Discover Fascinating Malta Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Malta.
Malta
Background
๐ฒ๐น 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! ๐๏ธ
After being a British colony from 1814, Malta gained its independence in 1964 and became a republic a decade later in 1974. โจ
Since the mid-1980s, Malta has transformed itself into a bustling freight transshipment point, a shining financial center, and an exciting tourist destination. ๐โ๏ธ
It's fascinating how Malta has evolved over time, holding onto its ancient history while stepping into the modern age! ๐
Period of British Colony
1814-1964
Year of Independence
1964
Year of Republic Declaration
1974
Transformation Start Year
1980s
Exports - commodities
๐ Malta is known for its diverse range of exports! Hereโs what the tiny yet bustling island nation is sending out into the world ๐:
- Integrated Circuits: These tiny chips are super important for all kinds of electronic devices, making them a key export for Malta! โก
- Packaged Medicine: Malta plays a clever role in the healthcare industry by exporting packaged medicine that helps people around the globe stay healthy! ๐
- Refined Petroleum: Another important commodity, refined petroleum fuels cars, planes, and lots of machinery! ๐โ๏ธ
- Fish: With its beautiful coastline, Malta also exports delicious fish ๐, perfect for seafood lovers!
- Postage Stamps/Documents: Unique in their way, Malta even exports beautiful postage stamps and important documents, contributing to its rich history! ๐โ๏ธ
Isn't it cool how Malta, though small, contributes such a variety of goods to the global market? ๐
Exports - partners
๐ Malta has exciting trading partners! ๐ณ๏ธ In 2022, the distribution of exports to different countries is as follows:
- ๐ฉ๐ช Germany: 12%
- ๐ฎ๐น Italy: 6%
- ๐ซ๐ท France: 6%
- ๐ฏ๐ต Japan: 5%
- ๐ธ๐ฌ 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! ๐ฉ๐ช Let's take a closer look at these nations' share of Malta's exports! ๐
Total Percentage of Key Export Partners
34%
Malta's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
๐๏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. ๐ 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! ๐ข Hereโs a look at what they brought in:
- Ships: Malta invested in
- Refined Petroleum: Malta's need for energy keeps this commodity essential. โฝ
- Aircraft: Flying high with international connections! โ๏ธ
- Integrated Circuits: Powering up technology! ๐ป
- Packaged Medicine: Ensuring health and wellness for everyone! ๐
These imports play a vital role in boosting Malta's economy and keeping its industries running smoothly.
Climate
๐ 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! ๐๏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! ๐ First, we have the chief of state, President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO who has been in office since April 4, 2024. ๐๏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. ๐๏ธ His job is to manage the government and make important decisions for the country. Together, they guide Malta towards a bright future! ๐
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! ๐ This structure allows for a focused approach to governance, where elected representatives can work together to shape the future of Malta. ๐๏ธ
Total seats in the House of Representatives
65
Natural resources
๐ 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. ๐ฑ
These resources are vital for Malta's economy and help shape its beautiful landscapes!
Natural resources in Malta
Limestone, Salt, Arable land
Economic overview
๐ Malta's economy is an exciting mixed bag! It's a high-income nation and a proud member of the European Union. ๐ช๐บ The economy is nicely diversified, which means it doesn't rely on just one thing to stay strong. ๐ช Malta uses the euro ๐ถ and imports a lot of its food and energy.
Tourism is a big deal here! ๐๏ธ With a robust trade and manufacturing sector, this little island knows how to make things happen. ๐ Additionally, there's a lot of North African immigration, which adds to the multicultural vibe. ๐ Malta also has a large welfare system, supporting its people. Finally, an educated workforce helps keep the economy vibrant and ready for challenges! ๐๐ผ
Economic Diversity
Diversified portfolio
Currency
Euro user
Tourism Sector
Strong
Immigration
High North African immigration
Welfare System
Large
Workforce Education
Educated workforce
Government type
๐ 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. ๐ณ๏ธ This means that the citizens play a big role in choosing their leaders! It's all about teamwork and representation! ๐ซ
Ethnic groups
In the beautiful country of Malta, the people are known as Maltese! ๐๏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! ๐โจ
Religions
In Malta, the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, which holds an official status and is embraced by over 90% of the population! ๐ฒ๐นโช 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
๐ 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. ๐ฃ๏ธ English also plays an important role, being spoken by 6% of the people. ๐ค Additionally, 3% of the population is multilingual, meaning they can speak more than one language fluently! ๐ 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! ๐ฒ๐น
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
๐ฒ๐น 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. Hereโs 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! ๐๐ผ
Total Import Percentage
100%
Malta's Import Partners (2022)
Population
Malta's population is around 469,730 people! ๐ 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
๐ 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! ๐
Total Area
316 sq km
Land Area
316 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ 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. Hereโs 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. ๐
- And in 2023, it is estimated to be even higher at $31.661 billion! ๐
This shows that Malta's economy is on the rise, which is fantastic news for everyone! ๐
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
๐ 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!
Hereโs a look at how Malta's GDP per capita has evolved over the past few years:
- 2021: $53,500 ๐ฐ
- 2022: $56,400 ๐ต
- 2023: $57,200 ๐ธ
From 2021 to 2023, Malta's economy has been doing really well, with a steady increase each year! ๐
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! ๐ Over the last three years, the total amount of imports has increased significantly:
- 2020: $20.164 billion ๐ฐ
- 2021: $22.958 billion ๐
- 2022: $23.883 billion ๐
This shows that Malta is becoming more engaged in global trade, bringing in more goods from around the world! ๐
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
๐ Let's dive into Malta's export numbers! ๐ฆ 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! ๐
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? ๐ฑ 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! ๐๐ฒ๐น
Population growth rate for 2024
0.51%