Republic of Malta Repubblika ta' Malta (Maltese) | |
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Anthem: L-Innu Malti The Maltese Hymn | |
![]() Location of Malta (Green circle) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) | |
Capital | Valletta 35°54′N 14°31′E / 35.900°N 14.517°E |
Largest city | Birkirkara |
Official languages |
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Common languages | Italian (66% conversational) |
Sign language | Maltese Sign Language |
Demonym(s) | Maltese |
Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
Myriam Spiteri Debono | |
Robert Abela | |
• Speaker | Angelo Farrugia |
Mark Chetcuti | |
Legislature | House of Representatives |
Independence from the United Kingdom | |
21 September 1964 | |
• Republic | 13 December 1974 |
Area | |
• Total | 316[1] km2 (122 sq mi) (186th) |
• Water (%) | 0.001 |
Population | |
• 2014 estimate | 445,426[2] (171st) |
• 2011 census | 416,055[3] |
• Density | 1,410[3]/km2 (3,651.9/sq mi) (7th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $18.404 billion[4] |
• Per capita | $42,239[4] |
GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $11.164 billion[4] |
• Per capita | $25,623[4] |
Gini (2014) | ![]() low · 15th |
HDI (2015) | ![]() very high · 33rd |
Currency | Euro (€10000ll)[b] (EUR) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy (AD) |
Driving side | left |
Calling code | +356 |
ISO 3166 code | MT |
Internet TLD | .mt[c] |
Website www.gov.mt | |
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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 of Malta is Valletta. Around 500,000 people live in Malta and it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta is 316 sq km, which makes it one of the smallest countries.[8] Its many cities and towns grew close to each other over time.