Malta - geography
With 1282 residents per km2 (2005) Malta is the second most
populous state in Europe after Monaco. 93% of Maltese live on the main island of
Malta (246 km2), the rest on the smaller islands of Gozo (Maltese Ghawdex)
and Comino (Kemmuni). On the northeastern part of the island of Malta
are the largest cities, Birkirkara (21,600 residents; 1997) and Qormi (19,700
residents; 1997), which together with the tourist center Sliema and the
capital Valletta form an almost contiguous urbanized area around the bay
of Grand Harbor.. As a result of emigration, approximately 800,000 Maltese abroad. The
birth rate has fallen significantly in recent years, but there is some
immigration. Between 1995 and 2005, the country had an annual population growth
of 0.7%.
- Countryaah:
Do you know how many people there are in Malta? Check this site to see
population pyramid and resident density about this country.
Industries
In 1960, 20,000 tourists visited Malta; in 2001, the annual number was 1.2
million, predominantly on charter holidays. Tourism and its subsidiaries in all
industries have become crucial to the country's economy, and approximately 68% of the
employed are employed in public and private services; this also includes transit
trade and a significant financial sector. The merchant fleet comprises
approximately 1400 vessels (over 1000 GRT). In industry etc. is employed
30%. Shipyards were formerly the country's largest workplaces, but the British
naval bases closed in 1979 and the industry has declined sharply due to
international competition. The same applies to the other traditional industry,
garment industry, which employs nearly 1/4of the
industrial workers. Of importance is also the production of cigarettes, beer,
furniture and plastic products as well as the graphic industry. Malta's
agriculture (vegetables, potatoes, fruit, tobacco), which, like fishing,
predominantly supplies food to the domestic market, employs less than 2% of the
working population on very small private plots of land; the average size is 1.1
ha and almost all agricultural properties are under 5 ha.
Nature
The main limitation for Maltese agriculture is the small water resources,
caused by the geological and climatic characteristics of the country. The
islands are a result of the alpine folding, and the subsoil consists of layers
of limestone deposits; on the main island, to the SW, the hard coral limestone
stands as relatively barren cliffs, while the softer Globigerina limestone
layersto the NE has created a hilly and more fertile landscape (with easily
accessible building materials); cracks in the limestone layers, created by
faults and fractures, make the seeping water inaccessible. Consumption water is
therefore produced in desalination plants. The climate is a typical subtropical
Mediterranean climate with very dry and hot summers; in April-August it rains
infrequently, and only on the 8% of agricultural land irrigated is it possible
to grow more crops a year.
Malta is located on important migration routes for a large number of bird
species, and in spring and autumn millions of birds come here. There are strong
traditions for hunting almost all species, including small songbirds, which in
many other places are not considered game-hunting. Especially since the 1970's,
this hunt has aroused indignation among bird lovers in Northern Europe, who fear
for their populations of migratory songbirds, and in the 1990's, some rest areas
under pressure from abroad have been protected and a careful regulation of the
hunt has begun.
Malta - language
Official languages are Maltese and English. Maltese, originally Arabic and
introduced by conquerors in the 800's, is written in the Latin alphabet. The
language has since incorporated many Sicilian and more recently English
words. After independence, Maltese is used as a written language and language of
instruction in primary school.
Malta - religion
Ca. 98% of the population belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Among other
denominations, the Anglican Church and Islam in particular are prominent.
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