Discover Fascinating Malta Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Malta.

Malta

Background

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น Malta's Rich History

Did you know that Malta has a civilization that goes back thousands of years? It is home to some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

After being a British colony from 1814, Malta gained its independence in 1964 and became a republic a decade later in 1974. โœจ

Since the mid-1980s, Malta has transformed itself into a bustling freight transshipment point, a shining financial center, and an exciting tourist destination. ๐ŸŒโœˆ๏ธ

It's fascinating how Malta has evolved over time, holding onto its ancient history while stepping into the modern age! ๐ŸŒŸ

Period of British Colony

1814-1964

Year of Independence

1964

Year of Republic Declaration

1974

Transformation Start Year

1980s

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒ Malta is known for its diverse range of exports! Hereโ€™s what the tiny yet bustling island nation is sending out into the world ๐ŸŒŸ:

  1. Integrated Circuits: These tiny chips are super important for all kinds of electronic devices, making them a key export for Malta! โšก
  2. Packaged Medicine: Malta plays a clever role in the healthcare industry by exporting packaged medicine that helps people around the globe stay healthy! ๐Ÿ’Š
  3. Refined Petroleum: Another important commodity, refined petroleum fuels cars, planes, and lots of machinery! ๐Ÿš—โœˆ๏ธ
  4. Fish: With its beautiful coastline, Malta also exports delicious fish ๐ŸŸ, perfect for seafood lovers!
  5. Postage Stamps/Documents: Unique in their way, Malta even exports beautiful postage stamps and important documents, contributing to its rich history! ๐Ÿ“œโœ‰๏ธ

Isn't it cool how Malta, though small, contributes such a variety of goods to the global market? ๐ŸŒŸ

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Malta has exciting trading partners! ๐Ÿ›ณ๏ธ In 2022, the distribution of exports to different countries is as follows:

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany: 12%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy: 6%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France: 6%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Japan: 5%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Singapore: 5%

Together, these countries make up Malta's trade world! Can you guess which one is the biggest partner? That's right, it's Germany! ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Let's take a closer look at these nations' share of Malta's exports! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Percentage of Key Export Partners

34%

Malta's Export Partners in 2022

Capital

๐Ÿ›๏ธ The dazzling capital of Malta is Valletta! This tiny yet vibrant city is bursting with history, stunning architecture, and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. ๐ŸŒŠ It's packed with charm and has loads of attractions waiting to be explored.

Imports - commodities

In 2022, Malta imported various exciting commodities that strengthen its market! ๐Ÿšข Hereโ€™s a look at what they brought in:

  • Ships: Malta invested in
  • Refined Petroleum: Malta's need for energy keeps this commodity essential. โ›ฝ
  • Aircraft: Flying high with international connections! โœˆ๏ธ
  • Integrated Circuits: Powering up technology! ๐Ÿ’ป
  • Packaged Medicine: Ensuring health and wellness for everyone! ๐Ÿ’Š

These imports play a vital role in boosting Malta's economy and keeping its industries running smoothly.

Climate

๐ŸŒž Malta has a Mediterranean climate that adds to its charm! With mild and rainy winters, it's perfect for cozy days indoors. But when summer hits, get ready for hot and dry weather! ๐Ÿ–๏ธ This unique blend of weather makes Malta an attractive spot for visitors all year round.

Executive branch

In Malta, the Executive Branch is made up of two important leaders! ๐ŸŒŸ First, we have the chief of state, President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO who has been in office since April 4, 2024. ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ That's only a short time, and she plays a key role in representing the Maltese people. Then, we have the head of government, Prime Minister Robert ABELA, who has been leading since January 13, 2020. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ His job is to manage the government and make important decisions for the country. Together, they guide Malta towards a bright future! ๐Ÿš€

Current President

Myriam Spiteri DEBONO

Current Prime Minister

Robert ABELA

President since

April 4, 2024

Prime Minister since

January 13, 2020

Legislative branch

In Malta, the Legislative branch is comprised of a unicameral House of Representatives, which means there is only one chamber that makes the laws. This House of Representatives has a total of 65 seats! ๐ŸŒŸ This structure allows for a focused approach to governance, where elected representatives can work together to shape the future of Malta. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Total seats in the House of Representatives

65

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Malta is rich in some unique natural resources! Here are the highlights:

  • Limestone: This is a major natural resource for Malta, used extensively in construction and industrial production.
  • Salt: Yes, salt is important too! Malta has a long history of salt production, especially from its coastal areas.
  • Arable Land: While Malta is small, it does have arable land which is crucial for agriculture and local farming. ๐ŸŒฑ

These resources are vital for Malta's economy and help shape its beautiful landscapes!

Natural resources in Malta

Limestone, Salt, Arable land

Economic overview

๐ŸŒ Malta's economy is an exciting mixed bag! It's a high-income nation and a proud member of the European Union. ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ The economy is nicely diversified, which means it doesn't rely on just one thing to stay strong. ๐Ÿ’ช Malta uses the euro ๐Ÿ’ถ and imports a lot of its food and energy.

