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MALTA FACT FILE | Country’s full name: | Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta’ Malta). | | Capital city: | Valletta | | Population: | 405,577 | | Official language: | Both Maltese and English are official languages. | | Currency: | Euro | | Religion: | Roman Catholicism is the religion of 98% of the population. Other denominations have places of worship. | | Location: | 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km east of Tunisia. | | International dialing code: | +356 | | Internet domain: | .mt | | Area: | Malta is composed of three major islands (and 3 minor):
* Malta Island 246 sq km (94.9 square miles)
* Gozo 67 sq km (25.9 square miles)
* Comino 3 sq km (1.1 square miles)
There are also some minor uninhabited islands. | | Terrain: | Mostly low, rocky, with dissected plains and many coastal cliffs. | | Climate: | Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild winters. Annual rainfall is 23 inches and falls mostly between October and March. Average temperature
* Dec - Feb 13.2°c
* June - Aug 25.8°c | | Average annual rainfall (1990 - 2002): | 591.3mm | | Administrative divisions: | The country is administered directly from the capital Valletta. However, there are 67 local councils. |
Main Economic Indicators Unemployment rate (2006): 7.3%
GDP per head (US $) (2006): US $ 20,30055
GDP average growth rate (2006): 2.5%
Inflation rate (Dec 2006 12 month ave.): 2.77%
Total exports (million euro) (2006): 1,829
Total imports (million euro) (2006): 2,891
Internet usage rate (2006): 23.6%56
Banking
Malta’s banking system is well regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. On 1 May 2004 the Central Bank of Malta joined the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and on 1 January 2008 it became part of the Eurosystem. The main objective of the Eurosystem and the Central Bank of Malta is to maintain price stability. In order to meet this objective, the Central Bank of Malta participates in the preparation and decision-making process of the Eurosystem’s monetary policy.
Business Hours
Offices are usually open 08.00 - 12.30 and 13.30 - 17.00 Monday to Friday. Most offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Shops are open 09.00 - 13.30 and 16.30 - 19.00 Monday to Saturday. Shops are generally not open on Sundays and public holidays though certain businesses are open in the main tourist centres. There are open-air markets one day a week in most towns and villages as well as a daily street market in Valletta.
Business Etiquette Similar etiquette to that of the UK prevails. Business cards should always be presented and appointments kept with punctuality. Business people should be formally addressed, especially those in senior positions, and first names should be used only after a good relationship has been established.
Public Holidays New Year’s Day (1 January)
Ship Wreck of St Paul (10 February)
St Joseph’s Day (19 March)
Good Friday (25 March)
Freedom Day (31 March)
Labour Day (1 May)
Commemoration of the 1919 Uprising (7 June)
St Peter and St Paul (29 June)
Assumption (15 August)
Nativity of Our Lady (8 September)
Independence Day (21 September)
Immaculate Conception (8 December)
Republic Day (13 December)
Christmas Day (25 December)
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