Malta (island)
Stone Age hunters and farmers arrived from Sicily around 5200 BC to inhabit the island. Early Neolithic settlements appeared in open areas and inside caves like Għar Dalam. A culture of megalithic temple builders emerged or replaced these groups by 3500 BC. They constructed some of the oldest existing free-standing structures in human history. These temples include sites at both Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. After 2500 BC, the population largely disappeared before Bronze Age settlers returned. Newcomers established themselves at locations such as Borgh in-Nadur. They built the first fortifications on the island during this later period.
Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs ruled the territory over many centuries. The County of Sicily occupied Malta in 1091. Tancred, King of Sicily created Margaritus of Brindisi as the first Count of Malta in 1192. The island became part of the Kingdom of Sicily until 1530. In that year, the Order of Saint John received Malta along with Gozo and Tripoli. The Order and Maltese people withstood a major Ottoman invasion known as the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Napoleon's French forces occupied the island from 1798 to 1800. He resided at Palazzo Parisio in Valletta between the 12th of June and the 18th of June 1798. British control began in 1800 when they took over the territory. Malta gained independence in 1964 after about 150 years of British rule. The State of Malta became the Republic of Malta ten years later.
The climate classification is Subtropical-Mediterranean according to Köppen standards. Average yearly temperatures reach around 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees at night. January remains the coldest month with maximums near 16 degrees and minimums near 10 degrees. August brings the warmest conditions with highs around 32 degrees and lows near 23 degrees. Summers or holiday seasons last approximately eight months starting mid-April. Temperatures stay above 15 degrees until November ends. Valletta holds the title for the warmest winters among all European capitals. Average winter daytime temperatures hover around 15 degrees while nights drop to 10 degrees. Annual sunshine duration totals roughly 3,000 hours per year. This figure represents one of the highest results recorded across Europe. December averages five hours of daily sunshine while July exceeds twelve hours. London receives only 1,461 hours annually compared to Malta's total. Sea surface temperatures average 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year. February sees sea temperatures as low as 15 degrees while August reaches 27 degrees.
Until 1800, the island depended on cotton, tobacco, and shipyards for exports. The economy relied heavily on the Malta Dockyard to support the Royal Navy during the Crimean War of 1854. Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 boosted trade through massive increases in civilian shipping. Ships stopping at docks for refueling helped develop Entrepôt trade benefits. By the 1940s, the economy faced a serious crisis due to longer-range merchant ships requiring fewer stops. Film production emerged as a growing contributor after World War II reconstruction efforts. The first film shot locally was Sons of the Sea in 1925. Over 100 other films were partially or fully produced there including Gladiator released in 2000. Munich appeared in 2005 while World War Z came out in 2013. Banking and finance sectors grew significantly with Bank of Valletta and HSBC Bank Malta tracing origins to the 19th century. The Central Bank of Malta Act established the bank on the 17th of April 1968. Government announced sale of its 40% stake in MaltaPost on the 8th of January 2007.
About 95 percent of Malta constitutes an urban area according to United Nations data. Traffic drives on the left side of the road despite high car ownership rates. Buses serve as the primary method of public transport since their establishment in 1905. An extensive reform occurred in July 2011 changing management structures from self-employed drivers to single company operations. Arriva Malta won the public tender but ceased operations on the 1st of January 2014. Malta Public Transport took over nationalized bus services shortly after. Three large natural harbors exist along the coastline. Grand Harbour has functioned as a harbor since Roman times near Valletta. Marsamxett Harbour accommodates numerous yacht marinas on the western side. Marsaxlokk Harbour serves as the main cargo terminal at Birżebbuqia. Malta Freeport ranked 11th busiest container port in Europe with trade volume reaching 2.3 million TEUs in 2008. The only airport is Malta International Airport built on land formerly occupied by RAF Luqa air base. Two further airfields operated during World War II into the 1960s before closing.
Native Maltese people form the majority of the island population. British minorities include many retirees who have moved to the region. Government estimates placed total population at 409,259 people in 2013. Birkirkara stands as the largest city with 22,319 residents while Valletta holds just 6,675 inhabitants. The main language spoken is Maltese which descends from the now defunct Siculo-Arabic dialect. Substantial borrowing occurred from Sicilian and Italian languages over centuries. French influence entered later along with increasing English usage today. A long period of bilingualism transformed rural speech patterns ending in early 19th century. Eurobarometer surveys show 100 percent of the population speaks Maltese. Eighty-eight percent speak English while sixty-six percent know Italian. Seventeen percent communicate fluently in French. This widespread knowledge makes Malta one of the most multilingual countries within the European Union. Eighty-six percent express preference for Maltese over other options according to public opinion studies. Twelve percent prefer English and two percent choose Italian. Italian television channels from Mediaset and RAI remain popular across the islands.
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Common questions
When did Stone Age hunters and farmers arrive in Malta?
Stone Age hunters and farmers arrived from Sicily around 5200 BC to inhabit the island. Early Neolithic settlements appeared in open areas and inside caves like Għar Dalam.
Who received Malta along with Gozo and Tripoli in 1530?
The Order of Saint John received Malta along with Gozo and Tripoli in that year. The Order and Maltese people withstood a major Ottoman invasion known as the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
What is the average yearly temperature range in Malta?
Average yearly temperatures reach around 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees at night. January remains the coldest month with maximums near 16 degrees and minimums near 10 degrees.
Which bank was established by the Central Bank of Malta Act on the 17th of April 1968?
The Central Bank of Malta Act established the bank on the 17th of April 1968. Government announced sale of its 40% stake in MaltaPost on the 8th of January 2007.
When did Arriva Malta cease operations for public transport in Malta?
Arriva Malta won the public tender but ceased operations on the 1st of January 2014. Malta Public Transport took over nationalized bus services shortly after.