Fun facts about Malta!

04/14/2023

This rock we are on named Malta is a tiny, tranquil and unique island in the Mediterranean Sea that's full of wonderful surprises. With a wealth of history and culture, great food and stunning scenery, there's no wonder it's one of Europe's hottest holiday destinations.

Did you know that the Maltese islands have been ruled by nearly every major Empire of the last two millennia? Or that Malta is in fact not one, not two, not even three, but SEVEN islands? 

Fun facts about Malta! 

Malta has more churches then days in the year!

Yes, Malta is a very Catholic country and there is no way of hiding it. To prove this, one can find one church for each day of the year around the Maltese islands.


Maltese are nuts about Eurovision

No matter how old or young a Maltese person is, there is no way that they will not know the lyrics to Eurovision songs. There is no chance that any Maltese will miss watching the festival.


Maltese people are very loud

Maltese, same as most of the other southern European people, are very loud. They do not feel the need to walk closer to the people they want to talk to, instead, they just shout a little louder. If you live on a ground floor, be prepared to have a wake-up call every day, not later than 7 am.

One of The World's Smallest Countries

Out of 236 countries Malta ranks 204th in size and the smallest in the European Union. It is the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely populated country.

There Are Fourteen Public Holidays Each Year

The people of Malta enjoy 14 public holidays throughout the year. This is the highest number of annual holidays among EU countries. It also kind of reflects the greater amount of celebrations and festivals that Malta observes.

The First Planned Capital City in Europe

Malta's capital Valletta, was the first ever planned city in Europe. During the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the city was sketched out, in 1565. 

Malta being so small give foreigners the impression that all the Maltese know each other.

Malta being relatively small does make it easy to get to know a lot of people. It is not the first time that locals were asked if they know all the other Maltese people on the island. In reality, this question is an exaggeration of the truth, people do not know everyone on, however, chances are that you will most probably have some friends or relative in common.

People Love Enjoying A Kinnie Drink

The Kinnie drink is a beverage locals enjoy the most, and you'll see people giving themselves a refreshing boost with it on a warm day.

The soft drink has been created from oranges, and you'll most commonly find it at various beaches in Malta. We recommend that you drink it chilled because that's the only way to enjoy it. You can bet a warm Kinnie drink is not as great as a cold one

The World's Oldest Structures

The Maltese islands are home to some of the Oldest Man-made Structures in the world, with some thought to be dating back 3,600 BC, some 5,000 years ago. Its megalithic temples are older than the Pyramids of Egypt, The Great Wall of China, and even Stonehenge in England

More Tourists than Residents

Yep, there are 3 times more tourists than there are residents on the Maltese islands! 

Popular Filming Spot for Big Movies

Malta is a popular filming location for big budget productions – including blockbusters like Gladiator and World War Z, and the hit TV series Game Of Thrones 

Malta FAQs:

How old is Malta?

Despite its small size, Malta has a long history, having being first inhabited around 5900 BC. The first settlers were farmers, and their agricultural methods degraded the soil until the islands became uninhabitable.

What is Malta famous for?

As well as being well-known for its stunning diving spots, prehistoric sites, and festivals, Malta is a popular movie location in its own right. The picturesque landscapes, dramatic cliffs and ancient buildings provide the perfect backdrop for many feature films and hit TV shows, especially those aiming for an antiquated vibe.

What makes Malta special?

Malta is unique in that you can visit practically every spot and corner of the island within an hour's drive, due to its small size. Add to that the combination of gorgeous weather, aqua-blue seas and stunning scenery, monolithic temples and buzzing nightlife, Malta is also famous for its local traditional cuisine, and old character houses with brightly-colored balconies.

How did Malta get its name?

Why is Malta named Malta? It's widely believed the word 'Malta' derived from the Greek word μέλι, (meli), meaning 'honey'. The ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melitē), which means 'honey-sweet', which may be due to Malta's unique production of honey, as an endemic subspecies of bees live on the island.

Is Malta part of Spain or Italy?

The island state of Malta is situated in the Mediterranean Sea just below Sicily (Italy). It consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with Malta being the largest island. As Malta is a sovereign state, it is not part of either Spain or Italy.

Which country owns Malta?

Malta has been dominated by 11 foreign rulers in the last two millennia. Malta has been a sovereign state since gaining independence from the British Empire in 1964. The country is still part of the British Commonwealth.

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