Changes

| government_type        = {{nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]]}} [[republic]]

| government_type        = {{nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]]}} [[republic]]

| leader_title1          = [[President of Malta|President]]

| leader_title1          = [[President of Malta|President]]

| leader_name1          = [[George Vella]]

| leader_name1          = [[Myriam Spiteri Debono]]

| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Malta|Prime Minister]]

| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Malta|Prime Minister]]

| leader_name2          = [[Robert Abela]]

| leader_name2          = [[Robert Abela]]

| leader_name3          = [[Angelo Farrugia]]

| leader_name3          = [[Angelo Farrugia]]

| leader_title4          = [[Chief Justice of Malta|Chief Justice]]

| leader_title4          = [[Chief Justice of Malta|Chief Justice]]

| leader_name4          = [[Joseph Azzopardi]]

| leader_name4          = [[Mark Chetcuti]]

| legislature            = {{nowrap|[[Parliament of Malta|House of Representatives]]}}

| legislature            = {{nowrap|[[Parliament of Malta|House of Representatives]]}}

| sovereignty_type      = Independence

| sovereignty_type      = Independence

| footnote_c            = {{note|c|}} Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states.

| footnote_c            = {{note|c|}} Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states.

}}

}}

'''Malta''' is a country in [[Southern Europe]], and a member of the [[European Union]]. It is an island near the center of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], south of [[Sicily]]. The [[capital (city)|capital]] of Malta is [[Valletta]]. Around 500,000 people live in Malta and it is one of the most [[dense]]ly [[population|populated]] countries in the world. Malta is 316 sq km, which makes it one of the [[List of countries by area|smallest]] countries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2022|title=Malta|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/malta/|website=CIA Factbook}}</ref> Its many [[city|cities]] and [[town]]s grew close to each other over time.

'''Malta''' is a country in [[Southern Europe]], and a member of the [[European Union]]. It is an island near the center of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], south of [[Sicily]].  Although it is geologically located on the African Plate, Malta is recognized as a European country. The [[capital (city)|capital]] of Malta is [[Valletta]]. Around 500,000 people live in Malta and it is one of the most [[dense]]ly [[population|populated]] countries in the world. Malta is 316 sq km, which makes it one of the [[List of countries by area|smallest]] countries and the smallest in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2022|title=Malta|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/malta/|website=CIA Factbook}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://education.ec.europa.eu/news/studying-in-the-smallest-countries-in-europe#:~:text=Malta,the%20European%20Union%20(EU).|title=Studying in the smallest countries in Europe|publisher=CIA.gov|accessdate=17 February 2025}}</ref> Its many [[city|cities]] and [[town]]s grew close to each other over time.

== Language ==

== Language ==

[[Maltese language|Maltese]] is the national [[language]] of Malta and is influenced by Greek due to [[Magna Grecia]] settlements in [[Sicily]]. Maltese and [[English language|English]] are the official languages in line with the constitution of the country. A majority of the people of Malta can speak three languages; Maltese, English and [[Italian language|Italian]].

[[Maltese language|Maltese]] is the national [[language]] of Malta. It is a [[Semitic languages|Semitic language]] similar to the [[Maghrebi Arabic|Maghrebi Dialects]] of North Africa, with a high amount of influence from Romance languages, in particular Italian, and more recently English. Maltese and [[English language|English]] are the official languages in line with the constitution of the country. A majority of the people of Malta can speak three languages; Maltese, English and [[Italian language|Italian]].

== Money ==

== Money ==

Malta had its own [[currency]], called the [[Maltese Lira]] until 2008. The Maltese ''Lira'' was better known as the Maltese ''Pound'' because of the strong links to the [[United Kingdom]]. One Maltese Lira consisted of 100 ''cents''. In 2008 Malta joined the [[Euro]] countries in adopting the Euro as the National Currency.

Malta had its own [[currency]], called the [[Maltese Lira]] until 2008. The Maltese ''Lira'' was better known as the Maltese ''Pound'' because of the strong links to the [[United Kingdom]]. One Maltese Lira consisted of 100 ''cents''. In 2008 Malta joined the [[Euro]] countries in adopting the Euro as the National Currency.

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

File:Malta National Anthem.ogg|L-Innu Malti composed by Robert Samut performed by the United States Navy Band

File:Malta National Anthem.ogg|L-Innu Malti composed by Robert Samut performed by the United States Navy Band

File:Ggantija Temples, Xaghra, Gozo.jpg|[[Ġgantija]] [[megalith]]ic temple complex

File:Ggantija Temples, Xaghra, Gozo.jpg|[[Ġgantija]] [[megalith]]ic temple complex

File:Justinian555AD.png|The lands which comprise modern-day Malta were a part of the Byzantine Empire (the empire in 555 under [[Justinian the Great]], at its greatest extent since the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] (its [[vassal state|vassals]] in pink)).

File:Justinian555AD.png|The lands which comprise modern-day Malta were a part of the Byzantine Empire (the empire in 555 under [[Justinian the Great]], at its greatest extent since the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] (its [[vassal state|vassals]] in pink)).

File:Roman Malta.jpg|[[Ancient Rome|Roman]] mosaic from the [[Domvs Romana]]

File:Roman Malta.jpg|[[Ancient Rome|Roman]] mosaic from the [[Domvs Romana]]

File:Roger I of Sicily (Troina).jpg|[[Roger I of Sicily]] returned Malta to Christian rule.

File:Roger I of Sicily (Troina).jpg|[[Roger I of Sicily]] returned Malta to Christian rule.

File:Malta - Mdina - Pjazza San Pawl + St. Paul's Cathedral ex 01 ies.jpg|[[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina]] built in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style

File:Malta - Mdina - Pjazza San Pawl + St. Paul's Cathedral ex 01 ies.jpg|[[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina]] built in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style

</gallery>

</gallery>

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

* [http://www.holidaysmalta.info/ Malta travel guide and information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305070312/http://holidaysmalta.info/ |date=2010-03-05 }}

* [http://www.holidaysmalta.info/ Malta travel guide and information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305070312/http://holidaysmalta.info/ |date=2010-03-05 }}

* [http://www.maltawiki.com Malta Wiki - Malta Popular Encyclopedia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124112445/http://maltawiki.com/ |date=2020-11-24 }}

* [http://www.maltawiki.com Malta Wiki - Malta Popular Encyclopedia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124112445/http://maltawiki.com/ |date=2020-11-24 }}

* [http://www.destinationmalta.com/ Malta holidays and hotels]

* [http://www.destinationmalta.com/ Malta holidays and hotels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705052458/http://www.destinationmalta.com/ |date=2009-07-05 }}

* [http://www.guidetomalta.net/ Malta travel guide]

* [http://www.guidetomalta.net/ Malta travel guide]

* [http://www.malta.cc/ Malta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909215419/http://www.malta.cc/ |date=2007-09-09 }}

* [http://www.malta.cc/ Malta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909215419/http://www.malta.cc/ |date=2007-09-09 }}

[[Category:1974 establishments in Europe]]

[[Category:1974 establishments in Europe]]

[[Category:Commonwealth member states]]

[[Category:Commonwealth member states]]