LOCATION
The Republic of Malta consists of Malta, Gozo,
Comino and two small uninhabited islands, and is situated in
the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is 93km away from
Sicily and 290km from North Africa.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Malta has an area of 246 sq.km and is made up of a low plateau
which descends gradually to the plain in the south-eastern part
of the Island. Gozo, Malta’s sister island (67 sq.km), lies
just 6.4km to the north-west. The longest distance across Malta
is 27km, and the widest is 14km. The corresponding figures for
Gozo are 14km and 7km respectively. Malta has no mountains –
a series of terraced fields on hilly slopes characterizes the
Islands. Malta’s coastline is well indented with natural harbours,
sandy beaches and flat rock coves.
THE PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE
Throughout Malta’s long and chequered history, Malta’s people
came into contact with the many nations that dominated the Mediterranean.
These relationships with people of so many different cultures
made the Maltese amongst the most cosmopolitan people in the
world. The people of Malta have developed and maintained characteristics
which distinguish them as a peace-loving nation with a strong
sense of hospitality. Another characteristic is their joviality
which springs mainly from the agreeable, warm climate with sunshine
throughout the year. For the same reason, the Maltese enjoy
very high standards of health. Today the Maltese population
stands at 404,000. The national language is the Maltese language,
however, both Maltese and English are official languages, and
English is also spoken and understood by most. Malta became
a full member of the European Union on 1st May 2004 and joined
the Schengen zone in 2007.
TOURISM
Malta’s natural scenic wealth, its colourful culture and heritage,
high standards of health, a most agreeable climate, political
stability and the friendliness of its people have turned it
into an all year round holiday destination. The tourist sector
is one of the most important sectors of the Maltese economy
with approximately 1,200,000 tourists visiting the islands every
year. The British market represents 41% of this figure. This
is followed by tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, France,
Italy and other countries, mostly European. For more information
see
www.visitmalta.com
CLIMATE
The climate is warm and healthy with mild, moist winters and
dry, hot summers. Frost and snow are unknown. Rain falls only
for very short periods, averaging 580mm in a whole year. Temperatures
for November – April average 14°C , and 23°C for the May – October
period. Average daily sunshine hours for winter are 6.5 hours,
and for summer 10.5 hours. The hottest period is from mid-July
to mid-September. Malta’s perennial sunshine and unpolluted
sea make it a holiday destination to which tourists like to
return year after year.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services in Malta are very good and facilities are easily
accessible, with a major general hospital (and a smaller one
in Gozo) equipped with modern facilities. Specialists for the
various disciplines in the hospital have obtained their higher
post-graduate qualifications mainly from UK. There are also
a number of peripheral health centres, which are open day and
night. Private medical care is also available, and apart from
general practitioner services, there are three private hospitals
and a number of small private clinics where minor surgery can
be carried out.
EU citizens, resident in Malta, are
entitled to Free Public Health care services in accordance with
entitlements, as determined from time to time by the Ministry
of Health. Their entitlement has to be confirmed with and certified
by the Entitlement Unit with the Ministry of Health. Applicant
must be in possession of the appropriate E form signifying their
entitlement to health care under the Social Security registration
in their country of origin. This official certification, together
with a personal identification document, will be sufficient
to receive health care in public health care services.
Temporary visitors (under 1 year stay) from EU member states
and EEA states have direct access to the health care from publicly
funded health care services upon presentation of The European
Health Insurance Card together with an identification document.
The Government of Malta is not responsible in any way
for any treatment or care given to EU citizens in private hospital
or health centres or by practitioners of any sort in their private
capacity. There are, however, a number of private medical insurance
companies operating in Malta, which cater for such cases. Visit
Malta’s
Ministry of Health website.
COST OF LIVING
As compared to other countries, Malta is considered to be a
country having one of the lowest costs of living in Europe.
Foodstuffs, clothing and furniture are very reasonably priced.
Services like water, electricity, telephone and gas are also
very reasonable. No rates or council taxes are charged in Malta.
