General Information and Weather

Malta is comprised of an archipelago of islands lying virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with the main three islands being Malta (the largest), Gozo (which is smaller and more rural), and Comino (which is much smaller and largely uninhabited). The capital city of Malta is Valletta and the state’s official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese being the native language. The official and dominant religion is Roman Catholicism, as can be conveyed by the large number of churches and chapels dotted all over the country.

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Malta covers around 300 km² in land area, which makes it one of Europe’s smallest and most densely populated countries (with its population including over 400,000 people).

The time zone in Malta is Central European Time (CET) (GMT+1).
The calling code is +356.

History

Malta has often been referred to as a kaleidoscope of civilisations. This eclectic and culturally fascinating country is steeped in rich history which leaps back nearly 7,000 years.

Malta offers a captivating collection of unforgettable sights, and is especially known for its world heritage sites such as the oldest free-standing structures in Europe, the Megalithic Temples, and other archaeological marvels. Despite its size, visitors are always impressed at the assortment of things to do and see. Malta is the perfect place to combine cultural excursions with all the benefits of an island getaway.

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A diverse sequence of powers has had control over the Maltese islands throughout history, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Knights of St John, French and British. In 1964, Malta became independent, and ten years later became a Republic. It still retains membership within the Commonwealth of Nations, and is a member of the United Nations. Malta acceded to the European Union in 2004, and now is also part of the Schengen zone (since 2007) and the Euro-zone (since 2008). Therefore, the currency used is the Euro.

Due to this delightful and intriguing combination of influences and cultures having an effect on the Maltese Islands, from the architecture to the cuisine, visitors have an exciting range of options to choose from during their stay.

The MARITIM occupies a prime spot from where one can trace back Malta’s history, from Malta’s ever-relevant strategic importance to the development of a vibrant, thriving nation.

The Weather

Maltese weather ranges from pleasant to sweltering in summer, with the occasional rain showers and chilly evenings in winter. The Maltese climate is a mild and typically Mediterranean one, with monthly averages ranging from 12º C (54ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF). Being an archipelago, the Maltese islands are the recipients of regular strong winds, and the relative humidity is consistently high and rarely falls below 40%.