Facts and Figures

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean 80 km from southern Italy. Only the three largest islands – Malta (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna) – are inhabited. Malta has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, hotter in the inland areas. Rain occurs mainly in autumn and winter, with summer being generally dry.

Sunshine duration hours total around 3,000 per year, from an average 5.2 hours of sunshine duration per day in December to an average above 12 hours in July. The average yearly temperature is around 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) at night. The coldest month is January with the temperature ranging from 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F) during the day. The warmest month is August with the temperature ranging from 28 to 34 °C (82 to 93 °F) during the day.

Location:	Europe
Area:	316 km²
Length:	27 km
Width:	14.5 km
Population:	493,559
Capital:	Valletta
Official languages:	Maltese & English
Government:	Parliamentary Republic
Religion:	Roman Catholic (93.9%)
Currency:	Euro
Time Zone:	GMT + 1 hour
Driving side:	Left
Airport ISO Code:	MLA
Seaport:	Marsaxlokk
Cruise port:	Valletta
Cuisine:	Mediterranean
Domestic beer:	€ 2.50 a pint
Three-course meal:	€ 30.00 per person
Regular White Taxi:	€ 25.00 per taxi (one trip)

The History of the Maltese Islands

Malta has a long history and was first inhabited in around 5900 BC. The islands were repopulated in around 3850 BC by a civilization which at its peak built the Megalithic Temples, which today are among the oldest surviving buildings in the world. Malta’s prehistory ends in around 700 BC, when the islands were colonized by the Phoenicians. They ruled the islands until they fell to the Roman Republic in 218 BC until being repopulated by Arabs in the 11th century. The islands were invaded by the Norman County of Sicily in 1091, and a gradual Christianization of the islands followed. The islands were given to the Order of St. John in 1530, who ruled them as a vassal state of Sicily. The Order was expelled after the French First Republic invaded the islands in 1798, marking the beginning of the French occupation of Malta.

After a few months of French rule, the Maltese rebelled and the French were expelled in 1800 with British, Neapolitan and Portuguese assistance. Malta subsequently became a British protectorate, becoming a de facto colony in 1813. This was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris a year later. The islands became an important naval base for the British, serving as the headquarters of the Mediterranean Fleet. Due to this, Malta was attacked by the Axis powers during World War II, and in 1942 the island was awarded the George Cross, which today appears on Malta’s flag and coat of arms. Malta became independent as a Commonwealth realm known as the State of Malta in 1964, and it became a republic in 1974. Since 2004, the country has been a member state of the European Union.

This is Gozo’s, and arguably Malta’s, best beach. A wide stretch of red sand, it is often referred to locally as “Ramla il-Ħamra” – the Red Sandy Beach! Ramla is a wonderful place to swim, snorkel and chill out in the sun.

For centuries the coastline of Malta has been dotted with lookout posts or watch towers that were built by the Knights of Malta during the 17th century. These towers were manned nightly to watch the seaward approaches and to raise the alarm in the event of imminent threat. The positioning of these towers was planned as such so that one could see both neighbouring towers, which acted as an early warning system against invaders. As soon as one tower spotted a suspicious event, a fire signal was started which was picked up by the neighbouring towers, in so doing carrying on the message.

The times of sunrise and sunset in Malta are influenced by the country's moderate northern position in the hemisphere. The days in summer are long and in winter short. With up to approximately 14:40 hours the longest days are in June. On the other hand the longest dark nights happen in winter (in the southern hemisphere it is the other way around). In December a night in Valletta lasts almost 15 hours. These days the sun in Valletta rises at 5:30. The sunset on the other hand is currently late at 20:30 in the evening. 🌄

Coastal cliff communities are mainly located on the south, southwest and west coasts of Gozo. There are many plant taxa here including two, the Maltese Cliff-Orache Cremnophyton lanfrancoi and the Maltese Rock Centuary Palaeocyanus crassifolius, which belong to monotypic genera, both of which are endemic to the Maltese Islands 🌱

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Andersen

The Valletta Waterfront is an award-winning landmark on the Island of Malta. There are nineteen beautifully restored 18th century warehouses built during the late Baroque period, stretching along the water’s edge with a backdrop of historic bastions and fortifications. The gemstone buildings were originally constructed by Grandmaster Pinto to be used as stores by the Knights of St. John. Today, ushering in a modern era, the iconic doors have been revived with an artistic impression of colour, representing the storage of goods from days past, with blue for fish, green for produce, yellow for wheat and red for wine. The heritage buildings have been transformed into a variety of lively restaurants, retail outlets and office space, with diverse services on offer. The Valletta Waterfront is the key element of Valletta Cruise Port, as the recognized centre for thriving cruise business in Malta. The coloured doors are the first and last visual impression which lingers with our visiting guests. 🚪

