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Find below some factual information about
Malta and Gozo, which may be of interest to visitors
looking for some background to their selected holiday vacation
destination.
If you are also looking for tourist information
about accommodation in
Malta or Gozo, hotel
booking, self catering apartment accomodation
or car hire, we have compiled this
Malta tourist information guide to services and products you would most
likely make use of during your vacations in Malta and Gozo, from
low-cost holiday lodging in privately owned accommodations and
guesthouses, though luxury hotels, auto rentals and entertainment, information
you will certainly find useful. For your coming Malta
holidays, you may book directly and save, check
availability of accommodation to rent, car hire, and
obtain useful Malta
tourist information about things to do and places to visit in Malta and Gozo.
Many apartments, villas,
hotels, Gozo farmhouses and other
holiday accommodation types are available in Malta and Gozo, many of the
self-catering accommodations having swimming pool and/or sun terraces.
Self-catering apartments / holiday flats or similar can offer you an
inexpensive, independent lodging. Prefer hotels? Many
Malta hotels are also listed.
Rent a car from the reputable car hire companies
featured, many car hire
firms in Malta and Gozo are offering air-conditioned, automatic cars,
Jeeps, economy cars for hire, all available to rent at competitive
direct-booking rates.
If you are looking for information about diving in Malta and Gozo,
the most popular dive sites, etc, click through to
the diving schools listed for an undersea holiday experience to
remember.
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Background:
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Great Britain formally
acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK
through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became
independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the
mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transhipment
point, a financial centre, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU
member in May of 2004. |
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Location:
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Southern Europe, islands in
the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) |
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Geographic coordinates:
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35 50 N, 14 35 E
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Area:
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total: 316 sq km
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Coastline:
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196.8 km (does not include
56.01 km for the island of Gozo) |
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Climate:
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Mediterranean with mild,
rainy winters and hot, dry summers |
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Terrain:
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mostly low, rocky, flat to
dissected plains; many coastal cliffs |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) |
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Natural resources:
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limestone, salt, arable land
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Land use:
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arable land: 28.13%
permanent crops: 3.13%
other: 68.74% (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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20 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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NA
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Environment - current issues:
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very limited natural fresh
water resources; increasing reliance on desalination |
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Geography - note:
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the country comprises an
archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo,
and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbours;
Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the
continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
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Population:
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398,534 (July 2005 est.)
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Nationality:
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noun: Maltese
(singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese |
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Ethnic groups:
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Maltese (descendants of
ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and
other Mediterranean stock) |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 98%
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Languages:
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Maltese (official), English
(official) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form:
Republic of Malta
conventional short form: Malta
local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form: Malta |
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Government type:
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Republic
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Capital:
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Valletta
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Independence:
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21 September 1964 (from UK)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 21
September (1964) |
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Constitution:
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1964 constitution; amended
many times |
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Legal system:
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based on English common law
and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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Flag description:
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two equal vertical bands of
white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a
representation of the George Cross, edged in red |
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Economy - overview:
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Major resources are
limestone, a favourable geographic location, and a productive labour force.
Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water
supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on
foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and
tourism. Continued sluggishness in the European economy is holding back
exports, tourism, and overall growth. |
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Agriculture - products:
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potatoes, cauliflower,
grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork,
milk, poultry, eggs |
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Industries:
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tourism; electronics, ship
building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear,
clothing, tobacco |
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Currency (code):
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Maltese lira (MTL)
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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208,300 (2003)
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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290,000 (2003)
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6
(1999) |
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Internet users:
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120,000 (2002)
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Highways:
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total: 2,222 km
paved: 2,000 km
unpaved: 222 km (2002) |
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Ports and harbours:
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Marsaxlokk, Valletta
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Airports:
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1 (2004 est.)
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