Malta

The Maltese archipelago consists of the island of Malta itself, Gozo, and Comino, together with other uninhabited islands. For making it to the top 10 of the smallest countries in the world, Malta has ample to offer. The islands have always shown strength and bravery to overcome obstacles and evolve stronger than ever.

 

Due to its central location in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta was always considered a valuable asset internationally and hence it always played an important and strategic role. Over the years The Maltese Islands were governed by various sovereignties which has left important marks on the Islands form megalithic temples, religion, language, education, and economy, to eventually become the Malta that it is today.

 

Throughout its long history which goes back to 5200 B.C., Malta has been gifted with unique characteristics that distinguish it from any other country due to the important marks left by different governances over the islands. The Knights of St John has adorned Malta with their Baroque artistic style which is imprinted in the palaces, cathedrals, churches and other historical buildings in most villages across the islands embellished with masterpieces from Caravaggio and Mattia Preti.

 

Due to the various legal cultures governed over Malta, Malta legal system is a mixture of the foreign rules adopted during the years. However, Britain, being the last ruler over Malta has inevitably left the most legal influence over the Maltese financial and corporate legislation. Even though Malta has obtained its independence in 1964, the UK legislation is still a major influence and is still reflected in the Maltese domestic laws. Malta forms part of the European Union as from 1st May 2004 and consequently joined the Eurozone as from 1st January 2008.

Language

Maltese is the national language of Malta and both Maltese and English serve as official languages of the islands. Due to the past influence during British governance, the English language is widely spoken in Malta and is generally the official language used for business. Other languages are also fluently spoken, mostly being the Italian due to the fact that it was an official language until 1934 and due to the close distance between the countries, however even French and German are fluently spoken in Malta.

Travel

Due to its central location, Malta is easily accessible from every continent. The national carrier AirMalta operates regularly in most of the airports in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East with other international carriers operating on a daily basis.

Weather

In general, Malta enjoys a warm climate which makes it easier to unwind and live a relaxing lifestyle with the possibility to enjoy its beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters and cruising around the islands.

Entertainment

In Malta, there is a lot happening all year round with activities for every age and every genre. Due to its dynamic history, Malta has a number of historical venues and museums, with a lot of cultural events happening all year round. In Malta, every occasion is a good occasion to celebrate and this approach is experienced on a daily basis in the lifestyle lived in Malta. Apart from the beaches, waters and stunning panoramic views, the Malta’s events calendar is packed with a variety of festivals from; music, art, food, wine to fireworks, with summer festa taking place in every village and town across the islands.

 

Malta is not just known for its history, sunny days and azure waters, it is also building a good reputation in nightlife being considered as a clubbing hub with international DJs performing in stunning venues all year round. Malta has its own traditional cuisine with restaurants specialising in such fare spread all over Malta mostly being at the North of the Island whilst the South area is more specialised in seafood cuisine. Around Malta and Gozo, there are numerous restaurants specialising in different cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish and Indian.

Education

Malta has a high level of education with most of the subjects being examined in the English language. The education system in Malta follows closely the British system with five stages; kindergarten, primary, secondary, higher and university and it is compulsory from the age of 3 to 16 years. Malta has a free state education system with various optional private schools where most lessons are taught in English as opposed to state schools where Maltese tend to be the primary language used for tuition.

 

To improve the work/life balance within the families, Malta also provides for free childcare system for parents who are employed/self-employed or pursuing their education.

Safety

Malta has a low crime rate which makes it easier to walk at night with a peaceful mind and despite its geographical location, Malta has never been involved in any terrorist attacks and is considered as a neutral country with no international enemies. Malta is a safe place to live in and enjoy the incredible lifestyle it offers.

Economy

Malta’s economy keeps on excelling being one of the strongest economies in the EU, surviving any Eurozone economic crisis and sustain constant growth with a low rate of unemployment. It has been classified as an advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund and an innovation-driven economy by the World Economic Forum. Malta’s economy is a service-based economy being mainly dependent on foreign trade, tourism, and financial services. Over the past years, it has established itself as a hub for important innovative sectors like i-gaming and blockchain. Malta’s economic strength is driven by its strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, an open market economy, a multilingual population, a productive labour force and a favorable tax system for foreign investment. All these factors contribute to the economic growth of the country.