Malta Information Guide & Facts

 Malta

Full Country Name: The Republic of Malta
Area: c. 320km2
Population: 390,000
Capital City: Valletta
People: Maltese
Languages: Maltese, English
Religion(s): Roman Catholic (98%)
Currency: Maltese Lira (Lm)

In Malta, you'll explore 7000 years of history yet live passionately in the present. You'll span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to discover. And wherever you go, the Islands' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colours are striking. Honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.

The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Delve into the Islands' mysterious prehistory, retrace the footsteps of St Paul or see where the Knights of St John defended Christendom.

But Malta is no regular museum. Here life is lived to the full, so make time for some living history and action. Visit locations where Oscar-winning blockbusters were filmed or go off the beaten track into ancient villages. Marvel at the fireworks and revelry of the summertime festas and enjoy a packed calendar of events all year round.

Geography

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago of six islands; Malta, Gozo and Comino are the largest. It is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, (58 miles to Sicily, 180 miles to Libya).

History

Recent History

Malta gained independence in 1964. In the 1970’s, the government, led by Dom Mintoff, turned away from Europe and forged links with the Soviet Union, North Korea and Libya. The Nationalist Party’s election victory in 1987 saw a new emphasis on EU membership. See the section on politics.

Longer Historical Perspective

There are temples on Malta that date from 3800 BC. The Phoenicians colonised the islands around 800 BC and the Romans made Malta part of their empire in 208 BC.

In 1530, the Emperor of Spain gave Malta to the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. They survived a three-month siege by the Turks in 1565 and governed until 1798 when Malta faced the threat of invasion by Napoleon. The Maltese expelled Napoleon, with the assistance of the British Navy, and in 1814 Malta became a British colony. Malta became an important naval base and, lying between Europe and North Africa, a significant strategic point. During World War Two, it was subjected to a long blockade and five months of bombing raids by the Axis powers. Malta was devastated but did not surrender. In 1942 the island of Malta was awarded the George Cross.

Bank Information

Currency, Credit Cards & Banks
The Maltese Pound (Lm) or Lira is divided into 100 cents.  Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into Malta as long as it is declared on arrival.  The maximum amount of Maltese currency that may be brought into the country is of Lm 1000 per person.  On departure, visitors can take out again all their foreign currency, but not more than Lm1000 in Maltese currency.

Banks & Currency Exchange
Banks are normally open between 08.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and up to 11.30 a.m. on Saturday.  Some banks work longer hours.  Summer and winter opening hours may differ.

Exchange Bureaux at Malta International Airport are open 24 hours a day.  International bankcards are accepted and foreign currency is easily exchanged.  Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the Islands. 

Many hotels and larger shops and restaurants can exchange currency.  The exchange slip is required to change local currency back to foreign denominations on departure.  Exchange rates offered by hotels, restaurants and shops are generally inferior to those available at banks. 

Credit Cards
Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops, accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International, Mastercard and Visa.

Shop Hours

Commercial centres and shops are usually easily accessible by public or private transport.  Shops are normally open between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and between 4.00 p.m. and 7 p.m. 
In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 10.00 p.m.  Shops are normally closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Transportation

Buses
Public transport is efficient and reasonably priced.  The main bus terminus in Malta is in Valletta, just outside the City Gate. Malta buses are orange and show the route number on the front. Malta bus routes leave from and go to Valletta.  A few do operate circular routes, but this is not the norm – an express bus service links the principal resorts with Sliema, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, the Three Cities and the main sandy beaches.  All buses to Valletta pass through its suburb town, Floriana.  In towns and villages, the bus terminus is generally found on or near the main square. 

From here, buses go to practically every corner of the Island.  The average length of a bus trip in Malta is 20 to 30 minutes: the longest trip takes 50 minutes. Gozo by public transport is easy: board a bus to Cirkewwa, go as a foot passenger on the ferry, and take a Gozo bus to the capital Victoria.

In Gozo, the bus terminus is in Main Gate Street, Victoria.  Buses in Gozo are grey with a central red band and show the route number on the front.  Unlike in Malta, Gozo buses operate along circular routes, leaving from and returning to Victoria without scheduled stops at termini.  A regular service runs to and from Mgarr, route 25, and is timed to coincide with the ferry timetable. 

For more details visit the Public Transport Authotity www.atp.com.mt

Car Hire
Most international car hire companies have a branch in Malta.  Local companies, too, offer this service, with or without a chauffeur.  Car hire rates are very reasonable compared to those in other European countries.

Driving
In Malta, driving is on the left.  There are speed limits of 64 kph on the open road and 40 kph in built- up areas. Comprehensive insurance is advisable. National or international driving licences accepted.

Auto Accidents
If you have a motor vehicle accident, telephone the police on 191 and if you require an ambulence, phone 196. If the collision is severe, drivers should stay with their vehicles until the police have arrived and taken note of the incident.  Insurance companies will not entertain any claim unless it is supported by a police report. 
In the event of a shunt - ‘front-to-rear’ or ‘fender-bender’ incident, a police report is not required, but a form – obtained from any police station – must be completed.  This only applies in the case of direct, front to bumper shunts and does not apply to any lateral impact accident.

Cycle, motorbike and scooters
Mountain bikes, bicycles, scooters and motor bikes are all available for hiring. For hire companies and cycle shops, click here.

