Country's Full Name: Republic of Malta - Repubblika ta’ Malta

Brief History: The strategic importance of Malta was recognized by the Phoenicians, who occupied it, as did, in turn, the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. The apostle Paul was shipwrecked there in A.D. 60. With the division of the Roman Empire in A.D. 395, Malta was assigned to the eastern portion dominated by Constantinople. Between 870 and 1090, it came under Arab rule. In 1091, the Norman noble Roger I, then ruler of Sicily, came to Malta with a small retinue and defeated the Arabs. The Knights of St. John (Malta), who obtained the three habitable Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino from Charles V in 1530, reached their highest fame when they withstood an attack by superior Turkish forces in 1565. Napoléon seized Malta in 1798, but the French forces were ousted by British troops the next year, and British rule was confirmed by the treaty of Paris in 1814.

Malta was heavily attacked by German and Italian aircraft during World War II but was never invaded by the Axis powers. It became an independent nation on Sept. 21, 1964, and a republic on Dec. 13, 1974, but it remained in the British Commonwealth. In 1979, when its alliance with Great Britain ended, Malta sought to guarantee its neutrality through agreements with other countries. Although Malta applied for membership in the European Union, when the Labor Party won the election in Oct. 1996, it froze Malta's EU application and withdrew from the NATO Partnership for Peace program in an effort to maintain its neutrality. When the Nationalist Party won the Sept. 1998 elections, however, it revived the EU accession. Malta joined European Union on June 1, 2004.

What is the country known for: Malta holds geo-strategic position in the Mediterranean. With the atomic warfare, Malta's position has diminished. Malta is now better known as tourist hub with natural wonders, churches and temples. Temples are as old as 3000 years. Canons are found in every part of Malta, resembling its past history due to strategic position.

Main Industries: The economy of Malta is highly regulated with government programme fixed on structural liberalization. The GDP composition consists of Agriculture - 6%, Industry - 14%, Services 80%. The fiscal year is observed from 1 April - 31 March.

Tourism is the main service industry generating income. Limestone forms the main Industry. Agriculture produce mainly comprise of vegetables, milk and poultry.

Main Trading Partners:
During 2003, total exports stood at 2.18bn. The EU remains the most important regional trading partner for Malta, accounting to 44.3% of Maltese exports and 66.8% of Maltese imports.

Singapore has retained the top spot for Maltese domestic exports valued at 365.6 million, showing a 3.9% increase over 2002. Other significant importers for Maltese domestic exports included the USA - 312.6 million), France - 280.6 million), the United Kingdom - 215.7 million) and Germany -213.1 million). Among these countries, the highest growth was reported by the USA with a 15.3% increase over 2002.

Imports from Italy were valued at - 691 million, showing an 8.3% growth over 2002, and remaining the leading supplier of Maltese imports since 2001. France was the second most important supplier, with imports from this market valued at - 513.7 million. Other significant suppliers included the UK (278.4 million), the USA (240.2 million) and Germany (237 million).

Major Cities:
Birkirkara - largest with population 21,600.
Qormi
Mosta
Zabbar
Rabat
San Gwann
Sliema
Żejtun
Fgura
Żebbug
Ħamrun
Naxxar
Attard
Paola
Żurrieq
Birzebugia
Tarxien
Gzira
Siġġiewi
San Pawl il-Baħar

Location: Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 mi (97 km) south of the southeast tip of Sicily and 180 miles from the African continent.
Northern Latitude 36o00'00"
Eastern Longitude 14o36'00"

Size: The five Maltese islands Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto, and Filflawith have a combined land area smaller than Philadelphia. Malta is approximately 17 miles long and 9 miles wide, while the island of Gozo is roughly 9 miles by 5.
Total area of the Maltese Islands: 122 square mile or 316 km2

Time Zone:
Central European Time
Standard Time: GMT 1 hour
Summer Time: GMT 2 hour

Type of Government: Malta is a republic which follows Westminster system parliament. The unicameral house consists of 65 members which in turn selects a Prime Minister holding majority. The main political parties are Nationalist Party and Malta Labor Party. Presently Malta is governed by Nationalist Party with the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Dr. Alfred Sant of Malta Labor Party leads the opposition. President of Malta since 2004 is Mr. Eddie Fenech Adami.

