MALTA'S PROFILE

The Republic of Malta consists of three islands, situated in the centre of the Mediterranean sea, just 80 kilometres off the southern coast of Sicily, Italy.

Malta, the mainland, has a total land area of 320 square kilometres with a population of just over 400,000.  English and Maltese are both official languages.   Italian is also widely spoken. Malta obtained political independence from the British Crown in 1964 and became a Republic in 1973.

Malta enjoys a democratic system of government.

Malta is a member of the major international organisations including the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

Malta has a sound infrastructure from both a financial and a geographic angle.   Telecommunications, postal links, courier services, banking and IT are efficient and of a high standard.

During the last fifteen years, Malta has developed into a modern financial centre and today ranks along with the major financial centres within the Mediterranean region.

The National holidays observed in Malta are: