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Malta
Relevant information about Malta.Malta is an island-country, member of the European Union. It is very densely populated and it consists of an archipelago located in the central Mediterranean Sea, at the south of Italy. Due to its strategic location, it has been disputed by various nations for centuries. Nevertheless, since 1964, it is an independent country.
History lives in Malta. Lots of civilizations lived and passed through their territory. First in settle in the country were Sicilians, in Stone Age, 5,200 B.C. Older structures date 3,500 B.C. At 1,000 B.C. Phoenicians merchants occupied the islands, Greeks came in 700 B.C., Cartago in 400 B.C., and Rome in 200 B.C. Arabs came in the eight century and were displaced by Normans from Sicily, two centuries later. A few years afterward domination of the island passed to the Crown of Aragorn. Malta, Spain, Venice, Genoa and the Holy See protected the territory from Ottoman invasion. In order to protect the island fortifications were built in the city. Napoleon occupied it in 1798 and English´s in 1800 (when they came to liberate them form French oppression). September 21, 1964 Malta declared its independence. Nevertheless, it was not until 1979 that English military bases left definitely the country. And it was then, that for the first time in history Malta found herself with no foreign dominance.
In December 2,003, Malta had an officially registered population of 397,000 inhabitants. Over 100,000 live in the national capital, La Valetta. Fertility rate reaches 0.19% and the life expectancy at birth is of 78 years. The annual population growth reaches a 0.7% and there is a 90% of urban population (that is reflected in a high population density). Malta has the highest population density, about 1282 inhabitants / km ², between the European Union countries. The Maltese are predominantly Catholic and the influence of the church is strong, therefore divorce and abortion are naturally prohibited by law. Its official languages are Maltese and English, but two thirds of the population is able to speak and understand Italian, who was the official language of state until 1934. British influence was adverse to Italian language, so the use of this language enormously decreased in the last years of colony. But Italian TV is received in Malta, so a brought of resurgence has come along too. Malta's culture reflects the varied influences of the countries that ruled until 1964, particularly Italy and the UK. In the days of the saints, or festas, the ceremonies begins with religious prayers and are usually followed by three days of processions with musical bands, fireworks and parades. Football it’s the most popular sport. Italian and British leagues are the most followed. Since 1990´s organized sports reborn due to the creation of several athletic facilities. In UNESCO´s list of World Heritage Sites, Malta has three places reserved: Hal Hypogeum Saflieni, Megalithic Temples of Malta and Valletta.
Until eighteen century, Malta had very few developed industries: cotton, snuff and shipyards. This one´s were later used by British for military purposes. In times of war, Malta´s economy prospers due to its strategic position. During Napoleonic wars, Malta´s economy prospered and became the focus of a large market system. Large amounts of manufactured goods were commercialized and lots of artisans and weavers found new jobs with this port boom. In 1869, the opening of Suez Canal greatly benefited Malta´s economy producing an enormously increase in the amount of shipping entering the port. The Mediterranean Sea was the world’s trade route and ships needed Malta to look for coal and other supplies. In 1940´s, Malta was economy was depressed, mainly because of the invention of large oil-powered ships that did not need to stop in Malta to refuel. At the end of World War II, the strategic importance of Malta was very listless. The technology to air armament and the invention of the atomic bomb had changed the importance of military bases. The British lost control of the Suez Canal and withdrew from the naval astilleron, transforming them to trade in shipbuilding and ship repair. Malta major resource is limestone. They produce just the 20% of the food they consume, have very limited fresh water supplies and has no sources of energy. The economy depends on foreign trade (serving as a transshipment port for ships), manufactures ( especially electronics and textiles) and tourism greatly. Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between the two countries, particularly for oil exploration. In order to enter the European Union, numerous companies under state control had to be privatized and markets had to be liberalized. It was incorporated to the community in 2008 and now the euro is they’re local currency.
Discos, restaurants, and nightclubs in the town of San Julian are open until the wee hours of the morning. Grand Harbour and the port Marsamxett, Comino Blue Lagoon
Malta has a strong medical heritage and possesses a high quality health system model in the British system. There are a number of private hospitals in Malta which are developing medical tourism, especially for residents in the United Kingdom. Throughout history, Malta has often been named as "the hospital of the Mediterranean" because of the important role it has played for several centuries as a place of choice for medical treatment and care of the sick. Today, Malta is increasing its reputation and is an excellent destination where anyone can receive medical and surgical treatment. Nevertheless, and so far, hospitals in Malta did not participate in international accreditation of health.
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