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Malta country profile

27 August 2006
by eub2 -- last modified 04 July 2012

Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta became a Member State of the European Union on 1 May 2004.


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Maltese flag

Year of EU entry: 2004

Member of Schengen area:Yes

Political system: Republic

Capital city: Valletta

Total area: 316 kmĀ²

Population: 0.4 million

Currency: euro

Listen to the official EU languages: Maltese , English

Map of MaltaMalta is a group of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited. The terrain is low and rocky with coastal cliffs.

Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. The country has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat , meaning safe haven. Later the islands were for centuries the seat of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John and then part of the British Empire. Malta became independent in 1964.

The Maltese government is headed by the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the unicameral House of Representatives, known in Maltese as Kamra tar-Rapprez.entanti .

The national language is Maltese, which is part of the Semitic language family that includes Arabic. English is also recognised as an official language, and many Maltese also speak Italian.

Tourism is important in Malta but the island also has an expanding services sector.

Traditional Maltese food includes soup (minestrone, fish), pasta and pastry dishes. Stuffed dishes are also a feature of Maltese cuisine. Stuffat Tal-Fenek (rabbit stew) is a national dish.

Useful links


The Commission's Representation in Malta

European Parliament office in Malta

Maltese Government

Tourist information


Source: European Commission

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