|
Area
|
316 sq km (122 sq miles). |
|
Population
|
382,525 (official estimate
2000). |
|
Population density
|
1210 per sq km. |
|
Capital
|
Valletta. (Population:
7048). |
|
Geography
|
The Maltese archipelago
is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, with the largest inhabited
island, Malta, lying 93km (58 miles) south of Sicily and 290km (180
miles) from North Africa. Gozo and Comino are the only other inhabited
islands. The landscape of all three is characterised by low hills
with terraced fields. Malta has no mountains or rivers. Its coastline
is indented with harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves.
Gozo is connected to Malta by ferry and is more thickly vegetated,
with many flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs. Comino, the smallest
island, is connected to Malta and Gozo by ferry and is very sparsely
populated. |
|
Government
|
Republic. Gained independence
from the UK in 1964. Head of State: President Guido de Marco since
1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami since
1998. |
|
Language
|
Maltese (a Semitic language)
and English are the official languages. Italian is also widely spoken. |
|
Religion
|
Roman Catholic. |
|
Time
|
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from
last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). |
|
Electricity
|
240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style
three-pin plug are in use. |
|
Telephone
|
IDD is available. Country
code: 356. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00.
Public telephone booths are widely available. |
|
Mobile telephone
|
GSM 900 and 1800 networks
exist, with extensive coverage of land and sea. Network providers
include Vodafone Malta (www.vodafonemalta.com)
and GoMobile (www.go.com.mt)
|
|
Fax
|
Maltacom PLC provides
an international service through its offices and branches. Also available
at hotels. |
|
Internet
|
Various ISPs with a good
local network including cable & ADSL. There are a good few Internet
cafes.
|
|
Telegram
|
Can be sent from Maltacom
PLC, St Georges Road, St Julian’s. |
|
Post
|
Good postal services exist
within the island. |
|
Press
|
Maltese dailies include
L’Orizzont and In-Nazzjon Taghna. The daily English-language
newspapers published on the island are The Times and The Malta Independent.
The Malta Business Weekly, The Malta Independent on Sunday and the
Sunday Times are also available. |
