Malta: Map & History
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea. It consists of a number of islands, of which Malta and Gozo are the two main ones—south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. Valletta is the country's capital. Malta is the world's tenth-smallest country by area, ninth-most densely populated, and 166th most populated. It consists of a single urban region, because of which it is often described as a city-state. The two official languages are Maltese—recognised as the national language—and English.
Modern Countries Once Part of Malta
At its mapped extent, Malta covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Malta's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Malta in Depth
History
Malta was first inhabited between 8000 and 6500 BC with the arrival of Mesolithic era hunter-gatherers, likely from Sicily. Neolithic farmers, also originating from Sicily, are thought to have arrived on the islands by around 5400 BC. Prehistoric settlements dating to the Early Neolithic era include the Għar Dalam cave site in the uppermost layers, associated with domesticated animals. The Neolithic population of Malta grew cereals, raised livestock and, like many other European civilisations, worshipped a mother goddess.
Later, the Maltese started to build megalithic temples. Around 3500 BC, these people built some of the world's oldest existing free-standing structures in the form of the Ġgantija temples on Gozo. Other early temples include those at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra.
Government and politics
Malta is a republic, the parliamentary system and public administration of which are modelled on the Westminster system. The Parliament is made up of the president and the House of Representatives (Maltese: Kamra tad-Deputati). The president is appointed for a five-year term by a simple majority of the House of Representatives. The current president, Myriam Spiteri Debono, was elected on 27 March 2024 by members of Parliament.
The House of Representatives has 65 members, elected for a five-year term in 13 five-seat electoral divisions called distretti elettorali (Maltese: electoral districts), with constitutional amendments that establish proportionality among seats and votes of political parliamentary groups.
Economy
Malta is classified as an advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It has a large amount of limestone contributing to its economy. Maltese agriculture produces only around 20 percent of its food needs, with limited fresh water supplies in the summer and no domestic energy sources (although there is solar power potential). The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. The agriculture is mainly small-scale farms by families who have other jobs.
Film production has also contributed to the Maltese economy. The country's variety of landscapes and destinations has become a significant draw for filmmakers.
Culture
Maltese folk tales include various stories about mysterious creatures and supernatural events. The most comprehensive compilation was done by Manwel Magri, a scholar and pioneer in Maltese archaeology in his core criticism Ħrejjef Missirijietna (Fables from our Forefathers). This collection of material inspired other researchers and academics to gather traditional legends from all over the archipelago.
Local festivals, similar to those in Southern Italy, are commonplace in Malta and Gozo, celebrating weddings, christenings and, most prominently, saints' days.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Malta (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Malta: Key Facts
| Capital | Valletta |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Maltese, English |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Form of government | parliamentary democracy |
| Founded | 21 September 1964 |
Preceded by
- State of Malta
- Crown Colony of Malta
Facts from Wikidata Q233 (CC0).
Malta: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Malta exist?
Malta is dated to 1967 CE – 2024 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Malta?
The capital of Malta was Valletta.
How large was Malta at its peak?
At its peak in 2024 Malta covered about 475 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Raigad