Tourism is a big deal here! ๐Ÿ–๏ธ With a robust trade and manufacturing sector, this little island knows how to make things happen. ๐ŸŽ‰ Additionally, there's a lot of North African immigration, which adds to the multicultural vibe. ๐ŸŒ Malta also has a large welfare system, supporting its people. Finally, an educated workforce helps keep the economy vibrant and ready for challenges! ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ’ผ

Economic Diversity

Diversified portfolio

Currency

Euro user

Tourism Sector

Strong

Immigration

High North African immigration

Welfare System

Large

Workforce Education

Educated workforce

Government type

๐ŸŒ Malta is a parliamentary republic! In this system, the government is elected by the parliament, and the leader of the country is usually the head of the party that has the most seats. ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ This means that the citizens play a big role in choosing their leaders! It's all about teamwork and representation! ๐Ÿ‘ซ

Ethnic groups

In the beautiful country of Malta, the people are known as Maltese! ๐Ÿ๏ธ The Maltese people have a rich heritage, tracing their roots back to ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Over time, they've absorbed strong influences from Italian and other Mediterranean cultures, making their ethnicity a wonderful blend! ๐ŸŒŠโœจ

Religions

In Malta, the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, which holds an official status and is embraced by over 90% of the population! ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡นโ›ช This strong Catholic identity shapes many aspects of Maltese culture and traditions. It's fascinating to see how such a high percentage of a country practices the same religion, creating a cozy community feeling. โ˜€๏ธ

Percentage of Roman Catholics in Malta

90%

Religious Composition in Malta

Languages

๐ŸŒ In Malta, the languages spoken tell us a lot about its culture and history! The official language of Malta is Maltese, with a remarkable 90.1% of the population speaking it. ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ English also plays an important role, being spoken by 6% of the people. ๐Ÿค Additionally, 3% of the population is multilingual, meaning they can speak more than one language fluently! ๐ŸŽ‰ There are also a few others, comprising 0.9% of the population, who speak different languages. This rich linguistic diversity really makes Malta a unique place! ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น

Percentage of Maltese speakers

90.1%

Percentage of English speakers

6%

Percentage of Multilingual speakers

3%

Percentage of Other language speakers

0.9%

Languages Spoken in Malta

Imports - partners

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น Malta's Import Partners
Malta has a vibrant trade scene! Let's take a look at who provides the goods for this beautiful island. In 2022, the country's imports came from various partners, showcasing a good mix of countries. Hereโ€™s how the percentages break down:

  • Italy: 14%
  • China: 11%
  • South Korea: 11%
  • Germany: 10%
  • Canada: 5%

This colorful mix of trade partners illustrates Malta's strong connections across the globe! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ผ

Total Import Percentage

100%

Malta's Import Partners (2022)

Population

Malta's population is around 469,730 people! ๐ŸŒ This beautiful island is home to many vibrant communities and rich culture. Isn't it amazing to think about all the stories each person has to share?

Total Population of Malta

469,730

Area

๐ŸŒ Let's explore the area of Malta! This beautiful island nation has a total area of 316 square kilometers. What's cool is that all of this area is land, as there are no bodies of water covering it. That's right, Malta's area is made up entirely of land! So, if you're ever planning a trip, you'll have plenty of ground to explore! ๐ŸŒ…

Total Area

316 sq km

Land Area

316 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Let's talk about Malta's Real GDP! This is like looking at the money that Malta could actually use to buy things if it were a super shopper. Hereโ€™s how it has changed over the last few years:

  • In 2021, Malta had a Real GDP of $27.738 billion.
  • By 2022, it grew to $29.978 billion. ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • And in 2023, it is estimated to be even higher at $31.661 billion! ๐Ÿš€

This shows that Malta's economy is on the rise, which is fantastic news for everyone! ๐ŸŽ‰

Real GDP in 2021

$27.738 billion

Real GDP in 2022

$29.978 billion

Estimated Real GDP in 2023

$31.661 billion

Malta's Real GDP Growth (PPP)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒ Let's talk about Malta's Real GDP per capita! This number tells us how much money, on average, each person would have if we divided the country's economic output by its population. It's a great way to understand how well-off people are in different countries!

Hereโ€™s a look at how Malta's GDP per capita has evolved over the past few years:

  • 2021: $53,500 ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • 2022: $56,400 ๐Ÿ’ต
  • 2023: $57,200 ๐Ÿ’ธ

From 2021 to 2023, Malta's economy has been doing really well, with a steady increase each year! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Increase in GDP from 2021 to 2023

$18,700

GDP growth from 2022 to 2023

$800

Malta's Real GDP per Capita Over Time

Imports

Malta has some fascinating import statistics! ๐Ÿ“Š Over the last three years, the total amount of imports has increased significantly:

  • 2020: $20.164 billion ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • 2021: $22.958 billion ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • 2022: $23.883 billion ๐ŸŽ‰

This shows that Malta is becoming more engaged in global trade, bringing in more goods from around the world! ๐ŸŒ

Total Imports in 2022

$23.883 billion

Total Imports in 2021

$22.958 billion

Total Imports in 2020

$20.164 billion

Malta's Imports Over the Years

Exports

๐ŸŒ Let's dive into Malta's export numbers! ๐Ÿ“ฆ Malta's exports have been steadily growing over the years:

  • In 2020, exports were $22.735 billion.
  • By 2021, Malta's exports increased to $25.533 billion.
  • And by 2022, they reached $25.417 billion.

That's a fantastic upward trend overall! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Total Exports in 2022

$25.417 billion

Total Exports in 2021

$25.533 billion

Total Exports in 2020

$22.735 billion

Malta's Exports Over Time

Population growth rate

Did you know that Malta's population is expected to grow by 0.51% in 2024? ๐ŸŒฑ This is a little boost in numbers, showing that more people are calling this beautiful Mediterranean island home. Whether it's the sunny beaches, rich history, or delicious food, Malta has something special that attracts newcomers each year! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น

Population growth rate for 2024

0.51%