{See also|Megalithic Temples of Malta|Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni|Għar Dalam|Heritage Malta}}

] ], discovered in ]]]
Pottery found by archeologists at ] resembles that found in Italy, and suggests that the Maltese islands were first settled in 5200 BC mainly by stone age hunters or farmers who had arrived from the larger island of ], possibly the ]. The extinction of the ] and ] has been linked to the earliest arrival of humans on Malta.<ref>, A. Mifsud, C. Savona-Ventura, S. Mifsud</ref> The most probable means by which people came to Malta was by using rafts. When they came to Malta they first settled in caves, such as ], and later built huts.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

The Sicani were the only tribe known to have inhabited the island at this time<ref name="gozo">{{cite news|url=http://www.islandofgozo.org/history.htm|publisher=IslandofGozo.org|title=Gozo|date=7 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.localhistories.org/malta.html|publisher=LocalHistories.org|title=Brief History of Malta|date=7 October 2007}}</ref> and are generally regarded as related to the ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Anthon| first =Charles| title =A Classical Dictionary: Containing an Account of the Principal Proper Names| publisher =New York Public Library| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=3iQQAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA1232&dq=sicani#PRA1-PA1231,M1}}</ref> The population on Malta grew ], raised ] and, in common with other ancient Mediterranean cultures, worshiped a ] represented in Maltese prehistoric artifacts as exhibiting the large proportions seen in similar statuettes, including the ].

] ] ] complex]]

]]]
Pottery from the ] phase is similar to pottery found in ], Sicily. A culture of ] temple builders then either supplanted or arose from this early period. During 3500 BC, these people built some of the oldest existing, free-standing structures in the world in the form of the megalithic ] temples on ];<ref name=otsf>{{cite web|url=http://www.otsf.org/ |title=Old Temples Study Foundation |publisher=OTSF |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> other early temples include those at ] and ].<ref>{{cite book | last =Sheehan| first =Sean | title =Malta| publisher =Marshall Cavendish| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=LRGrRy7S750C&pg=PA87&dq=%C4%A6a%C4%A1ar+Qim+and+Mnajdra&sig=ACfU3U1ozj76aQDaWbOpgv4EsJxWGi8jgg| isbn=0761409939}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpg/malta/arch.html |title=Aberystwyth, The University of Wales |publisher=Users.aber.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>David Trump et al., ''Malta Before History'' (2004: Miranda Publishers)</ref>

The temples have a distinctive architecture, typically a complex trefoil design, and were used from 4000–2500 BC. Animal bones and a knife found behind a removable altar stone suggest that temple rituals included ]. Tentative information suggests that the sacrifices were made to the goddess of fertility, whose statue is now in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.<ref>http://www.visitmalta.com/museum-of-archaeology</ref> The culture apparently disappeared from the Maltese Islands around 2500 BC. Archeologists speculate that the temple builders fell victim to famine or disease; war is an unlikely cause as archeology has yielded little or no evidence of weapons.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}. Others have speculated on the links between this event and ]'s account of the disappearance of ].

Another interesting archeological feature of the Maltese islands often attributed to these ancient builders, are equidistant uniform grooves dubbed "cart tracks" or "cart ruts" which can be found in several locations throughout the islands with the most prominent being those found in an area of Malta named "Clapham Junction". These may have been caused by wooden-wheeled carts eroding soft limestone.<ref></ref><ref>Mottershead, Derek; Alastair Pearson & Martin Schaefer "The cart ruts of Malta: an applied geomorphology approach" ''Antiquity'' Vol 82:318, 2008 pp 1065-1079 (pdf)</ref>

After 2500 BC, the Maltese Islands were depopulated for several decades until the arrival of a new influx of ] immigrants, a culture that ] its dead and introduced smaller megalithic structures called ] to Malta.<ref>Daniel Cilia, . Retrieved 28 January 2007.</ref>

===Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans===
{{See also|Magna Graecia|Phoenicia|Ancient Rome|Sicilia (Roman province)|Byzantine Empire}}

Around 700 BC, the ] settled on Malta, especially around the area where ] now stands.<ref name="ndmh">{{cite news|url=http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/islands/dates.asp|publisher=Department of Information - Maltese Government|title=Notable dates in Malta's history|date=6 February 2008}}</ref> A century later, ]n traders,<ref name="ndmh" /> who used the islands as a stop on their trade routes from the eastern ] to ], joined the natives on the island.<ref>{{cite book | last = Owen| first =Charles | title =The Maltese Islands| publisher =Praeger| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=OhRCAAAAIAAJ&q=malta+Phoenician++%22trading+post%22&dq=malta+Phoenician++%22trading+post%22&pgis=1}}</ref> The Phoenicians inhabited the area now known as ], and its surrounding town of ], which they called ''Maleth''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edrichton.com/MdinaHistory.htm |title=History of Mdina |publisher=Edrichton.com |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> The ], who also lived in Mdina, referred to it (and the island) as ''Melita''.<ref name="malticross">{{cite book | last = Castillo| first = Dennis Angelo | title =The Maltese Cross: A Strategic History of Malta| publisher =Greenwood Publishing Group| url =http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=i5ns5LNtoiUC&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=MALTA+sEMPRONIUS&source=web&ots=JHcfabryVa&sig=cXCtKu3apl5Y2y7OEhaMvt1CMM0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA25,M1|isbn=0313323291}}</ref>

] mosaic from ].]]
After the fall of ], in 400 BC the area came under the control of ], a former Phoenician colony.<ref name="maltihist">{{cite book | last = Terterov| first = Marat | title =Doing Business with Malta| publisher =GMB Publishing Ltd| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=kc7DO3TZEYcC&pg=PA4&dq=malta+Phoenician++%22trading+post%22&sig=ACfU3U2Sm0qNg7diIWAe4mLI4LUqiRKNgA#PPA4,M1|isbn=1905050631}}</ref> During this time the people on Malta mainly cultivated ] and ], and produced ].<ref name="maltihist"/>

During the ] of 218 BC, tensions led the Maltese people to rebel against Carthage and turn control of their garrison over to the ] consul ].<ref name="malticross"/> Malta remained loyal to Rome during the ] and the Romans rewarded it with the title '']'', a designation that meant it was exempt from paying ] or the rule of ], although at this time it fell within the jurisdiction of ].<ref name="malticross"/>

By 117 AD, the ] were a thriving part of the ], being promoted to the status of '']'' under ].<ref name="malticross"/> ] in ] testify to an early Christian community on the islands, and the ] recount the shipwreck of ] and his ministry on the island (see ]).

When the Roman Empire split into Eastern and Western divisions in the 4th century, Malta fell under the control of the Greek speaking ] from 395 to 870,<ref name="ndmh" /> which ruled from ].<ref name="ruff">{{cite book | last = Borg| first = Victor Paul | title =The Rough Guide to Malta & Gozo| publisher =Rough Guides| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=o1QO1Tk-FsMC&pg=PA331&dq=byzantine+malta&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U38b0XhbN8wTPyxs2tPEX0RbyVg9w|isbn=1858286808}}</ref> Although Malta was under Byzantine rule for four centuries, not much is known from this period. There is evidence that ], including the ] and ], briefly took control of the islands before the Byzantines launched a counter attack and retook Malta.<ref name="ruff"/>

===Middle Ages===
{{See also|Byzantine-Arab Wars|Emirate of Sicily|Kingdom of Sicily|Crown of Aragon}}
] returned Malta to Christian rule.]]
].]]
Malta was involved in the ], and the conquest of Malta is closely linked with that of Sicily due to admiral ]' betrayal of his fellow Byzantines, requesting that the ] dynasty invade the area.<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=7 October 2007}}</ref> As part of the ], rule switched to the ]s in 909.<ref name="gozmalt">{{cite book | last = Bain| first =Carolyn | title =Malta & Gozo| publisher =Lonely Planet| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=lqHLlLsgi1IC&pg=PA22&dq=malta+arab&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U3QDGMLZFGwiilmVB0bB-Nfsq8X9w|isbn=174059178X}}</ref> The Arabs introduced new ], some ]s and ] and the ] language was adopted on the island from Sicily and Southern Italy: it would eventually evolve into the ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Wilson| first =Andrew | title =Corpus Linguistics Around the World| publisher =Rodopi| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=jIP9WiIOtKYC&pg=PA64&dq=Siculo-Arabic+Maltese&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U0ANaOtExtwNoXiIbN9koijAKe_9A|isbn=9042018364}}</ref>

The native Christians were allowed ] but had to pay ].<ref name="gozmalt"/> The ], as part of their ], took Malta in 1091.<ref name="malticross"/> The local Christians warmly welcomed the arrival of ] and offered to fight for him; in response to this, Roger reportedly tore off a portion of his checkered red-and-white banner and presented it to the ], forming the basis of the present-day ].<ref name="malticross"/>

] map of Malta, by ]]]
The Norman period was productive; Malta became part of the newly formed ] which also covered the island of Sicily and the southern half of the ].<ref name="malticross"/> The ] was re-instated as the state religion with Malta under the ] and much ] sprung up around Malta especially in its ancient capital ].<ref name="malticross"/> ], the last Norman monarch, made Malta a ] or ] within the kingdom and a ] instated. As the islands were much desired due to their strategic importance, it was during this time the men of Malta were ] to fend off capture attempts; the early counts were skilled ] ]s.<ref name="malticross"/>

The kingdom passed on to the ] from 1194 until 1266. Malta was part of the ] for 72 years. Malta was declared a county and a marquisate, but its trade was totally ruined. For a long time it remained solely a fortified ].<ref>Montgomery Martin, Robert. , W. H. Allen, 1843, p 569 {{quote|Malta remained for 72 years subject of the emperors of Germany. The island was after the period of Count Roger of the Normans afterwards given up to the Germans, on account of the marriage between Constance, heiress of Sicily, and Henry VI, son of the Emperor Friedrick Barbarossa. Malta was elevated to a county and a marquisate, but its trade was now totally ruined, and for a considerable period of it remained solely a fortified garrison.}}</ref> It was in ] under ] that all remaining Muslims were expelled from Malta<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aboutmalta.com/history/time-Line.htm|publisher=AboutMalta.com|title=Time-Line|date=7 October 2007}}</ref> or forced to convert<ref> Malta, Mediterranean bridge, Stefan Goodwin 2002. Page 31</ref><ref>http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080804/local/maltese-makeover</ref> and the entire Christian male population of ] in ] was deported to Malta.<ref name="malticross"/>