Rosselli has six unique designer room categories all centered around historical detail. From the splendidly extravagant one-of-a-kind Suite for a memorable stay in the city to the remaining sumptuous rooms. All these rooms are Designer Suites that range from the boldly aesthetic to a delicate and soothing atmosphere packaged together with all the perks 🛏️

Lavish rooms, expensive linen, mesmerising decors and heavenly luxuries. We all need a really good break every once in a while, and checking into a boutique hotel is the perfect way to feel like royalty. 🛎️

The 720 berth Msida and Ta’ Xbiex Marina, can handle pleasure yachts of up to 22m in length. Long sought-after for the convenient central location and the shelter afforded from the prevailing North-Westerly winds, the marina is also naturally protected from other wind directions, while the breakwater protects against a North-Easterly swell. ⛵

May sees lots of sunshine, very little rain, warmer temperatures and is probably one of the nicer times for visiting Malta. The sea is warmer and many begin venturing into the water to dive, swim or generally enjoy themselves 🌊

Saint Mary's Tower, also known as the #Comino Tower, is a large bastioned watchtower on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built in 1618, the fifth of six Wignacourt towers. The tower was used by the Armed Forces of Malta until 2002, and it is now in the hands of @dinlarthelwa

Comino is a small, almost uninhabited island with a wonderful coastline and lovely scenery. There are many caves and small beaches to explore around the island, and of course, the famous Blue Lagoon 🐚

One of the greatest perks of being on a small island like Malta is the sheer number of opportunities available to enjoy the sunset over the horizon on the west coast 🌅

Malta is the perfect summer holiday destination for all holiday types. From family summer holidays and all-inclusive resorts, to boutique city hotels; a Malta and Gozo holiday will definitely give you holidays full of fantastic memories.

Throughout the heights of summer, the Prickly pear reigns supreme in Malta’s landscape. The small fruit gradually emerge throughout the year attached to the end of the leaves which ripen when they turn into any variety of bright colors 🌵

In Malta, the church or chapel is a common feature of the landscape. Many churches in Malta dominate the skyline, and the domes and steeples can usually be seen from across the island ⛪

For those hot summer days, you can go up and relax at the breathtaking rooftop outdoor pool in Malta, set on the 9th floor of AX The Palace – the highest point in Sliema to enjoy 360-degree views 🌅

From the oldest free-standing temples in the world to the dry stone rubble walls outlining fields, majestic fortifications, grand churches, opulent palazzos and the modest townhouses, Malta's history is virtually echoed in limestone 🧱

Traditional balconies certainly go a long way in defining the character of the Maltese urban landscape. Through their abundance of colours, materials, textures and decorative motifs, they enrich the visual aspect of Malta’s streets 🏘

In Malta, vehicles drive on the left hand side of the road. So, unless you’re from the UK that will take some getting used to as well as driving a right-hand drive car. Drive safe, as the rules and signs are sometimes seen as mere suggestions 🚦

There are approximately 2,300 pigeon fanciers in Malta. 1,400 of them race in 25 clubs, competing in one Federation. The island boasts the largest number of competing racing pigeon fanciers per capita world wide 🕊

The Comino project by Hili Hospitality will use local forces to produce energy and reduce consumption by a calculated 70 per cent, compared to a similar hotel. The project aims to consist of 70 rooms and a cluster of 21 residences which will occupy the same area of the current property. 🏝

The northern coast of Gozo is characterized by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans, named the Xwejni Salt Pans, protruding out into the sea. Salt pans have existed in this region since the Phoenician and Roman times, and the tradition actually continues in use today.

There are several marinas located around Malta which allow pleasure yachts of up to 22m in length. The majority are found in the centre of the island close to the capital city of Valletta or near the business area of St Julian's ⛵

The National Library of Malta, often known as the Bibliotheca, is a reference library in Valletta. It was founded by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc in 1776, and it has been a legal deposit library since 1925, with the largest collection of Melitensia along with that of the University of Malta. The library also contains the archives of the Order of St. John, the University of Mdina and the University of Valletta.

The Parliament of Malta is the first thing to see upon entering Valletta. The building was constructed between 2011 and 2015 to designs by Renzo Piano as part of the City Gate Project, which also included building a new City Gate and converting the ruins of the Royal Opera House into an open-air theatre 🏢