Malta – An IntroductionLuiza Cristina Bandiu

Map of Malta

Malta – General Overview • Officially named as the Republic of Malta • Centre of the Mediterranean Sea

• The total area of Malta is 316 square kilometres whilst Denmark occupies 43,094 square kilometres

• Its population in 2010 was of 416 333

people

• The territory is now divided into 67 different localities (53 in Malta; 14 in Gozo & Comino)

• The country gained Independence from the United Kingdom in September 1964

• In 1974 Malta was proclaimed as a Republic within the Commonwealth

• Malta became a Member of the European Union on 1st May 2004

• The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino.

• Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre.

• Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely uninhabited.

• With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

• One of the world's smallest countries.

• Its capital city is Valletta.

• The country has two official languages – Maltese and English – with Maltese being considered the national language.

• Throughout history, Malta's location has given it great strategic importance, and a sequence of powers including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Knights of the Order of St. John, French and British all ruled the islands.

• Maltese currency since 2008 is the Euro.

• Catholicism is the official religion in Malta.

• Malta is internationally renowned as a tourist resort, with numerous recreational areas and 1000s of historical monuments, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most prominently the Megalithic Temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world

• Economy – Malta’s highest economic contributor is the Service Sector mainly from Tourism, Financial services, Logistics and I.C.T.

• Malta received over 1.3 million tourists in 2012.

• Malta has its own national airline; AirMalta

• Air and sea are the only two

ways to get to the islands. There are no trains to connect Malta with the neighbouring country of Italy.

Weather • Mediterranean climate.

• A very sunny climate with a daily average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter to around 12 hours in summer.

• Winters are mild, with the occasional very short chilly period. Average winter temperature is 15 °c. With the coldest few nights reaching 8 to 5°c at night.

• Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Average summer temperature is c. 35 °c which can also escalate even higher.

• Annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year, and the length of the dry season in summer is longer than in neighbouring Italy. Sea bathing is quite possible well in to the ‘winter’ months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to late October.

• It NEVER snows in Malta.

Places to Visit•Valletta - Capital city; holds buildings from

the 16th century; palaces, bastions churches, museums, Gardens and waterfronts and shopping.

•Mdina - Malta’s medieval fortified and old capital city, also known as the silent city. ▫Contains numerous churches,

palaces, museums, narrow winding streets and breath-taking views.

•Sliema and St. Julian’s area ▫Modern areas full of hotels, bars, clubs,

discos, shops and other entertainment facilities.

▫Paceville – hub for night life.

Beaches in Malta •Mellieħa – Għadira Bay

•Ġnejna Bay

•Paradise Bay

Comino•Blue Lagoon

Gozo

Maltese Vibrant Culture •Maltese Carnival

▫A four-day event ▫Occurs in February▫Colourful floats ▫Parades ▫Carnival Balls and Parties

•Local Feasts

▫Each locality organises one to two feasts

▫Feast occupy the whole summer period

▫All feasts are dedicated to Biblical Saints

▫Bands, processions, load music, colourful

fireworks, road decoration and food kiosks are

staples of a Maltese festa.

Isle of MTV •MTV concert which has been going on for the

past five years.•Singers like Lady Gaga,LMFAO, Akon, Snoop

Dog, Black Eyed Peas, Jessie J, Rita Ora and much more.

Traditional Food – Brief History • With the arrival of the Phoenicians in

Malta, a large scale olive oil industry was initiated in the Islands.

• Under Arab rule, Malta experienced new agriculture-linked innovations. The Maltese were introduced to new crops, like carob, figs and citrus.

• Radical changes were experienced under the British rule, from 1800 to 1964. The dietary habits of British families were quickly adopted by the Maltese. Foods such as fry-ups, roast meat meals, custard, sponge cakes, biscuits and puddings became staples in many local households.

• The tourism industry also had an impact on the food system in Malta. Preparation of foreign food cuisines to suit the needs of the visiting tourists.

Traditional food items• Pastizzi and Qassatat

▫Pastry filled delicacies ▫Very cheap

• Ħobż biż-żejt ▫Traditional Maltese bread filled with a

mixture of tuna, tomatoes, capers and olives.

• Maltese Bread

• Ġbejniet (cheese lets)

•Torta tal-Lampuki

•Ross il-Forn (backed rice)

•Braġjoli

•Rabbit & Horse meat

•Stewed Octopus

• Timpana

• Swordfish in caper sauce

• Aljotta (fish broth)

• Ravjul

Maltese Sweets

• Mqaret

• Qubbajt (nougat)

• Qagħaq tal-għasel (honey rings)

Maltese Drinks • Maltese soft drink -

• KINNIE

▫ Bitter oranges and aromatic herbs

• Maltese beer

• CISK

Maltese Snacks • Savoury Cheese Snack • Twistees

▫ Baked Cheese Sticks

• Savoury Crackers • Galletti

Sports in Malta • Malta Sports, similarly, reflect the enthusiasm and fun

loving attitude of the local people.

