Malta National Profile  

[ Geographical Location]

Malta is located in the central part of the Mediterranean Island Nation. According to Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East 3 Maritime hub, Malta is 93 km south of Sicily, Italy, 288 km north coast of North Africa, 1,826 km east of Gibraltar, and 1,510 km west of Alexandria. Malta, which has a total land area of 246 square kilometers, is the largest among the five major islands that comprise the Mediterranean Island Nation which has 316 square kilometers total land area. The other islands are Gozo Island with land area of 67 square kilometers, Comino Island with 27 square kilometers land area and the smallest, which is uninhabited, is Cominotto Bierfula Island . Topographically, Malta is hilly, no mountains and rivers. Thus, there is a shortage of fresh water. Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Aside from it, there are also 67 other cities in the country.

[Demographical Statistics]

Based on the December 2000 latest statistics survey, the country's population is 391,400. The men sum up to 193,700 and have an average life expectancy of 75.1 years while women sum up to 197,700 and have average life expectancy of 79.3 years. The total population of Malta is made up of 90% of its own people and the rest are Arabs, Italians, British and others. The country has a population density of 1,238 people per square kilometer.

Lifestyle And Work
Malta adopts a five-day work week system, where their free time is spent in outdoor activities. Residents near the seaside venue usually spend their free time in beach swimming, angling, or picnic. In addition to these, residents go on a Sunday mass, dine out with the family or go to public places of entertainment.

Malta has a good implementation of welfare policy, free medical care, free education, housing subsidies and pension systems. Thus, family income is mainly for their daily consumption. Household expenditure is mainly for the purchase of automobiles, household appliances and other consumer goods and travel abroad.

Language
Malta has an independent language. Aside from Maltese, English is also considered as the official language. Italian and Arabic are also very popular. School for elective languages would include German, Russian, French, Spanish and others. There are various language schools in the island and most of them are for English training.

Party polity --
Since 1814, Malta has been a British colony. However, on September 21, 1964 Malta formally declared its independence from the British crown. Because of the British occupation, Malta used to be a member of the Commonwealth. It must therefore subject itself to the implementation of the constitutional monarchy, must recognize the British Queen as the supreme head of state and must obey the Queen’s appointed Governor to Malta. On December 13, 1974, Malta, through the amendments to the constitution, has changed its form of government into a Republican System. The new form of government is headed by the president which must be elected and shall serve for a term of five years.

[Climate]  
Malta has a long hot summer and comfortable winter. From April to August, the average temperature is 25.9 degrees, while the highest temperature recorded during the day ordeals to 40 degrees; During the months of December, January and February, the average temperature is 13.3 degrees while the lowest temperature at night in winter is 8 degrees. Malta also experiences summer drought and slight winter rainfall. In 1990 to 1999, the annual average rainfall is 622.4 mm. The country shall be scorched with the heat of summer until September then the wet season follows until mid-April. In addition to sporadic heavy rain or thunderstorm, virtually there is no rainfall. Moreover, Malta has high humidity, especially in the southeast. Wind blowing will be several times higher than the relative humidity (60 to 85% between the changes) period. The good news is that, Malta does not experience typhoons, tsunamis and other disastrous weather.

[Capital]
VALLETTA , Malta ( Valletta)
Valletta is the capital of the Republic of Malta. It is a European City which is rich in culture and traditions. Valletta was named after Lavallette who was the sixth leader of the Knights of St. John. Lavallette came into power in 1557-1568, and through his power, he built Valletta City to become the country’s political, cultural and commercial center. Valletta holds a total population over 10,000. For the great a rchitectural layout of the city just look straight to Shing. The cornerstones on both sides of some buildings were built of limestone colored gray and white. The Middle East has a strong Arab architectural style which had a great impact on the Malta’s architectural style.
In 1565, under the leadership of Lavallette, Malta had achieved "major siege" campaign victory, but suffered heavy losses. At that time, the fortresses were heavily ruined by the invading Turks. With this ,

Lavallette decided to build another fortress that would be the strongest point of resistance to the invading Turks. Hence, Lavallette led his men in building a city of what is now called Valletta. As the "siege" of victory took place, the Knights became heroes in Europe and the European countries have provided wealth and technology for Valletta to be build even stronger. In 1566, five years after the completion of the city’s foundation and reinforcement of the half-century wall, the Turks never invaded the City of Valletta again  

Just a few meters from Valletta opens the city's assistance building with a Langjieluo Francis Kola Molaili design. To enhance the function of defensive backs to the sea side of Fort St. Aiermo, the security guards have left the Gulf separated to Di Nie Fort and Fort Manuel. In front of a three-phase for the ancient city, (after the Shing Mun direction, Ms. Ana built defensive fortifications), which is at the core of Valletta City showcases the City’s architectural layout and tidiness. It has lot of monuments like the "three Poseidon" Fountain (built in 1959)in front of the city, the Phoenician Hotel; City National Archaeological Museum, Arts, Manuel Theater which was built in 1571 by the Knights, Leaders Palace (now the Presidential Palace) which was built in 1578 by the Knight of St. John, the St. John's Cathedral and other buildings. Valletta City is blessed to have St. John’s Cathedral which epitomizes a typical late Renaissance architecture. This piece of religious art, which is located adjacent to the Prime Minister’s Garden overlooking the Dagang scenery, has now become a landmark of the city’s rich religious art heritage.