National Holidays:
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Feb Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck.
19 Mar St Joseph's Day.
31 Mar Freedom Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
7 Jun Sette Giugno (Commemoration of 1919 Riot).
29 Jun Feast of St Peter and St Paul.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
8 Sep Our Lady of Victories.
21 Sep Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
13 Dec Republic Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Feb Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck.
19 Mar St Joseph's Day.
31 Mar Freedom Day.
22 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
7 Jun Sette Giugno (Commemoration of 1919 Riot).
29 Jun Feast of St Peter and St Paul.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
8 Sep Our Lady of Victories.
21 Sep Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
13 Dec Republic Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Most of the companies/shops in Malta follow an Italian custom to make a shut-down for approx. two weeks after the feast of The Assumption on August 15.

Population and Breakdown:
2006 estimated - 400,214 (growth rate: 0.4%) including foreigners residing in Malta for more than a year; 200,715 (49.7%) were males and 203,324 (50.3%) were females. 17.1 % were aged less than 14, 68.2% were within 15-64 age and remaining population comprised 13.7 per cent. birth rate: 10.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 3.9/1000; average life expectancy 79 (males 77, females 81), density per sq mile: 3,229; literacy rate 93%.

Religion: Roman Catholics 98%, traces of Protestants, Jews, Muslims.

Language: Maltese (written in Latin script) and English. Italian is also widely spoken.

Customs: Are there any local customs to be aware of? Religious places allow only modest dressed person to enter, legs and shoulders should be covered.

Best Time to go: Malta remains an all weather country. For sunbathing best months are July and August with temperatures at its peak. It also remains the busiest times for tourists to visit. For sightseeing April and June are best with pleasant weather. In rainy season from November to March tourists get plenty of offers from tour operators. Malta's sister island Gozo offers beautiful scenes in this season.

Currency:

1 Maltese Lira = 1.59208 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 0.62811 Maltese Lira (MTL)
1 Maltese Lira = 2.34134 Euro
1 Euro (EUR) = 0.42711 Maltese Lira (MTL)
1 Maltese Lira = 3.15736 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.31672 Maltese Lira (MTL)

Customs Regulations: How much liquor or cigarettes can you bring in with you?

The following items may be imported into Malta without incurring customs duty from non-EU countries:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1l of spirits and 1l of wine; 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; gifts to a value not exceeding Lm50.

The following items may be imported into Malta without incurring customs duty from EU countries:
800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (cigars not weighing more than 4g each), 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco; 10l of spirits, 20l of fortified wine, 90l of wine (including a maximum 60l of sparkling wine), 10l of beer; gifts to a value not exceeding Lm50.

Note: It is advisable to declare any larger or unusual items of electrical equipment brought into the islands (such as video cameras, portable televisions or video recorders), as this will prevent duty being levied on these items when leaving the country. Those under 17 cannot bring in alcohol or tobacco.

Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU - On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU's guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.

Tipping: Maltese people believe in long siesta. Most of the shops close at 1 PM and reopen only after 4:30 PM. The shops remain open till 7 PM in the evening. Do your shopping according to these timings.

Malta's public transport system offers a cheap and efficient way of touring the Island. The main bus terminus is situated just outside the City Gate in Valletta where buses operate to all parts of Malta, although there are also direct, point to point, services. In Gozo, the main bus terminus is in Victoria, the island's capital. The cost of a bus route ranges from 15 to 40 cents. Remember, the buses will stop running at around 10.00pm, and even earlier in Gozo, so be sure to make other arrangements for getting home.

Helicopter Services also operate between Malta and Gozo. There are up to eight flights daily operating from the Malta International Airport to the Xewkija Heliport in Gozo. The flight is only 10 to 15 minutes, making it the quickest and most convenient way to travel between the two islands.

By sea the Gozo Ferry is operated by The Gozo Channel Company. Ferries run regularly through the day and night in summer and stop running at around 2.00am in winter. Gozo is just 4 miles away and it takes around 25 minutes leaving from Cirkewwa to arrive at Gozo's main seaport, Imgarr. A ferry service runs between the capital Valletta and Sliema on the opposite side of the harbour at half hourly intervals from 8.00am to 6.00pm. The service is fast and convenient as it only takes 5 minutes to cross.

Renting a car is good option to reach far off positions. Driving is on the left. Speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (30mph) in residential areas.

You can find nearly everything you need in Malta. The main shopping centers are in Valletta, the capital, and Sliema, however you can even find two or three mini-markets and/or supermarkets in one village. Malta is well known for its handcrafted lace - manufactured mainly on the island of Gozo - Malta's sister island, glass blowing and pottery, which all make special gifts or souvenirs to take home. There is one open-air market daily at Merchants Street, Valletta. In other towns and villages, there is also one open-air market, but once a week on Sunday mornings.