], the founder of ]]]

For a brief period the kingdom passed to the ], however high taxes made the dynasty unpopular in Malta, due in part to ]'s war against the ] and the island of Gozo was sacked in 1275.<ref name="malticross"/>
A large revolt on Sicily known as the ] followed these attacks, that saw the Peninsula separating into the ]; the Kingdom of Sicily, including Malta, then fell under the rule of the ].{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

Relatives of the ] ruled the island until 1409, when it passed to the ].]]cn}} Early on in the Aragonese reign the sons of the monarchy received the title, "Count of Malta". It was also during this time that much of the local nobility was created. However by 1397 the bearing of the title "Count of Malta" reverted to a feudal basis with two families fighting over the distinction, which caused much distress. This led the ] to abolish the title. Dispute over the title returned when the title was reinstated a few years later and the Maltese, led by the local nobility, rose up against Count Gonsalvo Monroy.<ref name="malticross"/> Although they opposed the Count, the Maltese voiced their loyalty to the ], which so impressed ] that he did not punish the people for their rebellion but promised never to grant the title to a third party, instead incorporating it back into the ]. The city of ] was given the title of ''Città Notabile'' as a result of this sequence of events.<ref name="malticross"/>

===Knights of Malta and Napoleon===
{{See also|Knights Hospitaller|Great Siege of Malta}}

] built in the ] style.]]
In 1530 ] gave the islands to the ] in perpetual lease. These knights, a military religious order now known as the ], had been driven out of ] by the ] in 1522. In 1551, ] enslaved the entire population of the Maltese island ], about 5,000, sending them to ]. The knights withstood a full-blown ] in 1565, at the time the greatest naval power in the Mediterranean. The knights, fighting alongside the Maltese, were victorious and speaking of the battle ] said, "Nothing is more well known than the siege of Malta".<ref>Fernand Braudel, The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II, vol. II ( University of California Press: Berkeley, 1995).</ref>

After the siege they decided to increase Malta's ]s, particularly in the inner-harbour area, where the new city of ], named in honour of ] ], was built. They also established ]s along the coasts - the ], ], and ] - named after the Grand Masters who ordered the work. The Knights' presence on the island saw the completion of many architectural and cultural projects, including the embellishment of ], the construction of new cities including ] and ] and the introduction of new academic and social resources. Approximately 11,000 people out of a population of 70,000 died of ] in 1675.<ref>. Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs.</ref>

]'', by ]. Oil on canvas, {{convert||361|x|520|cm|0|abbr=on}}. Oratory of the ].]]
The Knights' reign ended when ] captured Malta on the way to ] during the ] in 1798. As a ruse, Napoleon asked for safe harbour to resupply his ships. Once safely inside Valletta's harbour he turned his guns against his hosts. ] ] capitulated and Napoleon stayed in Malta for a few days, during which time he systematically looted many movable assets of the island and established an administration controlled by his nominees. He then sailed for Egypt, leaving behind a substantial garrison.

The occupying French forces were deeply unpopular with the Maltese,<ref name="catalogue.nla.gov.au">http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2147071 The French in Malta, 1798-1800 / Carmel Testa</ref> due particularly to the French forces' hostility towards Catholicism.<ref name="catalogue.nla.gov.au"/> The French financial and religious policies angered the Maltese who rebelled, forcing the French to retreat within the city fortifications. Great Britain, along with the ] and the ], sent ammunition and aid to the Maltese and Britain also sent ], which blockaded the islands.

General ] surrendered his French forces in 1800. Maltese leaders presented the island to Sir ], asking that the island become a British ]. The Maltese people created a Declaration of Rights in which they agreed to come "under the protection and sovereignty of the King of the free people, His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". The Declaration also stated that "his Majesty has no right to cede these Islands to any power...if he chooses to withdraw his protection, and abandon his sovereignty, the right of electing another sovereign, or of the governing of these Islands, belongs to us, the inhabitants and aborigines alone, and without control."<ref>{{cite book | last=Holland | first=James | title=Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940-1943 | publisher=Miramax Books | year=2003 | isbn=1-4013-5186-7}}</ref>

===British Empire and World War II===
{{Main|Siege of Malta (World War II)}}
] during the ], 1942.]]
In 1814, as part of the ], Malta officially became a part of the ] and was used as a shipping way-station and fleet headquarters. Malta's position half-way between ] and the ] proved to be its main asset during these years and it was considered an important stop on the way to India. In 1919 British troops fired on a rally protesting against new taxes, killing four Maltese men. This led to increased resistance and support for the ] parties that had challenged the British presence on the island{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}. The event, known as ] (Italian for ''7 June''), is commemorated every year.

In the early 1930s the British ], which was at that time the main contributor to commerce on the island, moved to ] as an economic measure.

During ], Malta played an important role owing to its proximity to ] shipping lanes. The bravery of the Maltese people during the second ] moved ] to award the ] to Malta on a collective basis on 15 April 1942 "to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history". Some historians argue that the award caused Britain to incur disproportionate losses in defending Malta, as British credibility would have suffered if Malta surrendered, as ] had.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Siege of Malta in World War Two |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/siege_malta_06.shtml | accessdate=15 April 2007}}</ref> A replica of the George Cross now appears in the upper hoist corner of the ]. The collective award remained unique until April 1999, when the ] became the second{{ndash}} and, to date, the only other{{ndash}} recipient of a collective George Cross.

===Independence and Republic===
Malta achieved its independence on 21 September 1964 (]). Under its 1964 ], Malta initially retained Queen ] as ] and thus ], with a ] exercising ] authority on her behalf. On 13 December 1974 (]) Malta became a ] within the ], with the ] as ]. A defence agreement signed soon after independence (and re-negotiated in 1972) expired on 31 March 1979 (]), under the prime minister ].

On that day British military forces departed and Admiral Sir John Hamilton GBE, Commander in Chief of the Eastern Mediterranean fleet, lowered the ] for the last time. The Maltese then raised the Maltese flag over the Freedom Monument in ], to the sound of the first playing of Malta's national anthem. Malta adopted a policy of ] in 1980 and was a member of the ] until 2004. In 1989, Malta was the venue of a ] between US President ] and Soviet leader ], their first face-to-face encounter, which signaled the end of the ].

Malta joined the ] on 1 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm|title=The History of the European Union - 2000-today|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref> Following the European Council of 21 June to 22 June 2007 it joined the ] on 1 January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836|title=Cyprus and Malta set to join eurozone in 2008|date=16 May 2007|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref>

== Government and politics==
]]]
{{Main|Politics of Malta|Government of Malta}}
Malta is a ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legal-malta.com/law/constitution-1.htm|title=Chapter 1 / The Republic of Malta / Maltese Constitution|work=Constitution of Malta Act, 1964|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref> whose ] and ] is closely modeled on the ]. Malta had the second highest ] in the world (and the highest for nations without ]), based on election turnout in national ] elections from 1960 to 1995.<ref>Mark N. Franklin. "Electoral Participation." in ''Controversies in Voting Behavior''</ref> The ] ], (Maltese: ''Il-Kamra tad- Deputati''), is elected by direct universal suffrage through ] every five years, unless the House is dissolved earlier by the ] on advice of the ].

The House of Representatives is made up of sixty-five ]. However, where a party wins an absolute majority of votes, but does not have a majority of seats, that party is given additional seats to ensure a parliamentary majority. The ] provides that the President appoint as Prime Minister the member of the House who is best able to command a (governing) majority in the House.

The ] is elected every five years by the House of Representatives. The role of the president as head of state is largely ceremonial. The main political parties are the ], which is a ] party, and the ], with ] as its leader, which is a ] party. The Nationalist Party is currently at the helm of the government, the Prime Minister being ]. The Labour Party is in opposition. There are a number of smaller political parties in Malta that presently have no parliamentary representation.

Until ] Maltese politics was dominated by the ] fought out by ] and ] parties.<ref> at www.maltavoyager.com</ref> Post-War politics dealt with constitutional questions on the relations with Britain (first with ] then ]) and, eventually, relations with the ].
] of Malta]]

===Local government===
{{Main|Local councils of Malta}}
Since 1993 Malta has been divided into 68 elected ]s, with each council responsible for the administration of cities or regions of varying sizes. Administrative responsibility is distributed between the local councils and the central government in ]. There are no intermediate levels between local government and national government and the levels of the six districts (five on the main island) and of the three regions (two on the main island) serve primarily statistical purposes.

The Local Councils Act, 1993 (Act XV of 1993) was published on 30 June 1993, subdividing Malta into 54 local councils in Malta and 14 in ]. The inhabitants who are registered elect the council every three years, as voters in the Local Councils' Electoral Register. Elections are held by means of the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote. The ] is the head of the local council and the representative of the Council for all effects under the Act.

The Executive Secretary, who is appointed by the council, is the executive, administrative, and financial head of the council. All decisions are taken collectively with the other members of the council. Local councils are responsible for the general upkeep and embellishment of the locality, allocation of local wardens and refuse collection; they also carry out general administrative duties for the central government such as collection of government rents and funds and answer government-related public inquiries.

== Geography ==
]

{{Main|Geography of Malta}}
Malta is an ] in the central ] (in its eastern basin), some {{convert|93|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} south of the Italian island of ] across the ]. Only the three largest islands — ] (Malta), ] (Għawdex), and ] (Kemmuna) — are inhabited. The smaller islands (see below) are uninhabited. The islands of the archipelago were formed from the high points of a ] between ] and ] that became isolated as sea levels rose after the last ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reading.ac.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=12783&sID=48883|title=Island Landscape Dynamics: Examples from the Mediterranean|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> The archipelago lies on the edge of the African tectonic plate where it meets the Eurasian plate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earth.geology.yale.edu/RETREAT/maps/Mediterranean%20map2001sheet1%20tectonics&kinematics.jpg|title=Geodynamic Map of the Mediterranean|author=Commission for the Geological Map of the World|accessdate=28 November 2008}}</ref>

]]]

Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape consists of low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is ] on Malta Island at {{convert|253|m|ft|0|lk=out}} near ]. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes on Malta. However, some watercourses have fresh water running all year round at ], l-Imtaħleb and San Martin, and at Lunzjata Valley in Gozo.

