About Malta

Key facts MaltaMalta is just a “dot” in the Mediterranean Sea, but a very important one. From a historical point of view everyone wanted to rule this island; Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Knights of St. John, Sicilians, Spanish, French and British. From year 1000 BC to 1974 when the country at last became a republic: The Republic of Malta.

Today Malta has become a tourist heaven and the Maltese people are doing everything they can to handle the 1.2 million tourists that visit the country every year. It’s more than 3 times the population of Malta.

 

Weather and Climate
Best time to visit Malta is from April to October, but the mild climate ensures, that you can visit Malta all year round. The hottest month are July to September.

The average temperature in Valletta is in January 13°C (55,4°F) and in July 26°C (78,8°F).

Malta has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The precipitation is very low in the summertime. The most rainfall occurs from October to February.

The average precipitation in January is 90 mm. (3,5 in.) and in July 10 mm. (0,4 in.)

With over 3.000 sunshine hours per year, which averages to about 8 hours per day and with a daily mean temperature around 20°C (68°F), this must be the best climate in Europe.

 

Geography
Malta is a result of the alpine folding and its subsoil consists of limescale deposits. On the main island in the southwestern region, the hard coral calcium make up relatively barren rocks, while the softer Globigerina-chalk in the northeast has created a hilly and more fertile landscape (with easily accessible construction materials). Cracks in the limestone layers, created by faults and fractures makes drinking water inaccessible. Instead, this is manufactured in desalination plants.

Malta’s territory covers 316 sq. Km. (122 sq. Miles). Besides the main island of 246 sq. Km. (95 sq. Miles), Malta consists of two other islands; Gozo with 67 sq. Km. (26 sq. Miles) and Comino with only 3 sq. Km. (1 sq. Miles)

The highest point in Malta is Ta’ Dmejrek, at 253 metres (830 ft.)

 

5 things Malta is known for, outside Malta.

  • Knights of St. John (Ruled Malta from 1530-1798)
  • Mdina Glass (Hand-blown glass, founded in 1968)
  • Tarxien Temples (Archaeological complex, between 3.200-3.000 BC)
  • Pastizzi (Traditional Maltese Pastry Food)
  • St Paul’s Shipwreck (Around year 60 AD. Described in the New Testament)

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