The following are some helpful facts about Malta:

Capital: Valletta

Currency: Euro

Official Languages: Maltese & English

Telephone Prefix: +356

Size: 316 Km2

Timezone: Standard Time: GMT +1 Summer Time: GMT+2

Population: In July, 2007, the total population of the islands was around 402,000.  

Geographic position: Malta is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean. It lies 100 kilometers south of the Italian Island of Sicily.
 
Malta is a full member of the European Union.
 
Maltese Drive on the left hand side of the road.

Religion: 98% Roman Catholic

Public Holidays: 14

The strategic position in the Mediterranean has made Malta an important cultural and commercial centre. This is now further emphasized by the creation of SmartCityMalta, a state-of-the-art SmartCity project, approved by The Government of Malta in February 2007. The project involves the investment of about US$300 million by Dubai Internet City’s Tecom. SmartCityMalta is a high tech business park that will include commercial property, residential areas, hotels, restaurants, a marina and shops, it is set to become a key attraction for international ICT investors.

Malta enjoys excellent telecommunications services, IT infrastructure and international flight connections.

The Government of Malta offers several financial and other investment incentives.

The highest law-making institution is the House of Representatives. National elections are held every five years. The Government functions through a cabinet of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

The judiciary is independent and courts are divided into Superior Courts presided by Judges and Inferior Courts presided by Magistrates.

In 1987 Malta adopted the European Convention of Human Rights as part of Malta`s domestic law.

The Constitution guarantees the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

Commercial activities are regulated by the Commercial Code and related legislation, such as the Banking Act, the Central Bank of Malta Act, the Investment Services Act etc.

In 2002, Malta signed the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes. It is also a member of the New York Convention of 1958 on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitration awards.

Included in its extensive and fascinating history Malta is home to seven Megalithic Temples. These are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the oldest structure dating from the 6th Millenium BC, making it 1,000 years older than the Pyramids of Egypt.

Malta has also become a centre for Conferences and Learning of English as a Foreign Language.

Weather:
The temperature is very stable, the annual mean being 18ºC (64ºF) and the monthly averages ranging from 12º C (54ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).