], Malta belongs to the Liguro-Tyrrhenian province of the ] within the ]. According to the ], the territory of Malta belongs to the ] of "Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands and Scrub".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/mediterranean_forests_scrub.cfm | title=Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands and Scrub - A Global Ecoregion | publisher=Panda.org | accessdate=28 November 2008}}</ref>

The south of Malta is not ]; that distinction belongs to the Greek island of ].

===The Maltese archipelago===

The minor islands that form part of the ] are uninhabited and include:

{{col-start}}{{col-break}}
* Barbaganni Rock
* ], (''Kemmunett'')
* Delmarva Island
* ]
* Fessej Rock
* ], (''Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral'')
* Għallis Rock
* Halfa Rock
* Large Blue Lagoon Rocks
{{col-break}}
* ]/Selmunett Island
* ], which connects to the town of ], on the mainland, via a bridge
* Mistra Rocks
* Tac-Cawl Rock
* Qawra Point/Ta` Fraben Island
* Small Blue Lagoon Rocks
* Sala Rock
* Xrob l-Għaġin Rock

{{col-end}}

===Climate===
The climate is ] (] Csa) / ] <ref> - Geographic location</ref><ref>, Department of Information - Malta.</ref>, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. There is no real thermal dormant season for plants, although plant growth can be checked briefly by abnormal cold in winter (patches of ground frost may occur in inland locales), and summer heat and aridity may cause vegetation to wilt. Effectively there are only two seasons, which makes the islands attractive for tourists, especially during the drier months. However, strong winds can make Malta feel cold during the springtime.

]
Water supply poses a problem on Malta, as the summer is both rainless and the time of greatest water use, and the winter rainfall often falls as heavy showers running off to the sea rather than soaking into the ground. Malta depends on underground reserves of fresh water, drawn through a system of water tunnels called the Ta' Kandja galleries, which average about 97&nbsp;m below surface and extend like the spokes of a wheel. In the galleries in Malta's porous limestone, fresh water lies in a lens upon brine. More than half the potable water of Malta is produced by ], which creates further issues of fossil fuel use and pollution.<ref> 4 April 2007</ref> Average water temperatures range from {{convert|16|°C|°F}} in January to as high as {{convert|26|°C|°F}} in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltaclimate.com |title=Malta Weather and Climate |publisher=Malta Climate |date= |accessdate=5 June 2009}}</ref>

Average number of days above {{convert|21|°C|°F|1}} is 189, average number of days above {{convert|32|°C|°F|1}} is 15. Average morning ]: 82%, average evening relative humidity: 64%<ref></ref>

The lowest temperature ever recorded at Valletta was on 19 February 1895, with {{Convert|1.2|°C|°F|1}}, and the highest temperature was {{Convert|43.8|°C|°F|1}} recorded in August 1999 at Luqa International Airport. An unofficial lowest temperature of {{Convert|-1.7|°C|°F|1}} was recorded on 1 February 1962 in the ] airfield with snow on the ground.

Snow is virtually unheard of, with very few and brief snow flurries recorded in February 1895, January 1905 and 31 January 1962. No accumulation has been reported on the coast at least since 1800, but on the last day of January 1962 snow briefly covered some parts of the interior of the main island. The following night the only frost in the history of Malta was recorded in the ] airfield.

{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first=yes
|single_line=yes
|location=Malta
|Jan_Hi_°C = 15.2
|Feb_Hi_°C = 15.5
|Mar_Hi_°C = 16.7
|Apr_Hi_°C = 19.1
|May_Hi_°C = 23.3
|Jun_Hi_°C = 27.5
|Jul_Hi_°C = 30.7
|Aug_Hi_°C = 30.7
|Sep_Hi_°C = 28.0
|Oct_Hi_°C = 24.2
|Nov_Hi_°C = 20.1
|Dec_Hi_°C = 16.7
|Year_Hi_°C = 22.3
|Jan_Lo_°C = 9.2
|Feb_Lo_°C = 9.3
|Mar_Lo_°C = 10.1
|Apr_Lo_°C = 11.9
|May_Lo_°C = 14.9
|Jun_Lo_°C = 18.4
|Jul_Lo_°C = 21.0
|Aug_Lo_°C = 21.8
|Sep_Lo_°C = 20.1
|Oct_Lo_°C = 17.1
|Nov_Lo_°C = 13.9
|Dec_Lo_°C = 11.0
|Year_Lo_°C = 14.89
|Jan_MEAN_°C = 12.2
|Feb_MEAN_°C = 12.4
|Mar_MEAN_°C = 13.4
|Apr_MEAN_°C = 15.5
|May_MEAN_°C = 19.1
|Jun_MEAN_°C = 22.95
|Jul_MEAN_°C = 25.85
|Aug_MEAN_°C = 26.25
|Sep_MEAN_°C = 24.05
|Oct_MEAN_°C = 20.65
|Nov_MEAN_°C = 17.0
|Dec_MEAN_°C = 13.85
|Year_MEAN_°C = 18.6
|Jan_Precip_days = 13.7
|Feb_Precip_days = 10.9
|Mar_Precip_days = 8.9
|Apr_Precip_days = 6.4
|May_Precip_days = 2.8
|Jun_Precip_days = 1.1
|Jul_Precip_days = 0.4
|Aug_Precip_days = 1.0
|Sep_Precip_days = 3.9
|Oct_Precip_days = 10.2
|Nov_Precip_days = 10.6
|Dec_Precip_days = 14.2
|Year_Precip_days = 84.1
|Jan_Precip_cm = 8.90
|Feb_Precip_cm = 6.13
|Mar_Precip_cm = 4.09
|Apr_Precip_cm = 2.25
|May_Precip_cm = 0.66
|Jun_Precip_cm = 0.32
|Jul_Precip_cm = 0.04
|Aug_Precip_cm = 0.70
|Sep_Precip_cm = 4.04
|Oct_Precip_cm = 8.97
|Nov_Precip_cm = 8.0
|Dec_Precip_cm = 11.23
|Year_Precip_cm = 55.33
|source = ] (])<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.worldweather.org/012/c00042.htm
|title=Weather Information for Malta
|dateformat=mdy
|accessdate=}}</ref>
|accessdate = }}

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Malta}}

Until 1800 Malta depended on ], ] and its shipyards for exports. After the British arrived, they came to depend on the ] for support of the ], especially during the ] of 1854. The military base benefited craftsmen and all those who served the military.

In 1869 the opening of the ] gave Malta's economy a great boost, as there was a massive increase in the shipping which entered the port. Ships stopping at Malta's docks for refuelling helped the ] trade, which brought additional benefits to the island.

However, towards the end of the 19th century the economy began declining, and by the 1940s Malta's economy was in serious crisis. One factor was the longer range of newer merchant ships that required less frequent refuelling stops.
]

Presently, Malta’s major resources are ], a favourable geographic location and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade (serving as a freight trans-shipment point), manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles) and tourism. Tourism infrastructure has increased dramatically over the years and a number of good-quality hotels are present on the island, although overdevelopment and the destruction of traditional housing is of growing concern. An increasing number of Maltese now travel abroad on holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=57309|title=More Maltese travel abroad|work=The Malta Independent|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref> Although they are still a net importer of tourism, the ratio of inbound tourists to outbound tourists is decreasing. The popular '']'' enterprise was established on the island in 1968 by Michael Harris, a former tutor at the UK's ].

] is a growing contributor to the Maltese economy, with several big-budget foreign films shooting in Malta each year. The country has increased the exports of many other types of services such as banking and finance.

The government is investing heavily in education, including college.

Malta has recently ] some state-controlled firms and liberalised markets in order to prepare for membership in the ], which it joined on 1 May 2004. For example, the government announced on 8 January 2007 that it is selling its 40% stake in Maltapost, in order to complete a privatisation process which has been ongoing for the past five years.

Malta and ] are currently discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for petroleum exploration.

Malta does not have a property tax.

According to ] data, Maltese PPS GDP per capita stood at 76 per cent of the EU average in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-25062009-BP/EN/2-25062009-BP-EN.PDF|title=GDP per capita in PPS|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=25 June 2009}}</ref>

Malta's representative in Brussels, Joe Borg, has recently courted controversy{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} by opposing a ban on the sale of ], an increasingly rare fish that sells in Japan for tens of thousands of pounds per fish. Malta's bluefin tuna industry, which employs 1,000 of the country's 400,000 citizens, is worth €100m (£87m) a year in revenue to the island.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}
=== Money and banking ===
The ] (Bank Ċentrali ta' Malta), has two key areas of responsibility: the formulation and implementation of monetary policy and the promotion of a sound and efficient financial system. It was established by the Central Bank of Malta Act on 17 April 1968. The Maltese government entered ] on 4 May 2005, and adopted the ] as the country's currency on 1 January 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6288084.stm|title=Cyprus and Malta to adopt euros|date=10 July 2007|work=BBC News Business|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref>

==== Currency ====

{{Main|Maltese euro coins|Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Malta)}}

] feature the ] on €2 and €1 coins, the ] on the €0.50, €0.20 and €0.10 coins, and the ] Temples on the €0.05, €0.02 and €0.01 coins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymalta.com/wt/2006/06/maltese-cross-on-euro-coins.shtml|title= Maltese Cross on the Euro coins|work=Malta Media|date=12 June 2006|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref>

Malta has already produced collectors' coins with face value ranging from 10 to 50 euro. These coins continue an existing national practice of minting of silver and gold commemorative coins. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not legal tender in all the eurozone. For instance, a €10 Maltese commemorative coin cannot be used in any other country.

