Some interesting and exciting facts about Malta

Here are some interesting  facts about Malta that will help you learn more about the country, the people and their lifestyle.

1) The closer, the Merrier

One of the interesting facts about Malta is it is a close-knit place with a strong sense of community. Almost everyone knows each other. Though it may not always be the case, chances are that you will have some mutual friends.

2) Italian and English supporters on the grounds

Maltese are quite sentimental about football. You will find a huge majority supporting either England or Italy. It will not be a surprise if you witness a tug between the supporters during a World Cup or a Euro. If you are an England supporter, you must go and watch a match in the town of Bugibba. If you are an Italian supporter, you must opt for St. Julians.

3) Best of Friends & Foes

Another interesting fact about Malta is that Maltese are very friendly people. But during village feasts, you might see people from the same town becoming rivals. Malta has a tradition of having one patron saint per village. If there is more than one, the village will then hold two feasts. For that particular week, people in the town will become rivals as they support two different patron saints.

4) Mobility inside Malta

One of the facts about Malta is that the country has a population of 450,000 people and has more than 300,000 registered cars. With their love for cars, it is common in Maltese families for each member to have their car.

5) Motorable area

The Maltese Island has a motorable area of just 316km². This means it will take you approximately an hour to drive from the two farthest towns on the Island (Cirkewwa in the North and Birzebbugia in the South). The only condition for this one-hour drive is zero traffic!

6) Traditional family set-ups

Another interesting fact about Malta is that it is completely normal for children to stay with their parents until they get married. With the Island having compact space, the family set-ups have been arranged to accommodate everyone together. Additionally, the property prices on the Island are quite high to be affordable for individual living spaces.

7) The Marketplace

In some towns of Malta, you will still find traditional vans roaming around streets to sell bread, gas cylinders, bigilla (Maltese traditional dip), doughnuts and ice cream. You will know when they are around as each of them has a peculiar sound that they make, allowing you to differentiate one from another. Do not miss on them for fresh and affordable supplies.

8) Maltese are passionate about Eurovision

One of the facts about Malta is that you will find all the old and young Maltese people humming songs from the Eurovision. You will hardly find any person who does not know the lyrics to Eurovision songs. Hear of a festival in Malta, do attend it to witness the Maltese passion for Eurovision.

9) Malta’s Flag

The Maltese flag is a badge of courage and honour. Malta’s flag is two vertical bands of white and red with the George Cross in the upper left corner. The George Cross was awarded to Malta by King George VI of the United Kingdom in 1942 during World War II. This was in recognition of the Island’s bravery and devotion.

10) Malta’s Carnival: A Must-See Party

Every February, Malta hosts a massive party and Carnival. You get to see everything including floats, costumes and people dancing and crowded streets, especially in Valletta. Want a unique experience? Visit Nadur in Gozo, where things are even more fun.

11) The Hollywood connection

Malta has been a popular filming location for movies like Gladiator, World War Z and Captain Philips, as well as TV series like Game of Thrones.

For students coming to GBS Malta for higher education, it’s good to know that Malta has 14 national holidays throughout the year. That’s the highest number in the EU. Yes, if you love having extra days off from your studies, then Malta is the place for you!