Bicycles & Mountain Biking
Cycling is becoming a popular sport and leisure activity.  It is a good way to really get off the beaten track and traverse the country on the myriad rural lanes that criss-cross the Islands.  Cycling is not recommended in the urban areas though.  For who can help, click here.

Taxis
Taxis are identifiable by their all-white livery.  All taxis are fitted with metres and should charge government-controlled prices.  However, you should agree the fare before starting the journey.  Taxis available at the airport operate a different system.  If you opt to take a taxi from Malta International Airport, pay the fare at the taxi ticket booth in the arrivals lounge.  You will receive a ticket showing the destination and fare paid.  You hand the ticket to the driver at the end of your journey.  If you decide to go to a different destination from that paid for, drivers are obliged to use the meter.  Any complaints should be addressed to the Public Transport Authority, Tel: (00356) 21438475.

Boat Hire
Canoes, boats, sailing boats, pedal boats, windsurfers, jet-skis, speedboats and yachts can be hired from the main water sport centres.  To find out of who can help you, click here.

Places to Visit

'Clapham Junction' and Ghar il-Kbir - Dingli
Ghar il-Kbir (the Great Cave), on a hill south of Buskett Forest, was inhabited from prehistoric times until 1835. It is not one cave, but consists of several caves, which were used as cave houses. More interesting though is the impressive concentration of cart ruts around the cave. Thought to date from Neolithic times, these enigmatic tracks or parallel grooves are hewn into the rock and criss-cross one another. No one really knows how they were made nor what they were used for.    

Bir Mula Heritage House -  Cospicua
Bir Mula Heritage House is a building, said to be over 1000 years old, in which ancient artefacts have been discovered by the owners. Bought as a home, the owners decided to convert it into a museum that now also houses items found in the Cottonera (Three Cities) area. The house comprises a history and heritage museum, an activity hall and the old farmhouse hall. Books on Malta, videos and souvenirs are available.  

Borg in-Nadur Temple -  Birzebbugia
These temple ruins are situated in the rich archaeological southern area of Malta. They are important because they appear to reveal not only a four-apse temple (c.2000 B.C.), but also a fortified, Bronze-age domestic settlement. The remains of a large, defensive wall lie nearby. The wall runs across the head of a promontory between two valleys leading down to St George's and Pretty Bay. Traces of the Bronze Age huts were discovered lying just behind the wall.

Citadel -  Victoria
Gozo's Citadel rises steeply above the surrounding countryside, its impressive bastions commanding a superb view of the Island. The Citadel owes its roots to the late medieval era, but the hill has been settled since Neolithic times. After the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights set about re-fortifying it to provide refuge and defence against further attack. Until 1637, the Gozitan population was required by law to spend their nights within the Citadel for their own safety. The Citadel seems lost in time, though not abandoned. Its narrow alleys house several museums and small shops selling local crafts and produce.

De Redin Towers -  Valletta
The coastline of the Islands is dotted with watch towers, called De Redin towers after the Grand Master who commissioned their building in 1657. The De Redin Towers took just two years to build. The line extends from Marfa - the extreme north-east point - to Delimara in the south-east, and then up to Wied iz-Zurrieq where the coast turns into steep cliffs, so no additional towers were necessary. They were built in such a way that each tower was within line of sight of the next so that a signal could be a passed easily along the line to warn of enemy approach.

Ggantija Temples - Xaghra 
The Ggantija Temples (place of giants) are thought to be the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Excavated between 1816 and 1820, the complex comprises two Neolithic temples dating from the third millennium B.C (3600 to 3000 B.C.). During the 1827 excavations, pottery, vases and statuettes were unearthed. These are now displayed in the archaeology museums in Victoria and Valletta.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples - Qrendi
Hagar Qim, discovered under rubble in 1839, dates from around 2400 - 2000 B.C. The largest megalith at Hagar Qim is some seven metres high and weights around 20 tons. The Mnajdra Temple group stands isolated, about 600 metres further down cliff top. Mnajdra is made up of two sizeable temples and is thought to date from around 3400B.C.

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum - Paola
The Hypogeum is a labyrinthine complex of man-made chambers hewn out of the limestone extending some 11 metres below ground. Neolithic man carved out the Hypogeum using only antlers and stone picks as tools, and in semi darkness. The Hypogeum is made up of three superimposed levels. The middle level, hewn out during the temple period (3800 - 2500 B.C.) is made up of numerous chambers.

Manoel Theatre and Museum - Valletta
The Manoel Theatre, built for the `honest entertainment of the people', by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena in 1731, is one of the oldest theatres in Europe still in use. Next door to the Manoel, housed in Palazzo Bonici, is the Theatre Museum and the offices of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, a foundation that preserves and exhibits Maltese heritage. The Theatre runs guided tours at 10.30 and 11.30 from Monday to Friday and at 11.30 on Saturdays. Tickets are available from the Manoel Theatre Bookshop in Palazzo Bonici.

Xaghra Circle - Xaghra
A few metres away from Ggantija Temples is the site known as the Xaghra Circle or Brochdorff Circle. In the 1820s, the Lieutenant Governor of Gozo, Otto Bayer conducted an "excavation" at the circle which was recorded by the local artist Charles de Brochdorff in 1825. Bayer unearthed a deep hole containing large megalithic structures.