From 1972 until introduction of the Euro in 2008, the currency was the ], which had replaced the ]. The pound replaced the ] in 1798.

==== Banking ====
The two largest (and oldest) banks in the country are ] and ], both of which can trace their origins back to the 19th Century. Malta is also home to an international financial center with several foreign offshore banks.

== Healthcare ==
Malta has a long history of providing ]. The first hospital recorded in the country was already functioning by 1372.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/2615/medhist/hospital2.htm |title=Civil Hospitals In Malta In The Last Two Hundred Years |publisher=Geocities.com |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>
Today, Malta has both a public healthcare system, known as the government healthcare service, where healthcare is free at the point of delivery, and a ] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahha.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=156 |title=The Health Care System in Malta_1 |publisher=Sahha.gov.mt |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.mt/servicecluster.asp?s=4&l=2 |title=Government Of Malta - Health Services |publisher=Gov.mt |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> Malta has a strong general practitioner-delivered primary care base and the public hospitals provide secondary and tertiary care. The Maltese Ministry of Health advises foreign residents to take out private medical insurance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alloexpat.com/moving_to_malta_forum/healthcare-in-malta-t162.html |title=HEALTHCARE IN MALTA - Allo' Expat Malta |publisher=Alloexpat.com |date=17 October 2006 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>

Malta was ranked number five in the ]'s ranking of the world's health systems,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html |title=The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems |publisher=Photius.com |date= |accessdate=8 July 2009}}</ref> compared to the ] (at 37), ] (at 32), ] (at 18) and ] (at 30). The healthcare system in Malta closely resembles the British system,<ref name="ph">{{cite web |author=info@icon.com.mt |url=http://www.stphilips.com.mt/StPhilips/hospital.asp |title=St. Philip's Hospital - A modern 75-bed hospital equipped with the latest medical technology - Malta |publisher=Stphilips.com.mt |date=2 July 2004 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> as healthcare is free at the point of delivery.

=== Hospitals ===
{{Main|List of hospitals in Malta}}

The recently completed ] is Malta's primary hospital, and one of the largest medical buildings in Europe. Several other government hospitals in Malta are:
*Paul Boffa Hospital, an oncology hospital in Valletta.
*St Vincent De Paule Hospital, a geriatrics hospital.
*Gozo General Hospital, the only hospital found in Gozo.

In addition, Malta has three major private hospitals:
*], with a capacity of 75 beds, is in Santa Venera.
*] (the former Capua Palace Hospital), with 80 beds, is in Sliema.
*St James Hospital has several sites, including a 13 bed unit in Zabbar, as well as a partner hospital in ].

St Mark's Clinic, in Msida, with a capacity of 5 beds, also offers some private hospital services.<ref name="ph"/>

]]]
The ] has a ], and an Institute of ]. The latter offering diploma, (BSc)degree and postgraduate degree courses in a number of ] disciplines.

The ] represents practitioners of the medical profession. ] is a separate body representing Maltese medical students, and is a member of ] and ]. ], the Maltese Institute for Medical Education, is an institute set up recently to provide CME to doctors in Malta as well as medical students. The ] followed in the UK is to be introduced in Malta in order to stem the 'brain drain' of medical students to the British Isles. ], the Malta Association of Dental Students, is a student association set up to promote the rights of Dental Surgery Students studying within the faculty of Dental Surgery of the University of Malta. It is affiliated with ], the International Association of Dental Students.

=== Medical tourism ===
In recent years, Malta has advertised itself as a ] destination,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=61027 |title=Independent Online |publisher=Independent.com.mt |date=26 March 2009 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> and a number of ]s are developing the industry. However, no Maltese hospital has undergone independent ]. Malta is popular with British medical tourists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treatmentabroad.net/medical-tourism/news/november-2007/malta-popular-with-uk-medical-tourists |title=Malta popular with UK medical tourists |publisher=Treatmentabroad.net |date=2 May 2008 |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2009}}</ref> pointing Maltese hospitals towards seeking UK-sourced accreditation, such as with the ]. Dual accreditation with the American-orientated ] is necessary if hospitals in Malta wish to compete with the Far East and Latin America for medical tourists from the United States.

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Malta}}

=== Population ===
], Malta's historical capital city]]
A census of population and housing is held every ten years. The last census was held in November 2005, and managed to count an estimated 96% of the population. A preliminary report was issued in April 2006, and results were weighted to an estimate for 100% of the population.

Native ] make up the majority of the island. However there are minorities, the largest of which are ], many of whom retired to Malta.
<!--Note to Editors: All information, INCLUDING COMMENTARY, is from 2005 census except where indicated. Location for verification and for updating on next year's demographic review are commented.-->The resident population of Malta, which includes foreigners residing in Malta for at least a year, as of 27 November 2005 was estimated at 404,039 of whom 200,715 (49.7%) were male and 203,324 (50.3%) were female<!--Table 2: Population and sex ratio: 1842-2005-->. Of these, 17.1 per cent were aged 14 and under, 68.2 per cent were within the 15–64 age bracket whilst the remaining 13.7 per cent were 65 years and over<!--Table 8: Total population by broad age group and locality as at 27 November 2005-->. Malta's ] of 1,282 per ] (3,322/]) <!--Table 6: Population density: 1995-2005-->is by far the highest in the EU<!--Table 15: Population density in Europe-->, and one of the ] in the world. The only census year showing a fall in population was that of 1967, with a 1.7% total decrease, attributable to a substantial number of Maltese residents who emigrated.<ref name="Census2005">{{cite book |authorlink=http://www.nso.gov.mt |title=Census of Population and Housing 2005: Preliminary Report |publisher=National Statistics Office |year=2005 |location=Valletta |url=http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=1653 |id=ISBN 978-99909-73-38-9}}</ref>

The Maltese-resident population for 2004 was estimated to make up 97.0% of the total resident population.<ref name="Demo2004"/>
Through all the censuses since 1842 there was always a slightly higher female-to-male ratio. Closest to reaching equality were 1901 and 1911 censuses<!-- (1000:1000 and 1003:1000 respectively)-->. The highest female-to-male ratio was reached in 1957 (1088:1000), and since the ratio has been constantly dropping. The 2005 census showed a 1013:1000 female-to-male ratio<!--Table 2: Population and sex ratio: 1842-2005-->.
Population growth has slowed down, from +9.5% between the 1985 and 1995 censuses, to +6.9% between the 1995 and 2005 censuses (a yearly average of +0.7%)<!--Commentary p. xvii & Chart 3: Percentage population change between censuses-->. The birth rate stood at 3860 (a decrease of 21.8% from the 1995 census) and the death rate stood at 3025. Thus, there was a natural population increase of 835 (compared to +888 for 2004, of which over a hundred were foreign residents).<ref name="NSO 20060711">{{cite press release |title=World Population Day - 2006: Special Observances |publisher=National Statistics Office |location=Valletta |date=10 July 2006 |url=http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=1719 |accessdate=12 July 2006}}</ref>

] illuminations]]
<!--May be used in any future section on the pension problem-->The population's age composition is similar to the age structure prevalent in the EU<!--Chart 11. Comparative distribution bet Malta and EU25-->. Since 1967 there was observed a trend indicating an aging population, and is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Malta's ] rose from 17.2% in 1995 to 19.8% in 2005, reasonably lower than the EU's 24.9% average. In fact, 31.5% of the Maltese population is aged under 25 (compared to the EU's 29.1%); but the 50-64 age group constitutes 20.3% of the population, significantly higher than the EU's 17.9%. In conclusion, Malta's old-age-dependency-ratio is expected to continue rising steadily in the coming years<!--Commentary p.xxvii-->.

Maltese legislation recognizes both civil and canonical (ecclesiastical) ]s. Annulments by the Ecclesiastes and civil courts are unrelated and are not necessarily granted. There is no ] legislation and ] in Malta is illegal. A person must be 16 to marry.<ref></ref> The number of brides aged under 25 decreased from 1471 in 1997 to 766 in 2005; while the number of grooms under 25 decreased from 823 to 311. There is a constant trend that females are more likely than males to marry young. In 2005 there were 51 brides aged between 16 and 19, compared to 8 grooms.<ref name="NSO 20060711"/>

Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Malta.. The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), founded in 2001, is a socio-political non-governmental organisation which has as its central focus the rights of the Maltese ].

At the end of 2007, the population of the Maltese Islands stood at 410,290 and is expected to reach 424,028 by 2025. At the moment, females slightly outnumber males, making up 50.3 per cent of the population. The largest proportion of persons{{ndash}} 7.5 per cent{{ndash}} were aged 25–29, while there were 7.3 percent falling into each of the 45-49 and 55-59 age brackets.<ref> at www.timesofmalta.com</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Malta}}
:''See also: ] section (below)''
The ] ({{lang-mt|Malti}}) is the constitutional ] of Malta. The Constitution also enshrines it as the country's official language, alongside English. Italian was the official language of Malta until 1934, when English and Maltese replaced it.

Maltese is a ] descended from ] (from ]).<ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2009}}</ref> The ] consists of 30 letters based on the ], including the ]ally altered letters '']'', '']'' and '']'', as well as the letters '']'', '']'', and '']''.

Maltese has substantial borrowing from ], Italian, a little French, and more recently, and increasingly, English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aboutmalta.com/grazio/study2.html|title=Evolution of the Maltese Language}}</ref> The language includes different dialects that can vary strongly from one town to another or from one island to the other.

The ] states that 100% of the population speaks Maltese. Also, 88% of the population speaks English, 66% speaks Italian, and 17% speaks French.<ref>http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf</ref> This widespread knowledge of ]s makes Malta one of the most multi-lingual countries in the ]. A study collecting public opinion on what language was "preferred" discovered that 86% of the population express a preference for Maltese, 12% for English, and 2% for Italian.<ref name=LinguisticView/> Still, Italian television channels from Italy-based broadcasters, such as ] and ], reach Malta and remain popular.<ref name=LinguisticView>Ignasi Badia i Capdevila; ; NovesSl; 2004; retrieved on 24 February 2008</ref><ref> BBC News; 10 January 2008; 21 February 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf |title=Europeans and languages |accessdate=29 January 2007 |year=2005 |month=September |format=PDF |publisher=European Commission |pages=4}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Malta}}

]]]
The Constitution of Malta declares ] as the state religion although ] for the freedom of religion are made. Freedom House and the World Factbook report that 98 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, making the nation one of the most Catholic countries in the world.

