Malta Geography and Population

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 layers to 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. For culture and traditions of Malta, please check aparentingblog.