Location

Malta, also known as Republic of Malta, is a Southern European island country

consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km south of
Italy, 284 km east of Tunisia, and 333 km north of Libya. With a population
about 475,000 over an area of 316 km 2, Malta is the world’s tenth smallest and
fifth most densely populated country.

Flag
The flag of the Knights of Malta, a white cross on a red field, was a more likely
source of the Maltese colors, inspiring the red and white shield used during
the British colonial period.
The Cross represents the George Cross which is awarded “for acts of the
greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in the circumstance of
extreme danger”.
Capital
Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Located in the south east of the island,
between Marsamxett Harbor to the west and the Grand Harbor to the east.
Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe, and at just 0.8 km 2 it is the
European Union’s smallest capital city.

There are many famous monuments in Valletta, such as Triton Fountain,

Manoel Theatre and Great Siege Monument.

The Tritons’ Fountain is a fountain located on the periphery of the City

Gate of Valletta, Malta. It consists of three bronze Tritons holding up a large
basin, balanced on a concentric base built out of concrete and clad
in travertine slabs. The fountain is one of Malta's most
important Modernist landmarks.

The Manoel Theatre is a theatre and important performing arts venue in Malta.

The theatre is often referred to as simply "The Manoel", and is named
after Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, Fra António Manoel
de Vilhena, who ordered its construction in 1731.

The Great Siege Monument, also known as the Monument to the Fallen of

the Great Siege, is a monument commemorating the Great Siege of
Malta located in Valletta, Malta. It consists of three bronze figures symbolizing
Faith, Fortitude, and Civilization, standing on top of a granite base. The
monument is the work of the sculptor Antonio Sciortino, and it was inaugurated
on 8 May 1927.

Education
Malta's educational system is divided into four stages: pre-primary (ages 3–5),
primary (ages 5–11), secondary (ages 11–16) and tertiary.

In Malta, kindergartens and primary schools are free-of-charge, state schools

provide free textbooks which covers Maltese, English, Mathematics, Science,
Social Studies and Religion books.

The Government of Malta is obligated to provide free university education to

eligible residents with sufficient qualifications to entry. However, due to
funding constraints, the University of Malta offers some courses only every
other year in order to maximize course offerings with optimum funding usage.

Religion
Agnosticism is the view that the existence of God, of the divine or
the supernatural is unknown or unknowable. Another definition provided is the
view that "human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to
justify either the belief that God exists or the belief that God does not exist.

Cuisine
Lampuki is the Maltese name for mahi-mahi, a mild, delicious white fish that forms
the heart of a dish that hints at English cooking. Lampuki Pie is a fish (mahi-mahi) pie
with some Arabic flavours (mint, lemon peel and raisins), and Italian verve (tomatoes,
olives, capers).

Maltese Bragioli also known as beef olives, are slowly braised beef stuffed
with hard boiled eggs, sliced bacons, and stale breads.  The term olive is a bit
confusing as there are no olives in this dish. It turns out they got their name
because they are stuffed and somewhat resemble the shape of an olive when
cooked.

Kapunata is one of Malta’s most famous dishes. It’s the Maltese version of the
Sicilian Caponata, which is similar to the French Ratatouille. It consists of a
stew of vegetables, flavored with savory olives and capers.

Currency
Back in 2006, the public was given several options, which were voted on in
some manner. The first and second most popular suggestions made by the
public were the Maltese cross and Dun Karm, respectively on the Maltese euro
coin set. The Steering Committee for the adoption of the euro ultimately
decided to include the most popular suggestion, the Maltese Cross, the Coat of
arms of Malta and the Mnajdra Temples and Dun Karm.
During the phase, running from 29 May until 9 June 2006, the public was asked
to choose the actual designs for the euro coins from the four mock ups produced
by the designer. The three designs with the highest number of votes would then
become the final design for the Maltese face of the euro coin set.
The results were Maltese cross, followed by the Coat of arms of Malta and
the Mnajdra Temples.

Għajn Tuffieħa
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is a red beach a short distance south of Golden Bay. It is
quieter than Golden Bay and often visited by the Maltese themselves, as well as
tourist visitors. In order to reach this beach, we need to descend a hill on a
staircase of 200 steps. On top of the cliffs west of Għajn Tuffieħa bay, there is
an old defense tower built in 1637. It is one of the seven towers built by Grand
Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, of the Knights Hospitaller.

Gozo
Gozo covers 67 square kilometres, approximately the same area as New York
City's Manhattan island.
Gozo is known for its "Karnival" (carnival). Feasts, known as 'Festi' are
important traditions on the island and are held in honour of the patron saint of
each village throughout the summer months. The celebrations include religious
ceremonies, fireworks and live band music and some feature horse racing,
concerts and in the seaside village of Xlendi, a highlight is a greasy pole
competition over the water.