There are more than 360 churches in Malta, Gozo, and Comino, or one church for every 1,000 residents. The parish church (Maltese: ''"il-parroċċa"'', or ''"il-knisja parrokjali"'') is the architectural and geographic focal point of every Maltese town and village, and its main source of civic pride. This civic pride manifests itself in spectacular fashion during the local village '''festas''', which mark the day of the patron saint of each parish with marching bands, religious processions, special ], ] (especially ]), and other festivities.
] known as "Ir-Rotunda"]]

Malta is an ]; the ] tells of how ], on his way from Crete to Rome to face trial, was shipwrecked on an island which some scholars have identified as Malta, an episode dated around AD 60<ref name="doi.gov.mt"/>. The ] says ] spent three months on the island, curing the sick including the father of Publius, the "chief man of the island". Various traditions are associated with this account. The shipwreck is said to have occurred in the place today known as ]. ] is said to have been made Malta's first ] and a grotto in ], now known as "St Paul's Grotto" (and in the vicinity of which evidence of Christian burials and rituals from 3rd century AD has been found), is amongst the earliest known places of Christian worship on the island.

Further evidence of Christian practices and beliefs during the period of Roman persecution appears in ] that lie beneath various sites around Malta, including St Paul’s Catacombs and St Agatha’s Catacombs in ], just outside the walls of ]. The latter, in particular, were beautifully frescoed between 1200 and 1480, although marauding ] defaced many of them in the 1550s. There are also a number of cave churches, including the grotto at ], which is a Shrine of the Nativity of Our Lady where, according to legend, ] painted a picture of the ]. It has been a place of pilgrimage since ] times.

The Acts of the ] record that in 451 AD, a certain Acacius was Bishop of Malta (''Melitenus Episcopus''). It is also known that in 501 AD, a certain Constantinus, ''Episcopus Melitenensis'', was present at the ]. In 588 AD, ] deposed Tucillus, ''Miletinae civitatis episcopus'', and the clergy and people of Malta elected his successor Trajan in 599 AD. The last recorded Bishop of Malta before the invasion of the Islands was a Greek by the name of Manas, who was subsequently incarcerated at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09574a.htm |title='&#39;Catholic Encyclopedia'&#39; |publisher=Newadvent.org |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>

Maltese historian, ], states that following their conversion to Christianity at the hand of ], the Maltese retained their Christian religion, despite the ] invasion.<ref>G.F. Abela, ''Della Descrittione di Malta, (1647) Malta''.</ref> Abela's writings describe Malta as a divinely ordained "bulwark of Christian, European civilization against the spread of Mediterranean Islam".<ref>A. Luttrell, ''The Making of Christian Malta: From the Early Middle Ages to 1530'', Aldershot, Hants.: Ashgate Varorium, 2002.</ref> The native Christian community that welcomed ]<ref name="malticross"/> was further bolstered by immigration to Malta from Italy, in the 12th and 13th centuries.

] city centre Parish church]]
For centuries, the Church in Malta was subordinate to the ], except when it was under ], who appointed bishops for Malta, as did - on rare occasions - the Spanish and later, the Knights. Since 1808 all bishops of Malta have been Maltese. As a result of the ] and ] periods, and the rule of the Knights, Malta became the devout ] nation that it is today. It is worth noting that the Office of the ] had a very long tenure on the island following its establishment in 1530: the last Inquisitor departed from the Islands in 1798, after the Knights capitulated to the forces of ]. During the period of the ], several Maltese families emigrated to ]. Their descendants account for about two-thirds of the community of some 4000 Catholics that now live on that island.

The patron saints of Malta are ], ], ] and ]. Although not a patron saint, ] (San Ġorġ Preca) is greatly revered as the first canonised Maltese saint. ] canonised him on 3 June 2007. Also, a number of Maltese individuals are recognised as ], including ] and ], with ] having ] them in 2001.

Various ] religious orders are present in Malta, including the ], ], ] and ].

Most congregants of the local ] churches are not Maltese; their congregations draw on the many British retirees living in the country and vacationers from many other nations. There are approximately 500 ]; ] (Mormons), the ], and the ] have about 60 affiliates. There are also some churches of other denominations, such as ] in Valletta (a joint ] and ] congregation) and ], as well as a ] church in ].

The ] population of Malta reached its peak in the Middle Ages under Norman rule. In 1479, Malta and ] came under ] rule and the ] of 1492 forced all Jews to leave the country, permitting them to take with them only a few of their belongings. Several dozen Maltese Jews may have ] to Christianity at the time in order to remain in the country. Today, there is one Jewish congregation.

] and the ] claim some 40 members. There is one ] mosque. A Muslim primary school recently opened; its existence remains a point of some controversy. Of the estimated 3,000 ], approximately 2,250 are foreigners, approximately 600 are naturalized citizens, and approximately 150 are native-born Maltese.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24422.htm
|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2003{{ndash}} Malta
|accessdate=9 January 2008
|publisher=], ]}}</ref>

=== Migration ===
EU nationals require neither a ] nor a passport (an ID card or an expired passport are enough) to enter the country. Citizens of a number of third world countries are not required to apply for a visa and require only a valid passport when residing in Malta for up to three months. Visas for other nationalities are valid for one month.

Immigrants, even those with EU citizenship, are required to apply for a work permit. This exception to EU law was agreed upon before accession to safeguard the Maltese ].

<!--Add statistics on legal immigration and emigration-->The estimated net inflow (using data for 2002 to 2004) was of 1,913 persons yearly. Over the last 10 years, Malta accepted back a yearly average of 425 returning emigrants.<ref name="Demo2004">{{cite book |last=National Statistics Office|title=Demographic Review 2004 |publisher=National Statistics Office |year=2005 |location=Valletta |url=http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=1542 |isbn=99909-73-32-6 |page=59}}</ref>

During 2006, a total of 1,800 illegal immigrants reached Malta making the boat crossing from the North Africa coast. Most of them intended to reach mainland Europe and happened to come to Malta due to their sub-standard vessels breaking down, or being caught by Maltese and other EU officials.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Frendo holds talks with three European Union Commission Members |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |location=Valletta |date=30 January 2006 |url=http://www.foreign.gov.mt/showdoc.aspx?id=210&filesource=4&file=Press%20release%20EU%20Commissioners%20300106.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=6 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4365030.stm|title=Immigrant frustration for Malta|date=21 October 2005|accessdate=12 October 2007|work=BBC News Europe}}</ref> In the first half of 2006, 967 irregular immigrants arrived in Malta{{ndash}} almost double the 473 who arrived in the same period in 2005.<ref name="Frendo03072006">{{cite press release |title=Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Michael Frendo to resident EU Ambassadors on irregular immigration in Malta |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |location=Valletta |date=3 July 2006 |url=http://www.foreign.gov.mt/showdoc.aspx?id=210&filesource=4&file=Illegal%20Immigration%20-%20Statement%20for%20EU%20Ambassadors%20030706.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=6 July 2006}}</ref> Many immigrants have perished in the journey across the Mediterranean, with one notable incident being the ].

Around 45% of immigrants landed in Malta have been granted ] (5%) or protected humanitarian status (40%). A ] suggesting the grant of Maltese citizenship to refugees resident in Malta for over ten years was issued in 2005. Historically Malta gave refuge (and assisted in their resettlement) to eight hundred or so East African Asians who had been expelled from ] by ] and to just under a thousand ]is fleeing ]'s regime.

Detention costs for the first half of 2006 alone cost € 746,385.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=The Sunday Times |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=230879 |title=Immigrants refused entry into Malta |date=16 July 2006 |accessdate=17 July 2006}}</ref>

In 2005, Malta sought EU aid in relation to reception of irregular immigrants, repatriation of those denied refugee status, resettlement of refugees into EU countries, and maritime security.<ref>{{cite conference |first=Michael |last=Frendo |title=Illegal Immigration in Malta |booktitle=EU Foreign Ministers Council |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=5 July 2005 |url=http://www.foreign.gov.mt/showdoc.aspx?id=96&filesource=4&file=ILLEGal%20Immigrants.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=6 July 2006}}</ref> In December 2005, the European Council adopted ''The Global Approach to Migration: Priority Actions focusing on Africa and the Mediterranean''; but the deployment of said actions has been limited to the western Mediterranean, thus putting further pressure on the central Mediterranean route for irregular immigration of which Malta forms a part.

{{col-start}}{{col-break}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|+MALTESE MIGRATION PATTERNS (1946–1996)<ref>Source: </ref>
|-
! Country
! To
! From
! Net migration
! Return %
|-
| '''Australia'''
| align="right"|86,787
| align="right"|17,847
| align="right"|68,940
| align="right"|21.56
|-
| '''Canada'''
| align="right"|19,792
| align="right"|4,798
| align="right"|14,997
| align="right"|24.24
|-
| '''UK'''
| align="right"|31,489
| align="right"|12,659
| align="right"|18,830
| align="right"|40.20
|-
| '''U.S.A.'''
| align="right"|11,601
| align="right"|2,580
| align="right"|9,021
| align="right"|22.24
|-
| '''Other'''
| align="right"|1,647
| align="right"|907
| align="right"|740
| align="right"|55.07
|-
| '''Total'''
| align="right"|155,060
| align="right"|39,087
| align="right"|115,973
| align="right"|25.21
|}

{{col-end}}

== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Malta}}
{{See also|List of schools in Malta}}

]]]
Primary schooling has been compulsory since 1946; secondary education up to the age of sixteen was made compulsory in 1971. The state provides education free of charge, and the ] and the private sector run a number of schools in Malta and ], including ] in ], ] in ], ] in the valley of L-Imselliet (near ]) and ] in ]. As of 2008, there are two international schools, Verdala International School and QSI Malta. The state pays a portion of the teachers' salary in Church schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aboutmalta.com/grazio/education.html|title=Education in Malta|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref>

Education in Malta is based on the ]. ] lasts six years. At the age of 11 pupils sit for an examination to enter a ], either a ] (the Common Entrance Examination) or a ]. ]s sit for SEC ] examinations at the age of 16, with passes obligatory in certain subjects such as ], English and ]. Pupils may opt to continue studying at a ] such as Junior College, ], ] or else at another post-secondary institution such as ]. The sixth form course lasts for two years, at the end of which students sit for the Matriculation examination. Subject to their performance, students may then apply for an ] ] or ].

