Malta, Europe

by:maria luna :)

Map of Malta

landforms

malta consists of a rocky, low-lying plateau with a limestone escarpment running from east to northeast. bays, creeks, and coves run into the coast between the formations. deepwaters harbors exist on the eastern shore.

landforms

  (continued) alot of maltese terrain is made up of blue clay. Gozoz which contains many caves in its' interior is 27 miles around and more fertile than its' larger neighbor malta.

climate

the islands have a mostly mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and short cool winters. majjistral, gregale, and sirocco are winds that are also present in that area. humidity is high in malta and in summer its' arid.

natural resource

malta is very low on natural resource and is mostly dependant on imported fossils fuel to meet its energy needs. the countries electricity is now produced through the burning of oil and gas. the only minerals mined in malta are salt and golden limestone, which is used domestically as building stone.

environment

topsoil is thin and not very fertile, and water resource is precious. maltas water comes from underground tables or desalination plants. malta has many species of birds. the ghadira pool reserve is an important and protected wetland. malta is eco-friendly and supports eco-friendly.

history

malta was an ancient civilization and now occupied island. well mostly from the 1000bc -1936 it was wanted by several countries and organizations because of the location in the mediterrean. malta survived the ww1 and ww2 and is now helping uk with economic aid and military cooperation.

contemporary issues

lack of fresh water rising ocean level and decreasing rainfal is hurting. the number of african immagrants tripled since tiny nation joined. in privatization is to shore up economy and encourage foreign investment leads with resistants too. these are three of the main issues.

people

it's a synthesis of meditterean culture. with important minority formed by british. beginning in 800 BC the Phoenicians, and followed by the Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs arrived. roman catholic church is dominant to malta.   

food

 pastas and pastries are used to encase all food. many maltese dishes are stewed very slowly. an example recipe(mahi-mahi) pie encloses fish with spinach, cauliflower, chestnuts, and raisins. other dishes are made from meditterean vegetables.                          lampuki (mahi mahi) pie image 

holiday

 September 21, 1964 malta won independance from britain. feast of saint paul's shipwreck remembered when apostle paul landed on malta from storm. freedom day in 1979 when britsh military left. Malta's salvation from two sieges is commemorated by our lady of victories day. international choir festival is a choir competition in europe.

arts

Literature, and especially poetry, has been the art that best reveals the Maltese search for an independent identity. an example would be Gian Anton Vassallo who was a 19th century poet whose work opened this search.   

landmarks

malta is the site of the world's oldest temples dating back to the fourth and third millenium BC. carvings of animals, stone idols, altars, and screens remain standing at Tarxien. malta holds many precious statues.

government

malta's government is constitution, executive, legislature, judiciary, and local government (only local government pertains to the island of Gozo, which is administered by an elected Civic Council and a federally appointed commissioner.)

traditions

  in every town or village you will find at least one church. the Maltese people spend half of the year celebrating their saints, and especially in the summer periods you will surely find a feast in a town or village in Malta.

etiquette

maltese culture defines correct behavier and comportmnet in a variety of ways depending on status, familiarity, age , and social connections. they range from reserved and courtly to warm and expressive.

(article summary) guido de marco

Guido De Marco has lived in malta and had great achievements in his many careers.  a professor at the University of Malta, a member of the house of representatives and malta's president from April 1999 to April 2004.

facts and figures

Land-based Telephones in Use241,100 (2008)Mobile Telephone Subscribers385,600 (2008)Major Daily Newspapers8 (2004)Population406,771 (estimate) (2009)

citation credits

"Malta: Arts and Landmarks." World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 7 Feb. 2011. google lampuki pie image "Malta: People." World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 7 Feb. 2011.  "Political Map." Map. World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 7 Feb. 2011.