MAINTENANCE CHARGES
It is worth noting that the cost of labour in Malta is considerably
lower than in the UK and many European countries, and this has
a beneficial effect on foreign residents in such matters as
maintenance of property, vehicles, domestic appliances, etc.,
Tradesmen such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers are
competent and not expensive. Laundry and hairdressing bills
are also reasonable. Maltese domestic staff are known for reliability
and diligence.
PROXIMITY TO OTHER COUNTRIES (FLYING TIMES)
Malta – London 3.05hrs, Malta – Amsterdam 3.05hrs, Malta – Frankfurt
2.35hrs, Malta – Paris 2.35hrs, Malta – Rome 1.15hrs, Malta
– Cairo 2.25hrs.
Sicily (Catania) is 3 to 6 hours sailing
time from Malta depending on the type of craft used.
The national airline, Airmalta, operates regular flights
to and from all major airports in Europe, North Africa, the
Middle East and the Gulf States. Other international carriers
including low cost carriers operate regular scheduled flights
to and from Malta. There is a regular ferry service, which carries
passengers and cars between Malta & Gozo, as well as a helicopter
service from Malta International Airport. The ferry crossing
takes about 30 minutes.
LOCAL TIME
Malta is on Western Europe time which puts the Islands one hour
ahead of GMT. Between the last Sunday in March and the last
Sunday in October the clock goes forward to local Summer Time
by an additional hour (bringing us 2 hours ahead of GMT).
DRIVING AND LICENSES
All current licences and international driving licences are
recognized. Driving is on the left. Speed limit is 40mph (65kph).
SCHOOLS
Malta has a free state school system with optional private education.
Both day and boarding facilities exist and school fees are very
reasonable. Lessons in private schools are taught in English,
and the curriculum is very closely aligned to the British system
with students sitting for Ordinary and Advanced level examinations
to qualify for entrance into the Malta University and Universities
overseas. Standards of education are high with English being
the language of instruction for most subjects at all levels
of the education system.
English is an official language
and many Maltese are also fluent in Italian. Furthermore many
take up French and German.
Malta can boast of having
the oldest University in the Commonwealth outside Britain providing
education for more than 10,000 students in all the major disciplines.
The vocational and technical education systems offer courses
in applied electronics, design, IT and others.
CHURCHES
Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution. Whilst
the great majority of Maltese profess the Catholic Faith, other
religious denominations have their place of worship in Malta.
Although a Catholic country with Masses said in English as well
as Maltese, there are also services available for most other
denominations. The Anglican Cathedral of St Paul’s in Valletta
and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Sliema have communion,
matins and evensong on Sundays. The Union of the Church of Scotland
and Methodist congregations meet at St Andrews (Scots) Church,
South Street, Valletta and the Jewish Synagogue is at 9, Spur
Street, Valletta.
SPORTS CLUBS
The principal sports club in Malta is the Marsa Sports Club,
which is spread over a large area, offering facilities for tennis,
an 18-hole golf-course, cricket, squash, swimming, general fitness
and lots more. The Union Club in Sliema, on the other hand,
is very much favoured by foreign residents for its pleasant
club house and inexpensive restaurant. It has a bar, bridge
room, barber and some excellent tennis and squash courts. In
summer open-air dances are held on Saturdays. The clubs have
an attractive beach concession at Tigne’, with a good restaurant,
changing rooms, sea-water pools for children, deck-chairs and
sun umbrellas.
RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
There is a
British Residents Association active in Malta and Gozo which
organises many social and cultural events all year round. Any
national is allowed membership.
DIVING
The Maltese Islands are a real paradise for divers and snorklers.
Even in a severe winter (which is extremely rare) the sea temperature
never drops below 13 Celcius. Sea temperatures in summer are
about 23 Celcius, and divers may wear a light 3mm diving suit
or even dive without one. The Islands offer a well-developed
infrastructure for divers, representing a high standard and
are capable of coping with the most sophisticated demands. There
are a number of very well-trained staff at the many diving schools.
