What You Need to Know About Malta
Also called the Maltese Republic, the country of Malta is a group of islands or an archipelago in Europe. It is located halfway between Sicily and Tunisia. Valletta is the capital of Malta and it is located on the island of Malta. Malta is divided into 4 islands, the most important being called the Island of Malta, the island of Gozo, Comino, and the last one is uninhabited called Filfla.
Table of the Main Geographical Features of Malta
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area | 316 km² |
| Capital | Valletta |
| Population | About 514,000 inhabitants |
| Official Languages | Maltese, English |
| Highest Point | Ta’ Dmejrek, 253 meters above sea level |
| Main Islands | Malta, Gozo, Comino |
| Geographical Region | Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily |
The area of the main island is 246 km2. The Maltese population amounts to 449,043 inhabitants over an area of 316 km2. This translates to a fairly low density of 1,421 inhabitants per km2. The official language used in the country is Maltese, but the population also speaks English and Italian depending on the regions and their origins.
88 km separate the archipelagos from Sicily in the Southwest direction, 297 km separate them from Tunisia in the East-Northeast direction. And finally, 574 km separate them from Greece. The telephone code in Malta is 356, that is +356 or 00356.
The Best Maltese Cities
Main Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest
- Valletta: Historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its museums and palaces.
- Mdina: The former capital of Malta, known as the “Silent City,” with its medieval alleys.
- Blue Lagoon (Comino): A paradisiacal swimming spot with turquoise waters, perfect for snorkeling.
- Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni: Impressive underground monument dating back to prehistoric times.
- Marsaxlokk: Picturesque fishing village, known for its fish market and colorful boats.
- Megalithic Temples: Archaeological sites among the oldest freestanding monuments in the world, such as Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra.
- Gozo: Calmer and more rural island, famous for the Citadel of Victoria and beaches like Ramla Bay.
Main Attractions in Malta
Valletta
It is one of the main attractions of Malta in addition to being its capital. This city is unique in its kind and it includes several historical sites. You can also see the old buildings and enjoy the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mdina
Formerly the capital of Malta and one of the largest cities, Mdina is surrounded by fortifications dating back to the medieval era. Mdina is also renowned for the St. Paul’s Cathedral nestled on high ground. Walk through the cobblestone streets and breathe the fresh air to clear your mind in Mdina.
St. Julian’s
It is the city closest to the capital, only 9 kilometers away. It is a nightlife city that offers tourists the chance to enjoy good times in various bars and restaurants.
Rabat
Located south of Mdina, Rabat is an ancient city and also a suburb. It is especially famous for its old buildings and diverse houses. The city is also filled with monasteries, catacombs, and medieval churches.
Marsaxlokk
It is a town located in the south of the main island. You can admire various boats as well as the Mediterranean beach. It is also an excellent coastal town where you can buy fresh fish to cook yourself or have the locals prepare them for you.
Where the cities are located on the map
Valletta
On the map, Valletta is located in the northeast section of the island of Malta. It is part of the Xiberras peninsula. Its geographic coordinates: 35° 53′ 52″ north, 14° 30′ 45″ east.
Mdina
The city of Mdina is located in the northern section of the island of Malta. Geographic coordinates: 35° 53′ 09″ north, 14° 24′ 11″ east
St. Julian’s
St. Julian’s is located on the coast near the capital and inside Spinola Bay. Geographic coordinates: 35° 52′ 54″ north, 14° 23′ 56″ east
Rabat
Rabat is the city on the island of Malta closest to the city of Mdina. Geographic coordinates: 35° 52′ 54″ north, 14° 23′ 56″ east
Marsaxlokk
On the map, Marsaxlokk is a town located in the southeast section of the island of Malta. Its geographic coordinates are: 35° 50′ 30″ north, 14° 32′ 41″ east
Climate map of Malta
The climate in Malta is characterized by a mild, drizzly winter followed by a hot and radiant summer. These features are characteristic of a Mediterranean climate.
Winter: The entire country experiences cold temperatures from February to August. These temperatures range from 12.5°C to 25°C. Moreover, rainfall is less frequent than in neighboring countries due to 600 mm per year. And since the climate is Mediterranean, stormier periods mainly occur from October and end in March. However, rain is practically nonexistent in summer.
Autumn: During this season, there is sunshine following cloudy weather; there may even be rain and some wind. However, the temperature is pleasant, around 8 to 10°C, and at night, temperatures drop to 4°C to 5°C.
Spring: This season is marked by gradual temperature increases. It rains less, and by the end of the season, rain no longer falls, leading to more frequent sunshine.
Summer: This period is the hottest on the island. The wind blows moderately, and the air humidity mitigates the heat even though average temperatures vary between 40° and 42.5°C during heatwaves.
Financial map of Malta
The Maltese economy is primarily based on the service economy before industrialization. According to the United Nations, the Maltese economy is considered to be an economy based on innovative products. Consequently, it is classified as a high-income country.
