Malta Facts
Capital: Valletta
Government Type: Republic
Currency: Eur
Population: 411,277
Total Area: 122 Square Miles
316 Square Kilometers
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Language: Maltese (official), English (official)
Languages
Maltese (official), English (official). The Maltese language has a Semitic structure derived from a early form of Arabic. Both Maltese and English are official languages. The written form of Maltese is a Latin script, and it is used in commerce, education and business. However, English is a second language that is taught in school.
The Malta People
Religious and professional titles are used. People from a rural area may pat one another on the back, shoulder or arm in a friendly gesture. There are many factors in the way people greet each other. These include gender, how well they know each other, social status and age. Formal greetings begin and end with a hand-shake.
