Geographic Location
Republic of Malta is an European country located under the Sicily (≈ 100km). It's an archipelago made up of 3 principal islands :
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- Malta
- Gozo
- Comino
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Valetta, the capital, is based on Malta, the biggest island of the country. Moreover it's the smallest country of European Union (surface area of ≈ 316km² with a population of ≈ 450 000).
Malta :
≈ 27km long
≈ 14.5km wide
≈ 410 000 habitants
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Gozo :
≈ 14km long
≈ 7.25km wide
≈ 40 000 habitants
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Comino :
≈ 3.5km² of surface area
First Impressions
When I arrived in Malta my first impressions was good. Firstly, from the plane, I had a really beautiful view of all the country. Then, outside the airport, there were many palms. But after having taken the taxi to reach my new home, my opinion has changed. In fact, in this part of the island, there are buildings everywhere.
Here is a view from my balcony. There is just some greenery but behind that only buildings. I don't really like the architecture of this country. In fact I think it's really dull and disorderly. But it's important to not stay on these first impressions. There are many beautiful things to see in Malta and know that my opinion was really better the next day. I will show you the amazing places of this country.
L-lmsida
Malta is a really small country so, at the beginning, I thought that the differentes places were just districts. However I was wrong. In fact L-lmsida, the place when I'm living, is a city. On the picture you can see the difference of the size between Valletta, the capital, and L-lmsida. There are about 9 000 habitants in this city (≈ 7 000 in Valletta). Near our flat there is the biggest hospital of this country so it's quite noisy.
Culture
Traditions
Malta is a really Catholic country so many traditions come from the religion. About 90% of the Maltese population practise the Catholicism so the religious festivals are really appreciated.
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Baptism :
Firstly the majority of the babies are baptized. This baptism is generally a reunion with family, close friends and obviously many things to eat.
Il-quċċija :
This tradition, little known by the other countries is also a religious one. For the first birthday of a baby a party is organized by the family and close friends. The aim of this tradition is to determine the baby's future job. For that they arrange many articles in front of him and he has to choose one of them.
Each object has a significance. For example if he takes a rosary he will probably become a priest, if it's a pen he would be a writer, a calculator to become a mathematician etc.
Weddings :
For the Maltese people, the weddings is really important. Althought this celebration looks like to the french ones (ceremony in the church and party in wedding hall or gardens), this union seems more sacred. In fact the divorces are uncommons even if, currently, the number is more important with the new generation and mentalities.
Medieval Parties :
The medieval period is a really important one in the Maltese history. In fact, after the Crusades, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem arrived in Malta. Their role was to defend the island against the Ottomans Turkish. The knights of Malta fought during many years.
To remember this period the Maltese population organize every year some festivals (for example in Mdina).
Parties
Paceville :
Besides the traditional and religious festivals, Malta is really famous for its nightlife, obviously because of the many tourists. The most famous place to go out at night is Paceville, district of San Giljan. This place is perfect to go out with your friends or your family. Indeed there are a little beach, many bars, night clubs and restaurants. You can find cheap or really classy places. However, as all the spots like that, there are many problems and thefts.
Paceville is probably the most cosmopolitan place where I have never been. The majority of people are French, Italian and Spanish. There are not many Maltese in this district.
Sliema :
Other places are really perfect to do parties. In Sliema, one of the biggest cities of Malta, you can find many bars and nights clubs with pools, and that, in front of the sea. There are kind of beachs, not with sand but with big flat rocks so that's perfectly adapted to do barbecues or pick-nick.
Cafe Del Mar :
Cafe Del Mar is probably the most famous bar of Malta. You have to pay to enter in this place, except sunday. Many big parties are organized thanks to really important partners as Coca Cola or MTV. Some of best DJs as Bob Sinclar have played in this bar.
Life & Work Habits
Life Habits :
In my flat, I'm living with French, Polish and Italian people, only my owners are Maltese so it's not really easy to know their life habits. They are about 60 years old and they are staying most of the time in the flat so I don't have a general opinion on this point. In addition, during the weekends I go out with colleagues and, again, they are not Maltese (Polish, Venezuelan, Spanish, Libyan, French). However when they are not working they seem to enjoy the sun (on the beachs, terraces etc).
Work Habits :
The work schedules depend to the professional status of the person. In my company, AQS Med Ltd., both of my bosses start at 8am or 9am while the engineers and interns at 10am. So the lunch time is at 1pm or 2pm. In addition, because of the really hot weather, most people are not wearing suits, just polo or shirt with a pant. But generally the work habits are similar to the French ones. For example for a birthday or a special occasion someone bring some food for the other employees.
Work Organization :
About the work organization I have just my company and the Quentin one as references. To my mind it's a bit disorganized. For example in AQS Med Ltd. you can work on many things in the same time, for different people and you don't really know what is the most important one. I think the organization is not perfect because they are working on a lot a projects, for just some employees.
Professional & Social Relationships
Social Relationship :
There are many people of different nationalities in Malta and it's for me the best point of this country. Indeed, during this season, a lot of foreigners are here for an internship or holidays so you can easily make new friends. About the Maltese people they are generally really welcoming and sympathetic.
Work Relationship :
I saw several interviews between my colleagues and clients and all the time the atmosphere was relaxed. I don't know if, during these interviews, they were negotiating but probably for negotiations they are more distant.
In addition, as I said before, I'm working with a Spanish, Libyan, Polish, Venezuelan and two Maltese so it's perfect to discover new cultures and obviously to acclimate myself with the different accents.
Economy
Dynamic Economy
Malta is one of the most dynamic economy in the European Union. Its growth was 4.75% on average between 2010 - 2015. and 4% in 2016. In addition the unemployement rate is really low compared with the European average (about 5.2% in 2016 and 11% for the young people).
Malta shows a confortable current account surplus​es. Indeed this country, in view of its lack of natural ressources and an emerging industrialization, is traditionally suffering from a negative trade balance (-1.3bn in 2015). Malta is compensating its disability with a positive payments balance. The balance surplus is continually increasing (+0.9bn in 2015) thanks to the tourism revenues, the maritime transports and the financial services.
Tourism, Maritime and Financial Sectors
The services represent 80% of the GNP and three sectors are particularly important :
Maritime Services :
Malta is the 6th country in terms of registered ships. This country has four different harbours : the traditional Grand Harbour of Valletta, a marina located in the west bay, another harbour in Gozo and a last one, the Malta Freeport located in the southeast and adapted to the high-capacity ships. Malta Freeport is the most important Mediterrean containers harbour and the 8th in the world. It's a major center to transship the goods and to fuel the ships.
Tourism :
Malta is one of the most touristic place in European Union​. About two million people were coming in 2016. The most common tourists are British (30%). French people are fourth and represent 7% of the tourists (behind Italy and Germany).
Financial Services :
Besides the financial, banking, insurance services and investment funds of its own domestic economy, Malta is providing other financial services for foreigners (for example the fifteen international banks or many insurance companies).
In addition this archipelago has a really advantageous taxation. Initially, the coporate income taxes are 35% but old rules and laws, dating from before the UE accession, allow a really low taxation about 5%.