Pre-Departure Course · Study topic 2 of 7
Malta — geography, government, and key facts
Understanding where Malta is, how it is governed, and what makes it distinct as a small EU member state gives you the foundation to understand everything else in the course.
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3 sections · 10 key facts · 5 quiz questionsGeography and size
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea, approximately 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of the North African coast. The archipelago consists of three inhabited islands — Malta (the largest, at about 246 km²), Gozo (67 km²), and Comino — plus several small uninhabited islets.
With a population of approximately 520,000 (as of the mid-2020s), Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The capital city is Valletta, one of the smallest capital cities in the European Union and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. There is very little rainfall between June and September.
Government and EU membership
Malta is a parliamentary republic. The President of Malta is the head of state, appointed by the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the head of government and leads the Cabinet.
The House of Representatives (Il-Kamra tad-Deputati) is the unicameral parliament. Members are elected using a Single Transferable Vote system. Elections must be held at least every five years.
Malta gained independence from British rule on 21 September 1964 and became a republic on 13 December 1974. Malta joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. As an EU member, Malta is part of the Schengen Area.
Languages and national identity
Malta has two official languages: Maltese (Malti) and English. Maltese is the national language — a Semitic language with strong Arabic roots, combined with Romance and English influences. It is the only Semitic language written in the Latin script and is an official language of the EU.
English is widely spoken across all sectors of Maltese life, including government, education, business, and tourism. Almost all official signage and government documents appear in both languages.
The Maltese national identity is strongly shaped by Catholicism, a long history of foreign rule (Arab, Norman, Knights of St John, French, and British), and the experience of the Second World War — particularly the Siege of Malta, for which the island was awarded the George Cross by King George VI in 1942.
Key facts to remember
- Malta is in the central Mediterranean Sea — 93 km south of Sicily
- The three inhabited islands are Malta, Gozo, and Comino
- Capital city: Valletta — also a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Population: approximately 520,000 — one of the world's most densely populated countries
- Malta joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008
- Independence from Britain: 21 September 1964; Republic: 13 December 1974
- Official languages: Maltese (Malti) and English
- Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet
- Malta is part of the Schengen Area
- The island was awarded the George Cross in 1942 during the Siege of Malta
Study tips
- Link the key dates together as a timeline: Knights arrive → French conquest (1798) → British rule (1800) → Independence (1964) → Republic (1974) → EU (2004) → Euro (2008).
- Remember that Malta has two official languages — the course may test whether you know the difference between Maltese (national language) and English (co-official).
- The George Cross is a frequently referenced fact in Maltese identity — know what it is and when it was awarded.
- Density is a useful anchor: Malta is tiny but very densely populated — useful for understanding why housing and infrastructure work differently there.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing Malta's independence date (1964) with its EU accession date (2004)
- Not knowing that Maltese is a Semitic language — its Arabic roots are distinctive
- Thinking Malta is a monarchy — it is a parliamentary republic
- Forgetting that Valletta is the capital (not the largest city — that is Birkirkara)
Quick review
Click each question to reveal the answer.
When did Malta join the European Union?
1 May 2004.
What are the two official languages of Malta?
Maltese (Malti) and English.
What is the capital of Malta?
Valletta.
What language family does Maltese belong to?
Semitic — with strong Arabic roots and influences from Romance languages and English.
What medal was Malta awarded in 1942 and why?
The George Cross, awarded by King George VI for the island's resistance and endurance during the Siege of Malta in the Second World War.