• They work hard all week long to earn their bread and butter. But in the weekend they prefer to enjoy themselves.

• This is when they involve themselves in some sports that brings down the stress and at the same time helps them to stay fit.

• Malta Sports consist of a few particular events like football, cricket, rugby, diving or netball.

• Football is very popular in Malta even though Malta never makes it to the Euro/World cup. (Polarised team support – English teams vs Italian Teams).

• Malta’s rugby team is increasing in both popularity and success and was very close in making it to the Rugby World cup of 2010.

• Malta won the 1st ever gold medal for clay shooting in the small nations Olympic games.

Agriculture in Malta • Agriculture is carried out in small fields, consisting usually

of strips of soil between rocks, and is characterized to a large extent by terracing.

• Wheat, barley, and grapes are the principal crops for domestic consumption, while potatoes, onions, wine, cut flowers, seeds, and fruit are the chief export crops.

Religious Practices • Around 95% of the people in Malta are

Roman Catholicism.

• There is the presence in Malta of as many as 365 catholic churches which play a very important role in the life of the Maltese people.

• Most of the churches in Malta are characterized by the presence of statues of Mary and other Saints and chandeliers made out of crystal.

• Since the most prominent Malta religion is Roman Catholicism, the important festivals observed in Malta include Christmas and Good Friday.

• Street and house names and religious figures in roads are evidence of the strong Catholic faith.

Internal Public Transport • A new service which started to operate

in July of 2011 replacing the traditional ‘Malta Bus’.

• New company - Arriva

• Bus stops are found every 5 to 10 minutes walking distance.

• Tickets can be bought per trip, per day and also per week.

• Arriva Malta buses operate from 05.30 to 23.00 daily both in Malta and Gozo on all the routes together with a night service on 14 routes from 23.00 to 05.00.

•

Local Crafts • Lace-making

▫ Maltese lace is a direct descendent of Genoese lace although it developed its own character, often including the Maltese cross design.

▫ Bobbin lace is made with a number of threads; ghazel in Maltese. A pattern is drawn up on parchment paper and holes pricked to show where the pins should be placed to keep the linen threads in position while the lace is made.

▫ In Gozo today, you may be lucky enough to glimpse women sitting outside their front doors working lace as the Island’s women did in centuries past.

• Pottery and Glassware

▫ Pottery ranks among the most ancient of Maltese crafts.

▫ Today, the pottery industry creates useful and fun objects, household items and souvenirs ranging from candlesticks, pendants, decorative tiles to lamps and flower pots.

▫ Glassware is a relatively new craft, although the industry was present on the islands in Phoenician times. Entirely mouth blown and hand made, much of the glassware today is a type of original Maltese glass in strong Mediterranean colours. You can see glass-blowing at the Craft Villages in Malta and Gozo.

Other Useful points • Maltese people speak loudly between each other and use a lot of

hand gestures.

• Maltese houses have a flat roof since it does not snow.

• Maltese people drive on the left-hand side (just like the U.K.).

• Do NOT drink tap water.

• Most shops open from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. on weekends and from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. on Saturday. Most shops are closed on Sundays and Public holidays.

• Fruit and other local produce are both delicious and very cheap. • Maltese apartments do NOT have central heating systems so get

pyjamas to sleep in.

• Drinking alcohol and clubbing is NOT allowed under the age of 17 years.

Things you can do on the weekends• Cinema

• Hop-on Hop-off

• Bowling

• Hikes near the Maltese Cliffs

• Picnics on the beaches

• Clubbing

• Visit to Gozo

• Visit the 3 Cities (Cottonera

area – Maritime hub)

• Visit Marsaxlokk (fishing

village – Open market on

Sundays)

Electricity • The electrical supply is 230 volts +/- 10%.  The frequency

of the supply is 50 hertz. The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.

• Adapters are very easy to find.

QUIZ.....

1. What are the colours of the Maltese

flag?

2. When did Malta join the European

Union?

3. What is the name of the 2nd biggest

Island?

4. What is the name of the capital city?

5. Mdina is known as the _______ city.

6. What is the currency (money) in

Malta?

7. What is the official religion of Malta?

8. What is the name of the Maltese national

airline?

9. Does it snow in Malta?

10.In which month does the Maltese Carnival

take place?

11.What is the name of the Maltese soft drink?

12.In which sport did Malta win a gold medal?

Thank you for your attention

Luiza Cristina Bandiuluiza.bandiu@paragoneurope.eu