Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's cave - Malta isn't just old, it's positively mythic. The narrow cobblestone streets of its towns are crowded with Norman cathedrals and baroque palaces. The countryside's littered with the oldest known human structures in the world. Malta's very good at selling its romantic past of Copper Age temple builders and crusading celibate knights, and it's used this image to crank up a formidable tourism industry.

Valletta, a World Heritage City
Once a fortress home to the Knights, now the Islands' vibrant capital.

Geography
Location : Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, 100 km south of Sicily (Italy)

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.

Area : Total : 316 sq km ; Land: 316 sq km ; Inland Water: 0 sq km

Coastline : 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo )

Maritime Claims : Territorial sea: 12 nm ; Contiguous zone: 24 nm ; Continental shelf: 200-m ; Depth or to the depth of exploitation ; Exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Climate : Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Status
After the reign of the Knights and two years under French rule, Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunch- A decade later Malta became a republic. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a finanly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Malta became an EU member in Commonwealth when it became May of 2004. independent in 1964.

Government
Pluralist democracy; parliamentary system made up of a president, vice-president and a parliament of 69 members

Important Date
September 21, 1964: independence after British occupation of 164 years

Capital: Valetta

Principal cities & Harbours

• Mdina
• Sliema
• St. Julians
• Port & Harbours : Marsaxlokk, Valletta, Mgarr (Gozo)

Currency: Maltese lira (MTL)

Languages spoken
English, Maltese

Economy Overview
Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor 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.

Malta is privatizing Industries : tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Public Holidays

• Saturday 1st January : New Year's Day
• Thursday 10th February : Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck
• Saturday 19th March : Feast of St. Joseph
• Friday 25th March : Good Friday
• Thursday 31st March* : Freedom Day
• Sunday 1st May : Workers' Day
• Tuesday 7th June* : Sette Giugno
• Wednesday 29th June : Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul
• Monday 15th August : Feast of the Assumption
• Thursday 8th September* : Feast of Our Lady of Victories
• Wednesday 21st September* : Independence Day
• Thursday 8th December : Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Tuesday 13th December* : Republic Day
• Sunday 25th December : Christmas Day