The ] (U.o.M.) provides ] education at diploma, undergraduate and ] level. The adult ] is 92.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mt.html#People|title=CIA Factbook|accessdate=12 October 2007}}</ref>

<!-- This section is linked to from the "Languages" section above. If changing the section title, update the link as well. -->
=== Languages in education ===
<!-- The education system in Malta puts less emphasis on the ] than other areas of the government do. -->
English and Maltese are both used to teach students at primary and secondary school level, and both languages are also compulsory subjects. ] tend to use both Maltese and English in a balanced manner. ]s prefer to use English for teaching, as is also the case with most departments of the ]; this has a limiting effect on the capacity and development of the Maltese language.<ref name=LinguisticView/> Most university courses are in English.<ref> at www.macmillandictionary.com</ref>

Of the total number of students studying a first foreign language at secondary level, 51% take Italian whilst 38% take French. Other choices include German, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic.<ref name=LinguisticView/><ref>; National Statistics Office - Malta; 1 September 2004; retrieved on 25 February 2008</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Malta}}
The culture of Malta reflects the various cultures that have come into contact with the ] throughout the centuries, including neighbouring ] cultures, and the cultures of the nations that ruled Malta for long periods of time prior to its ] in 1964.

=== Music===
]]]
While Maltese music today is largely western, traditional Maltese music includes what is known as ]. This consists of background ] music, while a few people, generally men, take it in turns to argue a point in a ] voice. The aim of the lyrics, which are improvised, are to create a friendly yet challenging atmosphere, and it takes a number of years of practice to be able to combine the required artistic qualities with the ability to ] effectively.

=== Literature ===
Documented Maltese literature is over 200 years old. However a recently unearthed love ballad testifies to literary activity in the local tongue from the Medieval period. Malta followed a Romantic literary tradition, culminating in the works of ], Malta's National Poet. Subsequent writers like ] and Karmenu Vassallo tried to estrange themselves from the rigidity of formal themes and versification.

It was late in the 1960s that Maltese literature experienced its most radical transformation amongst poets, prose writers and dramatists. Names of significant poets that stand out from the last quarter of the 20th century include ], Victor Fenech, Oliver Friggieri, ], Charles Flores, Daniel Massa, Maria Ganado, Lillian Sciberras and Akille Mizzi. In prose, ], Paul P. Borg and Joe J. Camilleri led the ] meanwhile among the prominent names in theatre are ], ], Doreen Micallef, Oreste Calleja, Joe Friggieri and Martin Gauci.

The next generation of writers widened the tracks further, especially in prose. Guze' Stagno, ] and Clare Azzopardi are young writers fast establishing themselves while in poetry, significant names include Adrian Grima, ], Norbet Bugeja and Simone Inguanez.

In literary criticism, ], Oliver Friggieri and Charles Briffa introduced perceptive historical, philosophical and psycho-social themes into Maltese theory.

Other writers, born in Malta or of Maltese descent, have established careers abroad. These included the novelist ], best-selling children's author ] and comic-book artist/journalist ].

=== Art and architecture ===
]

Malta has a long history of architecture, influenced by many different Mediterranean cultures over its history, and most recently, British architecture. The first settlers on the island constructed ], one of the oldest manmade freestanding structure in the world. Malta is currently undergoing large scale building projects that includes constructions such as ], the ], and ], while areas such as the ] and ] are receiving renovation.

The Neolithic temple builders 3800-2500 BC endowed the numerous temples of Malta and Gozo with intricate bas relief designs, including spirals evocative of the tree of life and animal portraits, designs painted in red ochre, ceramics, and a vast collection of human form sculptures, particularly the Venus of Malta. These can be viewed at the temples themselves (most notably, the ] and Tarxien Temples), and at the National Museum of Archaeology in ].

The Roman period introduced highly decorative mosaic floors, marble colonnades and classical statuary, remnants of which are beautifully preserved and presented in the Roman Domus, a country villa just outside the walls of ]. The early Christian frescoes that decorate the ] beneath Malta reveal a propensity for eastern, ] tastes. These tastes continued to inform the endeavours of ] Maltese artists, but they were increasingly influenced by the ] and ] movements. Towards the end of the 15th century, Maltese artists, like their counterparts in neighbouring Sicily, came under the influence of the School of ], which introduced ] ideals and concepts to the decorative arts in Malta.<ref name="hopeandoptimism1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hopeandoptimism.com/essay.htm |title=D. Cutajar, "An Overview of the Art of Malta" |publisher=Hopeandoptimism.com |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>

{{Infobox Painting| image_file=CaravaggioJeromeValletta.jpg
| title=Saint Jerome Writing
| artist=Caravaggio
| year=c. 1607-1608
| type=Oil on canvas
| height=117
| width=157
|city=Valletta
| museum=St John's Co-Cathedral}}

The artistic heritage of Malta blossomed under the ], who brought Italian and Flemish ] painters to decorate their palaces and the churches of these islands, most notably, ], whose works appear in the ] and in the ] in Valetta, and Filippo Paladini, who was active in Malta from 1590 to 1595. For many years, Mannerism continued to inform the tastes and ideals of local Maltese artists.<ref name="hopeandoptimism1"/>

The arrival in Malta of ], who painted at least seven works during his 15-month stay on these islands, further revolutionized local art. Two of Caravaggio's most notable works, '']'' and '']'', are on display in the ] of the Conventual Church of St. John. His legacy is evident in the works of local artists Giulio Cassarino (1582–1637) and Stefano Erardi (1630–1716). However, the ] movement that followed was destined to have the most enduring impact on Maltese art and architecture. The glorious vault paintings of the celebrated Calabrese artist, ] transformed the severe, Mannerist interior of the Conventual Church St. John into a Baroque masterpiece. Preti spent the last 40 years of his life in Malta, where he created many of his finest works, now on display in the Museum of Fine Arts in ]. During this period, local sculptor ] (1639–1667) emerged as one of the top Baroque sculptors of the Roman School.

]

During the 17th and 18th century, ] and ] influences emerged in the works of the Italian painters ] (1632–1705) and ] (1657–1747), and these developments can be seen in the work of their Maltese contemporaries such as Giovanni Nicola Buhagiar (1698–1752) and Francesco Zahra (1710–1773). The Rococo movement was greatly enhanced by the relocation to Malta of Antoine de Favray (1706–1798), who assumed the position of court painter to Grand Master Pinto in 1744.

] made some inroads among local Maltese artists in the late 18th century, but this trend was reversed in the early 19th century, as the local Church authorities - perhaps in an effort to strengthen Catholic resolve against the perceived threat of Protestantism during the early days of British rule in Malta - favoured and avidly promoted the religious themes embraced by the ] of artists. ], tempered by the naturalism introduced to Malta by ], informed the "salon" artists of the early 20th century, including Edward and Robert Caruana Dingli.

Parliament established the National School of Art in the 1920s. During the reconstruction period that followed the ], the emergence of the "Modern Art Group", whose members included Josef Kalleya (1898–1998), George Preca (1909–1984), Anton Inglott (1915–1945), Emvin Cremona (1919–1986), Frank Portelli (b.1922), Antoine Camilleri (b.1922) and Esprit Barthet (b.1919) greatly enhanced the local art scene.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Maltese cuisine}}
:This article refers exclusively to the traditional dishes of Malta and Gozo.
]
]'']]
Maltese cuisine is typically ], based on fresh seasonal locally available produce and seafood. While many dishes are native to the island, some popular Maltese recipes reflect ] and ] as well as traces of ], Spanish, Berber, French and British influences (such as ''qassatat''). There are many unique, distinctive and popular local dishes such as ''ftira biż-żejt'', ''ġbejniet'', ''pastizzi'' and ''ross il-forn''. Maltese cuisine is still popular in households and restaurants in Malta.

Influences from outside Malta continue to develop. Alongside the traditional cuisine of the island one can find an eclectic mix of dishes offered in various restaurants, drawn from Asia, North America etc.

===Customs===
{{Main|Maltese folklore}}

Maltese folktales include various stories about mysterious creatures and supernatural goings on. These were most comprehensively compiled by the scholar (and pioneer in Maltese ]) ]<ref>"Patri Manwel Magri u l-Ipoġew", Lil Ħbiebna, Novembru 2003, pp. 195-197.</ref> in his core criticism "''Ħrejjef Missirijietna''" ("Stories from our Forefathers"). This collection of material inspired subsequent researchers and academics to gather traditional ], ]s and ]s from all over the Archipelago.

Magri's work also inspired a series of comic books (released by Klabb Kotba Maltin in 1984): the titles included ''Bin is-Sultan Jiźźewweġ x-Xebba tat-Tronġiet Mewwija'' and ''Ir-Rjieħ''. Many of these stories have been popularly re-written as ] by authors writing in ], such as ]. While giants, witches and dragons feature in many of the stories, some contain entirely Maltese creatures like the ], ] and ] amongst others. The traditional Maltese obsession with maintaining spiritual (or ritual) purity<ref>Zarb, T. Folklore of An Island, PEG Ltd, 1998</ref> means that many of these creatures have the role of guarding forbidden or restricted areas and attacking individuals who broke the strict codes of conduct that characterized the island's pre-industrial society.

