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  Qormi
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|- | align=center colspan=Ii | Location of Malta |- |Official languages |Maltese and English |- |Capital |Valletta |- |Big City |Birkirkara |- |President | Edward (Eddie) Fenech Adami |- |Prime Minister |Lawrence Gonzi |- |Religion |96.7% Catholicism |- |Area
 - Total
 - % water |Ranked 184th
316 km²
Negligible |- |Population
 - Total (2005)
 - Density |Ranked 175th
398,534
1262/km² |- |Independence
 - Date |From a UK
September 21 1964 |- |Currency |Maltese Lira |- |Time zone
 - in summer |CET (UTC+1)
CEST (UTC+2) |- |National anthem |L-Innu Malti |- |Internet TLD |.mt |- |Calling Code |+356 |- |Patron Saints |Saint Paul
St. Agatha
Pope Pius V |- |National bird |Blue Rock Thrush |- |National plant |Maltese Rock Centaury |- |National tree |Tetraclinis Articulata (L-Għargħar) |- |National poet |Dun Karm Psaila |}

A Republic of Malta occurs as microscopic & densely-populated island nation in southern Europe. It consists of an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Africa. These strategically-placed islands use been ruled & fought terminated by various powers above a centuries.

Contrary to popular belief, a south of Malta is non Europe's most southern point: Malta is Europe's 4th southernmost country; Spain (Punta de Tarifa), Cyprus and Greece (island of Gavdos), rank 3rd, 2nd, and 1st respectively.

History
Malta has been inhabited since in 5200 BC. a important prehistoric civilization, that predates the Pyramids of Giza by a millennium, is believed to keep around existed on the islands. A numerous ancient monuments & remains in Malta attest to the greatness of this civilization. Phoenicians colonized the islands at around Chiliad BC utilizing it as an outpost from either which it expanded sea explorations & trade the Mediterranean. Around 736 BC, it were occupied per Greeks who called a colony "Melita".

These islands late come under a control of Carthage (400 BC) and then of Rome. the islands prospered under Roman rule, when you took which instance it was considered a Municipium and a Feodorata Civitas. Numerous Roman remains however survive, testifying to a close hyperlink between a Maltese habitant & the population of Rome. Around AD 60, a islands were visited by Saint Paul, who is said to use been shipwrecked on the shores of the with competence known as ''Saint Paul's Bay.

Fallowing the short spell of Byzantine rule, and the likely sack per Vandals, the islands were conquered per Arabs in AD 870. Their influence may be seen virtually all conspicuously in the modern Maltese language, which appears to have stemmed from either an Arabic dialect, though it has also been heavy influenced by Romance tongues. A Maltese written language utilizes a standard Latin alphabet. A period of Arab rule lasted until 1090, when a islands were taken per Sicilian Normans, restoring Christianity again. Subsequent rulers involved a Anjouvines, Hohenstaufen, & a Aragonese. A Maltese nobility was established during this time period; a select few of it dating back to 1090. All about 32 noble titles remaaround in apply in todays world, of which a oldest is Barons of Djar illinois Bniet & Buqana''.

Inside 1530, the islands were from Spain to the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in perpetual lease (Aragon having owned the island when a share of their Mediterranean empire for a few instance). These Knights, a militant order at present referred to as the "Knights of Malta", experienced been caused away from Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire in 1522. It withstood the fully-blown siege by the Ottoman Turks in 1565, who, at that period, were considered to exist as a greatest non-European military power. Fallowing this it decided to increase a fortifications, particularly in a inner-harbour area, in which the freshly city of Valletta, named fallowing Jean Parisot de la Valette, was built.

Their reign ended while Napoleon conquered the islands within 1798. A occupying French forces were unpopular, yet, due particularly to their veto attitude towards religion. A Maltese rebelled against a two, & a French were forced behind the fortifications. Groovy Britain, along by using a Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, sent munitions and help. Britain besides sent her navy, which instigated the blockade of the islands. A isolated French forces, under General Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois, surrendered around 1800, and the island became a British associated state, existence presented by many Maltese leaders to Sir Alexander Ball.

