Malta overview
Malta is a group of islands located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, around 90Km off the southern coast of Sicily and around 290Km from the North African coastline. The archipelago consists of the principal island is Malta, which is also the seat of government, together with the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. With an area of 316 km2 and a population of around 500,000, Malta is the smallest EU member state.
- Capital: Valletta
- Currency: euro (EUR)
- Population: 502,653 (2019)
- Electricity: 230 volt / 50 hertz (BS 1363)
- Country code: +356
- Time zone: UTC+01:00
- Emergencies: 112
- Driving side: left
The island is rocky with low lying areas in the South and sheer cliffs to the North. Vegetation is sparse and characterized by a patchwork of meticulously terraced fields carved into the rock face to make the best use of the available arable land as well as to make the most of run off water.
Climate
The climate is mild with dry warm summers which tend to get rather hot particularly during August and short, damp winters with the coldest month usually being February. On average, Malta enjoys around 300 days of annual sunshine.
History
Malta’s prominent historical role far belies its natural size. Strategically located at the cross roads between Europe and Africa, Malta has endured occupation by the leading civilisations throughout over 7,000 years of recorded history. In fact the world’s oldest free standing buildings are to be found in Malta and Gozo with the ‘Ggantija’ temples estimated to be over 5,600 years old and predating the pyramids of Giza and Stonhenge.
Economy
Malta has transformed from a British Crown colony into a dynamic, diversified economy focused on tourism, industry, and financial services. Tourism remains a strong pillar, with over 1 million annual arrivals, while the industrial sector has attracted major international companies.
Lacking natural resources, Malta relies on a highly educated and adaptable workforce. Over 60% of students pursue tertiary education, supported by advanced training institutions like the Malta College for Arts, Science & Technology, which collaborates with international firms such as Lufthansa Technik.
The standout sector is financial services, poised to become the top contributor to Malta’s GDP. The country offers EU-compliant regulations, is on the OECD white list, and has double tax treaties with 50+ countries. The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) oversees the sector with a proactive and flexible approach.
Malta is also a pioneer in remote gaming regulation and ranks among the world’s leaders in ICT usage, benefiting from partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft to digitalize public services.
Lifestyle
The Maltese make the best of the mild climate and spend a large proportion of their free time outdoors in a typical, cosmopolitan Mediterranean lifestyle. A strong ‘café culture’ exists and open air café’s are to be found in all the principal town center. The island is considered to be safe and mostly free from violent crime. The Maltese also have a tradition and reputation for hospitality and for welcoming visitors and longer term residents.
Connections
Malta’s location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa makes it a true hub of international connectivity. The island is just a short flight — between 1 to 3 hours — from most major European capitals, with frequent direct flights linking it to cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt. There are also regular routes to the Middle East, including convenient connections via Dubai, making travel across continents swift and simple.
By sea, Malta maintains strong maritime links, especially with Sicily and mainland Italy, and serves as a preferred port of call for luxury cruise liners exploring both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Strategically positioned along key global shipping routes, Malta is also a major player in maritime logistics. The Malta Freeport is one of the busiest transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean, used by leading international shipping lines to move goods efficiently across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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