Present Government
Malta is a Republic. The Maltese Islands were granted independence from Britain in 1964. The Head of State is President George Abella & the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Malta joined the European Union during the last EU enlargement on the 01st May 2004.
Gozo
Lies about 20 minutes away by ferry. Measuring about one third the size of Malta, it has a character quite distinct from Malta; it is primarily a fishing and farming community, and the countryside is greener and more spectacular. Its main historical attractions are the megalithic temples of Ggantija which, according to the latest analysis, date back to around 4000 years BC
Ferry Service : The Gozo Channel Company operates an all year-round ferry service between Cirkewwa, Malta and Mgarr, Gozo. Journey time is approximately 20 minutes.
Language
The Maltese speak their own particular tongue - Maltese, a language of Semitic origin. With the passing of time, many foreign words, especially from Italian, became part of the language. Maltese is rather unique in that it is the only Semitic language written in Latin characters. English is one of the two official languages and is widely spoken in Malta and Gozo.
Religion
Roman Catholic.
Time in Malta
Malta is on Central European Time (CET), that is, one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and two hours from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October. The islands are six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) in winter and seven hours ahead from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in September.
Currency
We of 1st Januarty 2008 the Euro (€) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents.
Rates of Exchange
Exchange Rate for the Maltese Lira:
€1 = £ 0.82 Sterling Pounds (approx) €1 = 1.28 US Dollars (approx)
Banks
Banking hours are usually between 8:30AM and 12:30PM Mondays to Fridays. Banks are open on Saturday mornings. Some banks are open to the public for longer hours. Opening hours vary according to the winter and summer seasons. Exchange bureaux at Malta International Airport are open 24 hours a day. International bankcards are accepted and foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the Islands. The majority of hotels, larger shops and restaurants also accept payment in the main international currencies. Conversion charges may be applied where outlets opt to accept payment in currencies other than the euro.
In line with EU legislation on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community, any person entering or leaving Malta carrying cash or other monetary value of which is equal to or in excess of €10,000 or equivalent is obliged to fill in the appropriate declaration form available from the Customs.
Shopping
All shopping arcades and shops are situated in very central parts of the island and visitors may easily reach these localities either by private or public transport. Shops are open daily from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. In commercial areas frequented by tourists, however, most shops remain open all day long. The shops in these localities offer all that customers may need, such as food, fashionable clothes for all types of occasions, souvenirs, shoes, hi-fi equipment and household accessories. Shops do not open on Sundays and public holidays.
Major credit cards, travellers' cheques and eurocheques are accepted at most leading shops and restaurants. Card-holders should check with their credit/charge card company for details on merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. There are open-air markets, one day a week, in most towns and villages, and one open-air market daily, at Merchants Street, Valletta. The largest is the Valletta market on Sunday mornings.
Credit Cards
Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International, Master Card and Visa are accepted by most hotels and restaurants and a good number of retail outlets. Card-holders should check with their credit/charge card company for details on merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.
Telephones
Local and international telephone calls can be made from hotel rooms, and credit and charge cards are normally accepted. Telex facilities, as well as facsimile machines, and e-mail/internet access can be utilised in most hotels.
Communications
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 356. Outgoing international code: 00. Public telephone booths are widely available. Mobile Telephone: Dual band network with extensive coverage of land and sea.
The country has 2 major English language daily newspapers, but most major European newspapers are also available. The Public Broadcasting Service operates the country’s main television station, while there are another 4 local television stations. Internet is widely available in the form of internet cafes, as well as hotspots in most major hotels.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycles. The 13 amp, three-pin rectangular sockets are used in Malta.
Cuisine
There are more than 1,000 restaurants available on the islands, mostly serving Mediterranean and Western European cuisine. In addition to this, one can find a number of fast food outlets, including some of the internationally best-known ones. It is also possible to enjoy dining in a selection of restaurants specialising in Italian, Greek and Mexican food, as well as other ethnic cuisines .
Religious Services
The majority of the Maltese are Roman Catholic. Most church services are available all day on the hour on Sundays. Some churches offer services on Saturday evenings, a few also making these available during the week first thing in the morning or in the evening. Hotel staff will be able to assist with service timings. Other services available on the islands are: Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran and Protestant, to name but a few.
Health/medical services
The hotels/resorts usually have their own private doctor who is called in when required, at a charge. Malta has an excellent health service. Hospitals are modern and supported by a regional network of health centres. Travellers do not normally require certificates of vaccination or immunisation to enter the Maltese Islands. Visitors from EU member states should make sure that they have a European Health Insurance card. It is advisable that all visitors, irrespective of their nationality, take out a personal medical insurance policy. Malta has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month, are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo.
Visitors receiving special medical treatment should bring a medical prescription or a letter of introduction from their family doctor, in case they need to purchase particular medicines.
Public Hospitals
Malta Mater Dei Hospital
B'Kara By-pass
B'Kara MSD 2090
Tel: ( 356) 25450000
Email: mdh@gov.mt
Gozo Gozo General Hospital,
Victoria
Tel: ( 356) 21561600
Fax: ( 356) 21560881
Tips
Taxi drivers – 10 %
Unless a service charge has been added to the bill, 10 % of the total amount would also apply in the case of restaurants.
Internal Travel
Malta is served by an excellent bus network (http://www.maltatransport.com/en/), connecting every town and village. The main terminus is located in Valletta.
Taxis are also available in the more central areas, such as St Julians, Valletta, Sliema, and Bugibba.
If you’re planning a trip to Gozo, the island can be reached by ferry (www.gozochannel.com/) from Cirkewwa or Valletta.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day
Feast of St. Paul Shipwreck, February 10
Feast of St. Joseph, March 19
Freedom Day*, March 31
Good Friday, Variable
Workers' Day, May 1
Commemoration of the 1919 Uprising*, June 7
Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul (Mnarja), June 29
Feast of the Assumption (Santa Marija), August 15
Feast of Our Lady of Victories*, September 8
Independence Day*, September 21
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8
Republic Day*, December 13
Christmas Day
* National Holidays