Within 1814, as a share of the Treaty of Paris, Malta officially became a section of the British Empire & was used as a transport waystation and swift headquarters. Malta's proximity to the Suez Canal proved to exist as its independent plus when you took these years, & it was considered to be the first prevent en route to India. In the 1930s, due to Malta's ethnic & geographical proximity to Italy, a British Mediterranean Fleet was moved to Alexandria. Malta played an significant role when you took World War II, owing to its vicinity to Axis shipping lanes, and its humans's bravery led to the award of the George Cross now seen on its flag.

Fallowing the war, & fallowing a short spell of political instability due to the Malta Labour Person's abortive attempt at 'Integration with Britain', Malta was granted independence on September 21, 1964 (Independence Day). Under its 1964 constitution, Malta initially retained Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign of Maltthe, using a Governor-General exercising executive authority in her behalf, however on December 13, 1974 it became a republic inside a Commonwealth, with a President as head of state. The defence agreement signed presently when Independence (& re-negotiated inside 1972) expired on March 31, 1979 (Freedom Day) when the British military unit were withdrawn. Malta joined a European Union on May 1, 2004.

Politics
Independent article: Politics of Malta

A unicameral House of Representatives, known in Maltese when Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti is elected by straight universal right to vote across single transferable vote every five years unless a Home is dissolved sooner per President in advice of the Prime Minister. A Home of Representatives is mass produced higher of 65 MPs. Notwithstanding, in which the person manages an absolute majority of votes, but not of seats, that person incline extrthe seats to assure a parliamentary majority. A Parliamentary rules (likewise when public administration) is closely modelled on the rules of the British Home of Commons.

A President of the Republic is elected each 5 years per Home of Representatives.

A independent political parties come a Nationalist Party which is Christian Democrat and the Malta Labour Party which is Social Democrat. There exists besides the Green Party (Alternattiva Demokratika) and a far perfect person (Imperium Europa) which, however, use at times there is no parliamentary seats. 2 more little parties include a Alpha Person, led by Dr. Emmy Bezzina & a Communist Person (which did non participate in the latest elections) led by Tony Vassallo. A Nationalist Person is presently at a helm of a government, the Prime Minister being Dr. Lawrence Gonzi. A Malta Labour Person, under Dr. Alfred Sant, is in opposition.

Local councils
Independent article: Local councils of Malta

Within Maltese come known as: Kunsilli Lokali

Since 1993, Malta has been subdivided into 68 local councils or neck of the woods. These form a virtually all basic form of local government. No average levels between local government & national government. A as a consequence lists a councils for the ii independent islands:

Island of MaltaIsland of Gozo
Attard Balzan Birkirkara Birżebbuġa Cospicua (Bormla) Dingli Fgura Floriana Gudja Gżira Għargħur Għaxaq Ħamrun Iklin Kalkara Kirkop Lija Luqa Marsa Marsaskala Marsaxlokk Mdina (Rabat) Mellieħa Mġarr Mosta Mqabba Msida Mtarfa Naxxar Paola (Raħal Ġdid) Pembroke Pietà Qormi Qrendi Rabat, Malta (Rabat, Malta) Safi St. Julian’s (San Ġiljan) Santa Lucija (Santa Luċija) St. Paul’s Bay (San Pawl il-Baħar) San Ġwann Santa Venera Senglea (Isla) Siġġiewi Sliema Swieqi Ta' Xbiex Tarxien Valletta Vittoriosa (Birgu) Xgħajra Żabbar Żebbuġ Żejtun Żurrieq Fontana Għajnsielem Għarb Għasri Kerċem Munxar Nadur Qala Victoria (Rabat, Gozo) Saint Lawrence (San Lawrenz) Sannat Xagħra Xewkija Żebbuġ

Geography
Independent article: Geography of Malta

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea, some 93 klick south of Sicily. Single a trinity big islands Malta Island (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna) are inhabited. Many bays along a indented coastline of the islands provide adept harbours. A landscape is characterized by moo hills using terraced fields. A greatest point, which possibly numerous locals keep close at hand there are no idea training contract with, is the Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253 m near Dingli.

A local climate is Mediterranean temperate climate with mild, showery winters & hot, dry summers. Profits there are just 2 seasons, which makes a islands attractive for tourer especially when you took a drier months.