Its location halfway between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe allows the country to develop in contact with neighboring countries. The workforce is affordable, taxes and fiscal charges are significantly lower than those of other European countries, and 88% of the population speaks English. Malta’s GDP is the 15th highest compared to other countries in the European Union.
Here are some economic indicators in Malta
- Currency: Euro
- Nominal GDP: 9.54 billion dollars
- GDP in PPP: 11.2 billion dollars
- 145th highest GDP
- Annual GDP growth: 2.4%
- Gross Domestic Product per capita in PPP: 27,392 euros
- Annual inflation rate: 1%
- Population below poverty line: 15%
- Unemployment rate: 5.9%
Administrative and Demographic Data
Administrative divisions in Malta
Malta is made up of 5 regions, these regions (Reġjuni) are then subdivided into 68 administrative localities also called local councils (Kunsilli Lokali). Finally, these Kunsilli are divided into 16 village communities and management committees (Kumitatjiet Amministrattivi).
In summary, the administrative divisions are: the island of Malta, the Central region (Ċentrali), the Northern or Tramontane region (Tramuntana), the South-East region (Xlokk), and finally the Southern region (Nofsinhar). The populations of these regions are respectively 408,750, 111,994, 102,892, 99,301, 93,897, 37,342, and 31,683 inhabitants.
Maltese Demography
The majority of the country’s population lives on the island of Malta. The most populated districts are Northern Harbour, Northern, and Southern Harbour. These districts represent 66.6% of the island of Malta and the population percentages are respectively: 27.8%, 21.6%, and 17.2%. The least populated territories are the island of Gozo and the island of Comino.
There, the population represents only 7.8% of the total population. Regarding the capital, its population is only 6,675 inhabitants compared to 22,319 inhabitants for Birkirkara in the Northern Harbour region.
Here are some overall data:
- Total population: 449,043 inhabitants.
- Population growth: 0.99%
- Fertility rate: 1.48 children per woman
- Birth and death rates: 10 and 7.9%
- Average life expectancy: 82.9 years
- Average age of population: 41.7 years
- Male/female ratio: 101%
- Migration rate: 0.78%
Demolinguistic Data
The ethnic groups living in Malta are divided into Maltese, British, Arabs, Somalis, and Italians, accounting for 92.9%, 1.5%, 0.5%, 0.2%, and 0.2% respectively. The main language spoken by the native population is Maltese. It is somewhat a language derived from Maghrebi and mixed with Latin. After colonization by the Anglo-Saxons, the country adopted the English language, which has now become a primary language in the country.
Other languages spoken in Malta are Arabic and Italian. Almost the entire population, that is the Maltese, speak two languages.
For example, they speak both Maltese and English. In terms of percentage, 94% of the Maltese on the island speak both English and Maltese simultaneously. Meanwhile, 59% have adopted Italian and Maltese, and 9% speak French and Maltese.
Improve your English in Malta
Now that you know almost everything about this magnificent Mediterranean island, wouldn’t it be time to consider visiting it?
Better than just a tourist vacation, what if you combined business with pleasure by planning a language trip to Malta to significantly improve your skills in Shakespeare’s language far from the rain and gloom across the Atlantic.
Experience full immersion in Malta
Language trips have the particularity of allowing total immersion in the language. Better than simple classes, on a trip the language lesson is constant. Indeed, even after sessions with teachers, you will have to live and communicate in English with those around you. The visits and outings you make will be in English, and you can immediately practice what you learned a few hours earlier.
Beyond the linguistic aspect, staying in Malta is also and above all an opportunity to get away from it all. Thus, it is a culture, gastronomy, and local customs that you will be able to discover. There is no doubt that you will also be able to forge bonds with your fellow travelers, making for enriching new encounters.
Programs for everyone
Malta opens its doors for language stays to the widest audience. Thus, there are programs for primary and middle school students. But also for high school students, to properly prepare for their future higher education.
Indeed, once in higher education, you can still come for a language stay in Malta. Finally, even older and already integrated into the professional world, you can also come to improve your English in Malta; it is never too late in life.
Accommodation
For accommodation in Malta, two options are possible. The first is to live a total immersion with a host family. The other option available to you is to choose lodging in the center’s residence. In any case, you are supported so that your stay goes as smoothly as possible.
Why choose Malta for your language stay?
It is clear that there are many destinations, more or less distant, to perfect your English. But one must not forget that in language stay, there is the word stay.
This word gives this moment a notion of pleasure necessary for a good experience and therefore good learning. The island of Malta has the quality of being both close to France (just a few hours by plane) but at the same time very exotic. Indeed, being located south of Sicily, Malta offers a very pleasant climate for much of the year.
The island of Malta is also part of the eurozone, which will be a considerable advantage in preparing your stay, as you will not have to plan for currency exchange. Finally, it is a tourist destination, so the locals are used to receiving foreigners, which is positive for language learning.