===== Traditional life =====
Traditional Maltese proverbs reveal a cultural preoccupation with childbearing and fertility: "''iż-żwieġ mingħajr tarbija ma fihx tgawdija"'' (a childless marriage cannot be a happy one). This is a belief that Malta shares with many other ] cultures. In Maltese folktales the local variant of the classic closing formula, "and they all lived happily ever after" is "''u għammru u tgħammru, u spiċċat''" (and they lived together, and they had children together, and the tale is finished).<ref>J. Cassar Pullicino, "A New Look at Old Customs", in Studies in Maltese Folklore, Malta University Press (1992)</ref>

Rural Malta shares in common with Mediterranean and traditional Jewish society a number of superstitions regarding fertility, menstruation, and pregnancy, including the avoidance of cemeteries during the months leading up to childbirth, and avoiding the preparation of certain foods during menses. Pregnant women are encouraged to satisfy their cravings for specific foods, out of fear that their unborn child will bear a representational birth mark (Maltese: ''xewqa'', literally "desire" or "craving"). Maltese and Sicilian women also share certain traditions that are believed to predict the sex of an unborn child, such as the cycle of the moon on the anticipated date of birth, whether the baby is carried "high" or "low" during pregnancy, and the movement of a wedding ring, dangled on a string above the abdomen (sideways denoting a girl, back and forth denoting a boy).

Traditionally, Maltese newborns were baptised as promptly as possible, partly out of fear of ] should the child die in infancy, and partly because according to Maltese (and Sicilian) folklore an unbaptised child is not yet a Christian, but "still a Turk". Traditional Maltese delicacies served at a baptismal feast include ''biskuttini tal-magħmudija'' (almond macaroons covered in white or pink icing), ''it-torta tal-marmorata'' (a spicy, heart-shaped tart of chocolate-flavoured almond paste), and a liqueur known as ''rożolin'', made with rose petals, violets and almonds.

On a child's first birthday, in a tradition that still survives today, Maltese parents would organize a game known as ''il-quċċija'', where a variety of symbolic objects would be randomly placed around the seated child. These may include a hard-boiled egg, a ], ] or ], a book, and so on. Whichever object the child shows most interest in is said to reveal the child's path and fortunes in adulthood.

Money refers to a rich future while a book expresses intelligence and a possible career as a teacher. Infants who select a pencil or pen will be writers. Choosing bibles or rosary beads refers to a clerical or monastic life. If the child chooses a hard-boiled egg, it will have a long life and many children. More recent additions include calculators (refers to accounting), thread (fashion) and wooden spoons (cooking and a great appetite).

===== Weddings =====
] featured the bridal party walking in procession beneath an ornate canopy, from the home of the bride's family to the parish church, with singers trailing behind serenading the bride and groom. The Maltese word for this custom is ''il-ġilwa''. This custom along with many others has long since disappeared from the Islands, in the face of modern practices.
]

New wives would wear the ], a traditional item of Maltese clothing. However, it is no longer worn in modern Malta. Today's couples are married in churches or chapels in the village or town of their choice. The nuptials are usually followed by a lavish wedding reception, often including several hundred guests. Occasionally, couples will try to incorporate elements of the traditional Maltese wedding in their celebration. A resurgent interest in the traditional wedding was evident in May 2007, when thousands of Maltese and tourists attended a traditional Maltese wedding in the style of the 16th century, in the Village of ]. This included ''il-ġilwa'', which led the bride and groom to a wedding ceremony that took place on the parvis of St. Andrew's Chapel. The reception that followed featured folklore music ('']'') and dancing.

===== Festivals =====

Local ]s, similar to those in southern Italy, are commonplace in Malta and Gozo, celebrating ]s, ] and, most prominently, ]' days, honouring the patron saint of the local parish. On saints' days, the ''festa'' reaches its apex with a ] featuring a sermon on the life and achievements of the patron saint, after which a ] of the religious patron is taken around the local streets in solemn procession, with the faithful following in respectful ]. The religious atmosphere quickly gives way to several days of revelry, band processions, ], and late night parties. Lija is one villages with a notable firework display.

<!-- Deleted image removed: ] line the streets of Malta's cities]] -->
''']''' (Maltese: ''il-karnival ta' Malta'') has had an important place on the cultural calendar after ] ] introduced it to the Islands in 1535. It is held during the week leading up to ], and typically includes masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colourful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical ] presided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ''ir-Re tal-Karnival''), marching bands and costumed revellers.

''']''' (Maltese: ''il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa'') starts on ] (''Ħadd il-Palm'') and ends on ] (''Ħadd il-Għid''). Numerous religious traditions, most of them inherited from one generation to the next, are part of the ] celebrations in the Maltese Islands, honouring the death and resurrection of ].

<!-- This section is linked from 29 June -->
'''Mnarja''', or l-Imnarja (pronounced ''lim-nar-ya'') is one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national festival dedicated to the feast of ]s ] and ]. In fact, one can trace its roots back to the pagan ] feast of ''Luminaria'' (literally, "the illumination"), when torches and bonfires lit up the early summer night of 29 June.

A national feast since the rule of the ], Mnarja is a traditional Maltese festival of food, religion and music. The festivities still commence today with the reading of the ''"bandu"'', an official governmental announcement, which has been read on this day in Malta since the 16th century. Originally, Mnarja was celebrated outside St. Paul's Grotto, in the north of Malta. However, by 1613 the focus of the festivities had shifted to the ] of ], in ], and featured torchlight processions, the firing of 100 petards, horseraces, and races for men, boys and slaves. Modern Mnarja festivals take place in and around the woodlands of ], just outside the town of ].

It is said that under the Knights, this was the one day in the year when the Maltese were allowed to hunt and eat ], which was otherwise reserved for the hunting pleasures of the Knights. The close connection between Mnarja and rabbit stew (Maltese: ''"fenkata"'') remains strong today.

In 1854 British governor ] launched an agricultural show at Buskett which is still being held today. The farmers' exhibition is still a seminal part of the Mnarja festivities today.

Mnarja today is one of the few occasions when participants may hear traditional Maltese "]". Traditionally, grooms would promise to take their brides to Mnarja during the first of year of marriage. For luck, many of the brides would attend in their wedding gown and veil, although this custom has long since disappeared from the Islands.

=== Sports ===
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: ], current G.K of ]]] -->
Malta has its own national ] stadium, ]. It is generally noted that the population tends to be split half and half with regards to supporting Italy or England in sports games, due to the cultural affinities of the island.<ref>{{cite news
|author=
|title=Maltese mad keen on England
|date=1 June 2000
|work=]
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/england/773547.stm
|accessdate=5 August 2008
}}</ref>

The ] won several matches over big opponents that reached the final phases in ] like ] and ] and the ].

Malta also hosts a ] round, the ], which as of 2008 became a non-ranking event.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}

In 2008 Malta's ] was a member of a victorious European ] team, which was played in Portomaso, Malta.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}

Boxer ] is of Maltese descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngvictorboxing.com.au/jeff_fenech2.htm |title=Jeff Fenech |publisher=Youngvictorboxing.com.au |date= |accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>

There are over 1200 ] routes in Malta. The island offers a mixture of both ] and ] and also offers a good variety of ] and ] . The geography and small size of the island makes the climbing easily accessible. The sport is growing in popularity with local communities, as well as tourists and visitors.

In the last decade the aviation sport of Microlight Flying was introduced to the island by the Island Microlight Club.<ref> at www.islandmicrolightclub.com</ref> There are now a total of twenty-two microlight aircraft that operate out of the ].

Boċċi is the Maltese version of the Italian game of ], French ] and British ]. Other than certain differences in rules and the ground on which the game is played, one of the most obvious differences between Maltese boċċi and foreign equivalents is the shape of the bowls themselves which tend to be cylindrical rather than spherical in shape. Many small clubs (usually called '''Klabbs tal-Boċċi''' in ]) can be found in Maltese and Gozitan localities, and are usually well-frequented and are quite active on a local and European level.

==Communications==
=== Print ===
{{further|]}}
The most widely read and financially the strongest ] are published by Allied Newspapers Ltd., mainly the ] (27%) and ] (51.6%). Due to ] half of the ] are published in English and the other half in ]. The Sunday newspaper It-Torċa (The Torch) published by the Union Press, a subsidiary of the ], is the paper with the biggest circulation in the Maltese language. Its sister paper, ], is the Maltese daily with biggest circulation. Newspapers are definitively losing out to ] and ] (and ] is losing to ]) as preferred source of ]. There is a high number of daily or weekly newspapers, there is one paper for every 28,000&nbsp;people. ], ] and ] are the three main methods of financing ] and ]. However, most of the papers and ] tied to ] are subsidised by the same ], they depend on ] or subsidies from their owners.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

=== Media ===
{{further|]}}
There is a great a presence of the ] – ], ], ] - in the ], though not as in the broadcasting media. Trade Unions are not represented in the broadcasting media, but are in the print media, and only the ] owns a newspaper. The ], the second biggest ], has no newspaper, TV, or radio stations.<ref name="autogenerated1"> at www.ejc.net</ref>

=== Broadcasting ===
{{further|]|]}}

There are eight major nationwide television channels in Malta: ], ], ], ], Favourite Channel, Calypso Music TV, ITV, and Education22 - currently transmitted by analogue terrestrial, free-to-air signals. The state and ] subsidise most of the fundings of these television stations. The ] is the state-owned station and is a member of the ]. Media Link Communications Ltd and ] are affiliated with the ] and ] respectively. Smash Communications Ltd is privately owned. The Broadcasting Authority supervises all local broadcasting stations and ensures their compliance with ] and licence obligations as well as the preservation of due impartiality; in respect of matters of ] or ] controversy or relating to current public policy; while fairly apportioning broadcasting facilities and time between persons belong to different political parties. The Broadcasting Authority ensures that local broadcasting services consist of public, private and community broadcasts that offer varied and comprehensive programming to cater for all interests and tastes.

Cable, terrestrial and satellite reception are all available, though the cable service is the most diffused. Cable subscriptions reached almost 124,000 in February 2006 reaching about 80% of Maltese households, and a small but increasing number of households own satellite dishes to receive other European television networks such as the ] from Great Britain and ] and ] from Italy.