It is not necessary to bring along your own equipment as it
is possible to lease equipment at a very favourable rate.
The seas around Malta are virtually tideless, and due
to the small size of our Islands, divers can shift to an alternative
dive site very easily. Boat dives take the diver to sites which
are not so easily accessible, and the variety of dive sites
including wrecks, caves and others are abundant.
Spear
fishing is absolutely forbidden as is removal and non-reporting
of archaeological finds.
Anyone who wants to dive within
the territory of the Maltese Islands needs a local diving permit,
referred to as the C-card. It is issued by the Department of
Health and costs 1 Maltese Lira. A medical certificate, 2 passport
photographs and the logbook of the applicant must be presented.
A diver wishing to dive independently of any dive school must
present a certificate equivalent to at least the CMAS/2-Star
diver certificate. All diving schools will ensure that the administrative
procedures are compiled without problems, and even the very
experienced would be well advised to apply through diving schools
rather than on their own.
Due to the excellent underwater
visibility and the variety of flora and fauna, there is no other
diving destination within easy reach which offers such good
conditions for underwater photography.
YACHTING
The Islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino provide an indented coastline
of 200km with clear and clean waters, making a cruise around
the islands a real delight. The sailing season stretches from
April to November and even in the remaining winter months, sunny
days are never far away. Yachts from all over the world can
make use of yachting facilities at the excellent marinas at
Msida, Ta’Xbiex, Mgarr (Gozo), and at the beautiful historic
creek of Cottonera at very reasonable rates. Amenities include:-
water, telephone, electricity, weather forecasts, DF Beacon,
ship-to-shore radio, chart depot, supply of bottled gas, etc.
Malta is recognized as a suitable base for wintering
one’s yacht. Maintenance during the mild winter months is not
a problem. Excellent repair facilities exist and charges for
hauling out and storing on hard are very reasonable. Several
yachting agencies, which operate from the proximity of the yachting
centers, undertake to look after yachts afloat over the winter
and also carry out necessary maintenance work. A yacht yard
comprising of 9 modern slipways is in full operation and has
facilities for slipping, repairing, converting and servicing
of yachts of all sizes up to 500 tons.
DISTANCE TO MEDITERRANEAN PORTS IN NAUTICAL MILES
Alexandria 822, Barcelona 666, Corfu 370, Genoa 580, Gibraltar
996, Marseilles 635, Monte Carlo 600, Piraeus 517, Syracuse
86, Tunis 222, Venice 734.
CABLE TV AND SATELLITE
Cable Television provides over 150 channels in different languages
and includes BBC, CNN, NBC, Spanish TVE, French TV5, most Italian
channels, a German channel and other movie and entertainment
channels. Satellite dishes are also becoming increasingly popular,
and can be bought and installed at a reasonable cost.
NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS, LEISURE AND QUALITY CULTURAL EVENTS
The Islands have a vibrant calendar of theatre and concerts,
classical and modern. Many are held outdoors or in historic
venues. There are annual cultural events, such as the three-month
summer Maltafest. Another regular is the International Jazz
Festival in July. Now over ten years old, it’s seen legends
and newcomers perform in a spectacular venue by floodlit Grand
Harbour.
Malta is fast becoming the place for clubbing.
Top international DJ’s appear for guest weekends throughout
the year. Paceville and St. Julians are the centre of the scene.
For excitement of a different kind, try your luck at the casino.
As a country providing locations for some Oscar winning
films, Malta is naturally a film-loving society. The Islands
have several state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas always with
the latest releases.
Dining al fresco is one of life’s
simple pleasures. Choose from romantic palazzo’s to bustling
harbour restaurants and discover the range of Maltese cuisine,
wine and beer. International cuisine is available everywhere.
For a lively night out, nothing beats a summer fiesta. Saints,
fireworks, food and fun are all part of this cultural phenomenon;
one not to be missed.
Feel free to
contact us
if you have any questions.