Malta
Malta is a group of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited. Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of civilisations with a history stretching back thousands of years. The country has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. Later the islands were for centuries the seat of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John and then part of the British Empire. Malta became independent in 1964.The national language is Maltese, which is part of the Semitic language family that includes Arabic. English is also recognised as an official language, and many Maltese also speak Italian. Tourism is important in Malta but the island also has an expanding services.
Who are the Maltese?
The first settlers of Malta were from the island of Sicily. However, the result of the influences on the population after this have been fiercely debated among historians and geneticists. The origins question is complicated by numerous factors, including Malta's turbulent history of invasions and conquests, with long periods of depopulation followed by periods of immigration to Malta and intermarriage with the Maltese by foreigners from the Mediterranean, Western and Southern European countries that ruled Malta.
Interesting Facts
- Malta was earlier known as Melita, meaning the island of honey, by ancient Greeks and Romans
- Malta is believed to have served as the site for the legendary city of Atlantis.
- Valletta has been named after Jean Parisot de la Valette, a Grand Master of the Knights of St John.
- The University of Malta was founded way back in the year 1592.
- In 1798, Malta was taken over by Napoleon, who ended the Inquisition introduced by the Knights.
- Malta's Grand Harbor boasts of being one of the best natural deep-water harbors in the world.
- The first trade union in Malta was formed by Maltese teachers in the year 1919. It was known as ‘Malta Union of Teachers’.
- Malta was awarded with the George Cross, by King George VI (UK), in the year 1942.
- Malta is a member of the Commonwealth Nations and European Union.
Sports
SailingSailing in Malta is a very popular sport. You can choose to charter a sailing boat for a day, weekend or week. This will give you the opportunity to explore the maltese waters at your own pace. You can charter with your own skipper, or if you have the right qualifications, on your own.
The Adira sailing school in Ghadira Bay, Mellieha is run by RYA Qualified Instructors, using only the latest equipment. Call for the latest offers and find out how affordable and easy sailing really is. Choose from a wide range of boards & dinghies. Alternatively, just relax at the sandy beach where clear blue waters await you and your family.
WindsurfingWindsurfing is a sport well suited to the Maltese Island's. There is always a location where the winds are favourable.
DivingThe wonderful thing about diving in Malta is that it can be done all year round. Choose malta and their partner are offering dive courses for all levels. If you have never experienced diving, then you can choose to do a taster dive for a feel of life under water. Canoeing/jetskiing/swimming.
Most beaches or lidos offer various water sports. You can rent jet-skiis, canoes, paddle boats and even windsurfers. Water skiing and paragliding are also offered in some places and are definitely worth a try! Swimming can be done almost anywhere, there is even a national swimming pool that is open to guests for a small fee.
Kite-SurfingKite-surfing is a fun sport but not for the faint hearted. If you like the idea of wakeboarding with a kite then this is the sport for you.
Rock ClimbingThere are over 1,300 established rock climbing routes in the Maltese islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino) in about 30 different climbing areas. This is by no means exhaustive, as plenty of virgin rock still waits. The various climbing crags and cliffs are easily accessible. Although Malta has no mountains – the highest point above sea level being 253 meters (829 ft.) - the variety and beauty of climbing scenarios are plentiful and stunning.
FishingIt is also a new trend in the Maltese Islands to consider fishing as a sport. In fact due to Maltese history and culture, fishing was always considered as a substitute to the every day bread and fishing itself was no fun at all, but just another way how to survive. Obviously times change and even though there are still full-time and part-time fishermen, it is becoming more and more one of those jobs that nobody really wants to do any more.
Maltese Cuisine
Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on fresh seasonal locally available produce and seafood, with some influence from Italian cuisine, particularly Sicily and the south. There are many unique and distinctive local dishes and the cuisine also embodies the gastronomic legacies of Malta's past, including not only Italian, but Spanish, Moorish, and more recently British influence.
Maltese cuisine is still popular in households and restaurants in Malta, but influences from outside Malta's shores continue, though nowadays they come through travel and TV rather than foreign domination. Alongside Malta's traditional cuisine with its strong Southern Mediterranean character, there is today an eclectic mix of dishes drawn from other cuisines, not only Italian but also Asian, North American and Mexican for example.
Some of dishes; Balbuljata or Barbuljata (Scrambled egg dish), Ful bit-tewm (Beans with mint and garlic),Braġjoli (Beef olives), Laħam fuq il-fwar (Steamed Meat) ,Falda Mimlija (Stuffed Flank) , Laħam taż-żiemel (Horse or stallion meat) , Zalzett tal-Malti (Maltese sausage)
Religion
The religion that is adhered to by the majority of the Maltese people is Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholicism also happens to be the state religion of Malta. Around 95% of the people in Malta are followers of this faith. As such, there is the presence in Malta of as many as 365 catholic churches which play a very important role in the life of the Maltese people. However, besides Roman Catholicism there been the practice of other religions too as Malta religion. In Malta there are a few Jews too.
Maltese people are strict adherents to their faith and Maltese people are baptized soon after birth in the Catholic Church. The many Churches that are found to be present in Malta include structures the foundation of some of which had been laid in the very early times. The Churches in Malta are noted for their architectural beauty and the domes have a height that can be viewed from a great distance. As such, very often the parish churches are the points that help people reach the center of a village or a town.
Cultural Do's and Don't's
- Do accept any invitations to someone's home for tea or dinner - these are relatively rare.
- Do dress in a fairly conservative way. The wearing of scanty dress away from the beaches is not welcomed, nor is immodest dress inside of churches.
- Don't tip at a restaurants, as it is not expected unless a hostess takes your order. The locals tip 5% at restaurants for good service so there is no need to tip more.
- Don't be overly familiar, as this will be frowned upon.