Economic history

Until 1800, Malta got super couple of industries except a cloth, tobacco, & shipyards industry. A dockyard was late utilized per British for military purposes. At days of war, Malta's economy prospered due to its strategical location.

In a period of the Napoleonic Wars (1800–1815), Malta's economy prospered and became the focal point of a major swing trading body. Inside 1808, both-thirds of the consignment consigned from either Malta attend Levant and Egypt. Late, a single-half of the load was commonly destined for Trieste. Payload consisted of largely British & colonial-made goods. Malta's economy became prosperous from either this trade & numerous artificer, like weavers, witnessed newly jobs in the larboard industry.

Within 1820, when you took a Battle of Navarino, which took place within Greece, a British fleet was depending in Malta. Around 1839, a Pacific and Orient and East India Companies used Malta as a calling port in their Egypt & Levant diarrhea.

Within 1869, a opening of the Suez Canal benefited Malta's economy greatly as there was the massive increase in the transport which entered in the port. the economy experienced entered a favorite phase. A Mediterranean became the "world highway of trade" & a total of ships out in Malta for coal & various the diapers in their way to the Indian Ocean & the Far East.

From either 1871 to 1881, just about 8,000 workers discovered jobs inside the Maltthe docks & a total of banks opened in Malta. By 1882, Malta reached a height of its prosperity.

Still, a boom did non previous yearn. Per prevent of the 19th century, the economy began declining & per Forties, Malta's economy was inside good crisis. This was primarily due to the invention of big ships which experienced turn into oil-fired & so experienced there is no want to prevent in the Grand Harbour of Malta to refuel. A British Government experienced to extend a dockyard.

At a prevent of World War II, Malta's strategic importance got reached the moo point. Modern air warfare technology & a invention of a atomic bomb got changed the importance of the military base. A British misplaced control of a Suez Canal & withdrew from either the naval dockyard, transforming it for commercial shipbuilding & ship repair purposes.

Economy (today)
Independent article: Economy of Malta

Malta’s major resources come limestone, the favourable geographic location, & a productive labour force. Malta produces sole all about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater the diapers, & has there is no household energy sources. A economy is contingent on foreign trade (serving as a freight trans-shipment point), manufacturing (especially electronics & fabric), & tourism.

Malta has recently privatised some state-controlled house & liberalised markets sequentially to develop for membership in the European Union, which it joined on May 1 2004. Malta & Tunisia are currently discussing a commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for petroleum exploration.

Tourism

Maltthe has numerous museums, shops, beaches, & leisure activities inside a densely-packed locality. These are the easily-known popular vacation destination among Europeans. Although Maltthe is currently the member of the European Union, these are non a member of the Schengen Treaty yet. These are presently adopting Schengen regulations sustaining a goal to become finished by 2007.

Demographics
Independent article: Demographics of Malta

Based on data from a previous demographic survey (2003) a figured people of a Malta at the prevent of that season (including non-Maltese residents) was 399,867 of whom 198,099 were males & 201,768 were females. This makes Malta a European united states sustaining a greatest people density by owning 1,265 souls by the square kilometer.

In the equivalent month there was the nett natural increase of 872 souls & the nett influx of 1,699 souls in the amount people. birthrate has stabilised however sustaining the unrefined birth rate of X.06 Malta remains one of a "youngest" European populations (a 0-14 age bracket is Xviii.2% of the sum people).

Education

Education is required between a ages of Five & 16 years. When the state will bring education gratis, a church & a personal sector redo a total of schools around Malta & Gozo.

Education inside Malta is when follows:

Kindergarten - as much as Cinque years (non required) Primary education is between 6-11 Secondary education as much as Xvi years Post-Secondary Education (sixth form, vocational college) as much as Eighteen years Tertiary education is provided per University of Malta and also by MCAST.

Culture
Independent article: Culture of Malta

List of Maltese People Music of Malta Maltese cuisine

Miscellaneous topics
Coat of Arms of Malta Communications in Malta Flag of Malta Foreign relations of Malta List of cities in Malta Military of Malta The Scout Association of Malta Transportation in Malta Pan Am Flight 103






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