The Republic of Malta, known in Maltese as Repubblika ta’ Malta, is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms an archipelago positioned strategically between Italy and Libya. Malta is situated approximately 80 km (50 mi) south of Sicily, Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. The country’s official languages are Maltese and English, with a notable portion of the population also conversant in Italian. Malta’s capital city is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union both in terms of area and population.
Geography
Malta, primarily an archipelago, is positioned in the central Mediterranean and forms part of the eastern basin. The archipelago includes three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna). These islands are part of the Malta plateau, a land bridge that was isolated due to rising sea levels post the last ice age. Malta lies on the African tectonic plate and has historically been considered part of North Africa.
The landscape of Malta is characterized by low hills and terraced fields, with the highest point being Ta’ Dmejrek near Dingli, standing at 253 meters (830 feet). The islands have no permanent rivers or lakes, though there are some watercourses with freshwater running year-round in specific areas. Malta’s geographic position and its flora are within the Liguro-Tyrrhenian province of the Mediterranean Region and fall under the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests ecoregion.
Demographics
Malta’s population is predominantly native Maltese. However, there is a presence of minority groups, including a significant number of British residents, many of whom are retirees. As of the 2021 census, the population stood at 519,562, making Malta one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
The age composition of Malta’s population mirrors that of the European Union, with a significant percentage of the population under 25 years of age and a notable proportion within the 50–64 age bracket. The old-age-dependency ratio in Malta is rising but remains lower than the EU average. The total fertility rate is below the replacement level, with a significant percentage of births to unmarried women. Life expectancy is high, reflecting the developed status of the country.