=== Mobile telephony ===

The mobile penetration rate in Malta stood at 101.3% as at the end of 2009.<ref>http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=2701</ref> Malta uses the GSM900 mobile phone network. This is compatible with the rest of the European countries, Australia and also New Zealand.

=== Phone codes ===

There are no ]s in Malta, subscribers' numbers having eight digits. ] telephone numbers have the prefix '''2''', while mobile telephone numbers have the prefix '''7''' or '''9'''. When calling Malta from abroad, one must first dial the international access code, then the country code ] and the subscriber's number.

== Transportation infrastructure ==
=== Highways ===
Traffic in Malta ], as in the UK. Car ownership in Malta is exceedingly high, given the very small size of the islands; it is the fourth highest in the European Union. The number of registered cars in 1990 amounted to 182,254, giving an automobile density of {{convert|582|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>Sammut & Savona-Ventura, "Petrol Lead in a Small Island Environment", ''International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine'' 9 (1996) at 33-40.</ref>

Malta has {{convert|2254|km|mi}} of road, {{convert|1972|km|mi|abbr=on}} (87.5%) of which are paved and {{convert|282|km|mi|abbr=on}} are unpaved (December 2003).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mt-malta/tra-transportation|title=''NationMaster'' - Transportation statistics|accessdate=19 February 2007}}</ref>

===Buses===
]
] in ]]]
{{See also|Malta bus}}
]es (xarabank or karozza tal-linja) are the primary method of public transport for the islands, which offer a relatively cheap and frequent service to many parts of Malta and Gozo. The vast majority of buses on Malta depart from a large circular terminus in ].

The island has had buses since 1905. Due to their appearance, Malta's classic buses have become tourist attractions in their own right and appear on many Maltese advertisements to promote tourism, as well as on gifts and merchandise for tourists. However, these old buses are slowly being replaced by a more modern fleet, albeit still customised in the tradition of the older buses.

The buses used to be colour coded, according to the their routes, before being painted green. Now the buses in Malta are all dark yellow, with a band of orange, while those on the sister island of ] are grey, with a red band.

There are approximately 500 buses in public transit service in Malta. The drivers themselves own most of the buses, but operate to a unified timetable set by the transport authority. Malta buses carry approximately 31 million passengers per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesstoday.com.mt/2006/11/22/l4.html|title=Transportation statistics|work=Business Today|author=Debono, James|date=22 November 2006|accessdate=19 February 2007}}</ref> On any one day, half the bus fleet works on the public transport network (called 'route buses'), while the other half provides private tours and school transportation.

=== Railway ===
Between 1883 and 1931, Malta had a railway line that connected ] to the army barracks at ] via ] and a number of towns and villages. The railway fell into disuse and eventually closed altogether, following the introduction of electric trams and buses. At the height of the bombing of Malta during ], ] announced that his forces had destroyed the railway system but by the time war broke out, the railway had been mothballed for more than nine years.

=== New public transport network ===
A new public transport network is being proposed for the islands of Malta and Gozo that will include a day service from 6am to 11pm and a night service from 11pm to 6am. The proposed network would provide three types of services. The fast Crossline services would operate at a frequency of 30 minutes. These would connect with Mainline services, which would operate at a frequency of between 10 and 30 minutes. At regional and local levels the Feederlines would serve villages and neighbouring areas at a frequency of 30 minutes. Apart from the interchange at Valletta, which would be upgraded, the proposal includes other major interchanges in the network at ], ] in ], ], ], ] and ]. Public transport information would be made available in various media including real time, mobile and online. Enhanced bus stop and interchange facilities would provide shelter, security, information, comfort and convenience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mitc.gov.mt/page.aspx?pageid=156&lid=1|title=Malta public transport reform|work=MITC|author=MITC, James|date=6 December 2008|accessdate=6 December 2008}}</ref>

=== Ports and harbours ===
] Harbour]]
] harbour from ], ]]]
Malta has three large natural harbours on its main island.

*The ] (or Port il-Kbir), located at the eastern side of the capital city of ], has been a harbour since ] times. It has several extensive ] and ], as well as a cruise liner terminal. A terminal at the Grand Harbour serves ] that connect Malta to ] & ] in ].
*], located on the western side of Valletta, accommodates a number of yacht marinas.
*], at ] on the south-eastern side of Malta, is the site of the ], the islands' main cargo terminal.

There are also two man-made harbours that serve a passenger and car ferry service that connects ] on Malta and ] on ]. The ferry makes numerous runs each day.

=== Airports and heliports ===
]]]

] (Ajruport Internazzjonali ta' Malta) is the only airport serving the Maltese Islands. It is built on the land formerly occupied by the ] ] air base. A heliport is also located there, but the scheduled service to Gozo ceased in 2006. Since June 2007, ] has operated a thrice-daily floatplane service between the sea terminal in Grand Harbour and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Two further airfields at ] and ] airfields operated during World War II and into the 1960s but are now closed. Today, ] houses a national park, ], the Crafts Village visitor attraction and the ]. This museum preserves several aircraft, including ] and ] fighters that defended the island in ].
] flight]]

The national airline is ], which is based in at Malta International Airport, and which operates services to 36 destinations in Europe and North Africa. The owners of Air Malta are Maltese government (98%) and private investors (2%). Air Malta employs 1,547 staff and a 25% shareholding in ].

Air Malta has concluded over 191 interline ticketing agreements with other IATA airlines. It also has a codeshare agreement with Qantas covering the following routes: Sydney-Singapore-Heathrow-Malta, Sydney-Bangkok-Heathrow-Malta and Melbourne-Singapore-Heathrow-Malta. In September 2007, Air Malta made two agreements with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways by which Air Malta wet-leased two Airbus aircraft to Etihad Airways for the winter period starting 1 September 2007, and provided operational support on another Airbus A320, aircraft which it leased to Etihad Airways.

== Military ==
{{Main|Armed Forces of Malta}}
The objectives of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) are to maintain a military organisation with the primary aim of defending the Islands' integrity according to the defence roles as set by Government in an efficient and cost effective manner. This is achieved by emphasising the maintenance of Malta's territorial waters and airspace integrity.

The AFM also engages in combating terrorism, fighting against illicit drug trafficking, conducting anti-illegal immigrant and anti-illegal fishing operations, operating Search and Rescue (SAR) services, and physical/electronic security/surveillance of sensitive locations. Malta's Search and Rescue area extends from east of Tunisia to west of Crete covering an area of around 250,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

As a military organisation, the AFM provides backup support to the ] (MPF) and other government departments/agencies in situations as required in an organised, disciplined manner in the event of national emergencies (such as natural disasters) or internal security and bomb disposal.

On another level, the AFM establishes and/or consolidates ] with other countries to reach higher operational effectiveness related to AFM roles.

== Other ==
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== See also ==
{{portal|Malta|Flag of Malta.svg}}
{{portal|Commonwealth realms|}}
{{Main|Outline of Malta}}
*]
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==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Malta}}
<!-- WARNING: BEFORE ADDING A LINK IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE DISCUSS IT ON THE TALK PAGE. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE LIGHT OF PERSISTENT ADDITIONS OF COMMERCIAL LINKS AND VANDALISM TO THIS SECTION. ADDING SPAM WILL RESULT IN A WARNING! -->
; Government
*{{ndash}} Maltese Government official site
*{{ndash}} A summary of principal laws and glossary of terms.
*
*
* ] which includes place names and street's layout and names

; General information
*- An information source on immigration and Malta (scholarly articles, policy documents, press releases etc.)
*{{CIA World Factbook link|mt|Malta}}
* from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
*{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Malta}}
*{{wikiatlas|Malta}}
; News media
*
; Travel
*
*{{wikitravel}}

== Notes and citations ==
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{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== References ==
*{{cite book|first=John Anthony|last=Cramer|title=Geographical and Historical Description of Ancient Greece|publisher=Clarendon Press|year=1828|pages=45–46|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=A38OAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Georgraphical+and+Historical+Description+of+Ancient+Greece&lr=&ei=UZnnSe7-M5OCygTov-DhCA#PPA45,M1|accessdate=16 April 2009}}
*{{cite web | title=Map of Malta and Gozo |work=Street Map of Malta and Gozo |url=http://www.maltastreetmap.com/ |accessdate=10 April 2009}}
*{{cite web | title=Photos of Gozo sister island of Malta |work=Photos of Gozo |url=http://www.gozo.us |accessdate=17 November 2006}}
*{{cite web | title=Photos of Malta |work=Photos of Malta |url=http://www.pvv.org/~bct/malta/ |accessdate=26 May 2008}}
*{{cite web | title=Malta |work=] |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mt.html |accessdate=6 September 2006}}
*{{cite web | title=Gov.mt |work=Government of Malta |url=http://www.gov.mt|accessdate=1 November 2005}}
*{{cite encyclopedia | title=Malta |work=MSN Encarta |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555566/Malta.html |accessdate=1 November 2005|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kx4HpFtQ|archivedate=2009-11-01|deadurl=yes}}
*{{cite news | title=1942: Malta gets George Cross for bravery |work=BBC "On this day" |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/15/newsid_3530000/3530301.stm | accessdate=22 June 2006}}
*{{cite book |first=H. Bowen |last=Jones |coauthors=''et al.'' | title=Malta Background for Development |publisher=Dhurham College |year=1962 |id={{OCLC|204863}}}}
*{{cite book |author=Carolyn Bain | title=Malta |publisher=Lonely Planet Publication |year=2004 |isbn=1-74059-178-X}}
*{{cite book |author=Paul Williams | title=Malta | publisher=Pen and Sword Books | year=2009 |isbn=9781848840126 }}
*{{cite book |last=United Nations Development Programme | title=Human Development Report 2005 - International cooperation at a crossroads: Aid, trade and security in an unequal world |year=2006 |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/ |isbn=0-19-522146-X}}
<!--* For the migration section: http://www.alternattiva.org.mt/filebank/documents/Fiona%20TEXEIRE-%20At%20the%20Gate%20of%20Fortress%20Europe.pdf -->
*{{ndash}} Volume 2007/1, Thematic Issue on Malta

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Revision as of 20:47, 25 March 2010