GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Malta.
Capital
Valletta.
Geography
According to topschoolsintheusa, the Maltese archipelago, which consists of six islands, is located in the south-eastern Mediterranean. The largest of the inhabited islands, the main island of Malta, is 93 km south of Sicily and 290 km north of the North African coast. Gozo and Comino are also populated. The landscape of the three inhabited islands is characterized by hills and terraced fields. Malta has no mountains or rivers. On the coast you will find harbors, bays, beautiful sandy beaches and small rocky bays. Gozo can be reached by ferry from Malta and has lush vegetation, gently rolling hills and rugged cliffs. Comino is the smallest island and can be reached by ferry from Malta and Gozo. Only four Maltese live on the islet.
Government
Republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1974. 1974 Constitution, numerous amendments. Unicameral parliament (currently 69 members). Independent since 1964 (former British Crown Colony). Malta is a member of the EU.
Head of state
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, since April 2014.
Head of government
Joseph Muscat, since March 2013.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. There are no standard equipment, mostly English three-pin plugs are used. Adapters are recommended.
Time zone
Central European Time: CET +2 (CET +3 from March 26 to October 29, 2017)
TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety instructions
Crime
Lately there has been a sharp increase in theft, particularly in Paceville and on the public buses on the Paceville – St. Julians – Sliema – Valletta routes. It is recommended to keep identity papers, credit cards, travel documents, but also larger amounts of money safe in the accommodation and to check them in good time before your return journey. Copies of ID should be carried.
MONEY
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the denominations of 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
Most hotels and restaurants as well as many shops accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question. Card payment is common practice and free of charge for euro members.
ATMs
EC / Maestro card / Sparcard
With EC / Maestro card and PIN number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs throughout Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with the ec- / Maestro card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in Europe. With the Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Plus logo.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m. and Sat 8.30 a.m.-11.30 a.m. Some banks are also open longer. The opening times vary in winter and summer.
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no restrictions on the import or export of national or foreign currencies for travelers within and outside the EU, but there is an obligation to declare cash from the equivalent of € 10,000 (including travelers checks, other currencies or checks made out to third parties).
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange is possible in banks, exchange offices, some hotels as well as in larger shops and restaurants. Currency exchange at Malta International Airport is possible 24 hours. Currency exchange and ATMs are everywhere.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official languages are Maltese (a Semitic language interspersed with Arabic and Romance vocabulary) and English. Italian is the third official language.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
English is the main language spoken in business circles. The business protocol is conservative. Punctuality and good clothing are important. The best months for business travel are October to May.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. and Sat 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Some offices take a lunch break from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Economy
German-Maltese Chamber of Commerce
Messina Palace, 141, St. Christopher Street, Valletta VLT 02
Tel: 21 42 17 64.
Internet: www.german-maltese.com
Malta Enterprise
Enterprise Center, Industrial Estate, San Gwann SGN 09
Tel: 25 42 00 00.
Internet: www.maltaenterprise.com
Malta chamber of Commerce (chamber of Commerce)
c / o Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 05 MT
Tel: (021) 23 38 73.
Internet: www.chamber.org.mt
Business contacts
German-Maltese Chamber of Commerce
Messina Palace, 141, St. Christopher Street, Valletta VLT 02
Tel: 21 42 17 64.
Internet: www.german-maltese.com
Malta Enterprise
Enterprise Center, Industrial Estate, San Gwann SGN 09
Tel: 25 42 00 00.
Internet: www.maltaenterprise.com
Malta chamber of Commerce (chamber of Commerce)
c / o Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 05 MT
Tel: (021) 23 38 73.
Internet: www.chamber.org.mt
COMMUNICATION
Phone
The country code is 00356. Public card phones can be found everywhere in cities, in Maltacom PLC offices and in hotels.
Cellphone
GSM 900 and GSM 1800. Network operators include Vodafone Malta (Internet: www.vodafone.com.mt) and Go (Internet: www.go.com.mt). International roaming contracts exist.
International roaming can be used within the EU at the Euro tariff. Customers of all European mobile network operators automatically make all calls in and from other EU countries at the euro rate. However, the Eurotariff does not apply to other mobile communications services such as SMS, MMS and data transmission.
Internet
Internet provider includes Go (Internet: www.go.com.mt). There are several internet cafes and internet phone boxes in Malta. Hotels mostly offer wireless access to the Internet via Wi-Fi. There are also several Wi-Fi hotspots on Malta and Gozo that provide free Internet access. An overview can be found at www.hotspotlocations.com and www.mca.org.mt/wifi-hotspots.
Post Office
Airmail shipments to Western and Central Europe take about three days. The mail connections on the island are good.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Woven and pottery, glassware, dolls, copper and brass articles, gold and silver filigree work, hand-made lace.
Opening times of the shops: I. General. Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are several nightclubs. Roulette, baccarat, blackjack and boules can be played in the palatial Dragonara Casino in St. Julian’s or in the Casino de Venezia in Vittoriosa. The Manoel Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Europe. English and American films are often shown in cinemas.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Many hotels offer significant discounts outside of the main season. Further information is available from the tourist office (see addresses).
Hotel classification: Hotels are divided into the Hotelstars Union star categories from one to five stars.
Camping
There are no campsites. Camping outside is not permitted.
Other accommodation options
There are five youth hostels in Malta (four in Malta, one in Gozo), at least two of which are always open. For more information, contact NSTS, 220 St. Paul Street, MT-Valletta VLT 07 (Tel: 25 58 80 00. Internet: www.nsts.org). Written reservations in English.
CULTURE
Religion
Catholics (98%); Protestant minority.
Social rules of conduct
The usual European forms of courtesy are expected. Maltese are extremely hospitable. When visiting a church, your shoulders and legs should be covered.
Smoking is prohibited in public transport, cinemas, discos, hotels and restaurants.
Tip: If the tip is not already included in the hotel or restaurant bill, 5-10% is expected, which the guest leaves on the table. Taxi drivers are given 10% of the fare.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Mediterranean climate. Hot summer temperatures, especially from July to September. Cool sea breezes soften the climate. There are only short periods of rain, mainly between December and March. Mostly mild winters. Hot winds coming from the African continent can raise temperatures in spring and autumn in Malta. The best travel time starts in late spring and ends in late autumn.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +356 Area (sq km) 316 Population 413 965 Population density (per sq km) 1310 Population in 2015 Member of the EU Yes main emergency number 112
