1. / ˈ m ɒ ltə/ / ˈ m ɒ ltə/ Malta

2. Geography Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean (in its eastern basin), some 80 km south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. Only the three largest islands – Malta (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna) – are inhabited. The islands of the archipelago lie on the Malta plateau, a shallow shelf formed from the high points of a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa that became isolated as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. The archipelago is therefore situated in the zone between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean (in its eastern basin), some 80 km south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. Only the three largest islands – Malta (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna) – are inhabited. The islands of the archipelago lie on the Malta plateau, a shallow shelf formed from the high points of a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa that became isolated as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. The archipelago is therefore situated in the zone between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.archipelago MediterraneanSicilyMalta ChannelMaltaGozoCominoland bridgeIce Agearchipelago MediterraneanSicilyMalta ChannelMaltaGozoCominoland bridgeIce Age

3. Capital  Valletta (/və ˈ l ɛ tə/;) is the capital city of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt [ ˈ il.b ɛ lt]. Geographically, it is located in the South Eastern Region, in the central-eastern portion of the main island of Malta having its western coast with access to the Marsamxett Harbour and its eastern coast in the Grand Harbour. Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe and the second southernmost capital of the European Union after Nicosia. /və ˈ l ɛ tə/capital cityMalta[ ˈ il.b ɛ lt]South Eastern Regionmain island of MaltaMarsamxett HarbourGrand HarbourEuropeNicosia/və ˈ l ɛ tə/capital cityMalta[ ˈ il.b ɛ lt]South Eastern Regionmain island of MaltaMarsamxett HarbourGrand HarbourEuropeNicosia  Valletta contains buildings from the 16th century, built during the rule of the Order of St. John. The city is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo- Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House. The City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. BaroqueManneristNeo- ClassicalModern architectureSecond World WarRoyal Opera House World Heritage SiteUNESCOBaroqueManneristNeo- ClassicalModern architectureSecond World WarRoyal Opera House World Heritage SiteUNESCO

4. Climate Malta has a Mediterranean climate with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Rain occurs mainly in autumn and winter, with summer being generally dry. According to International Living, Malta is the country with the best climate in the world. Malta has a Mediterranean climate with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Rain occurs mainly in autumn and winter, with summer being generally dry. According to International Living, Malta is the country with the best climate in the world.Mediterranean climateInternational LivingMediterranean climateInternational Living

5. Currency Euro Euro

6. Population (429 344) Malta Malta is the most densely populated country in the EU and one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

7. Flag The flag of Malta is a basic bi-colour, with white in the hoist and red in the fly.flagMaltahoistfly