Overview
With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times falling under the control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination, as its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in 2004 and joined the eurozone in 2008.
Geography
- Location
- Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
- Total Area
- 316 sq km
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
- Terrain
- mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
- Natural Resources
- limestone, salt, arable land
- Coastline
- 196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
- Land Borders
- 0 km
People & Society
- Population
- 521,828 (2025 est.)
- Languages
- Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
- Life Expectancy
- 83.6 years (2024 est.)
- Urbanization
- 94.9% of total population (2023)
Government
- Government Type
- parliamentary republic
- Capital
- Valletta
- Independence
- 21 September 1964 (from the UK)
- Constitution
- many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964
- Legal System
- mixed system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law
- Executive Branch
- President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
Economy
- Economic Overview
- high-income, EU-member European economy; diversified portfolio; euro user; dependent on food and energy imports; strong tourism, trade, and manufacturing sectors; high North African immigration; large welfare system; educated workforce
- GDP (Official Rate)
- $24.322 billion (2024 est.)
- Major Industries
- tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services