3. In recent years, Malta has become one of Europe’s most popular film and television
locations. The Maltese Islands, their beautiful, unspoiled coastlines and breathtaking
architecture have been home to several blockbusters such as Gladiator, The Count of
Monte Cristo, Troy and Munich as well as prestigious dramas and sitcoms such as the
BBC’s Byron and ITV’s Coronation Street, and more recently the TV series Game of
Thrones.
4. Malta is not one island, as most people think, but five. English, which is the official
language, is spoken by almost all Maltese people. Another official language is Maltese, a
dialect of Arabic, which is written in the Latin alphabet. Today, Malta fully understands
the importance of its position between Europe and the Middle East. Besides speaking
European languages such as English and Italian, many Maltese also speak Arabic.
5. Malta has no rivers or lakes. Many rely on rain, which does not come every summer,
and causes floods in winter. If you’re in Malta during the summer months, there’s no need
for an umbrella. But come in October and the islands are flooded with rain. Shortage of
water has stimulated the building of special factories that remove salt from the sea water.
Nowadays they provide more than half of the country’s freshwater needs. Officially, the
tap water is safe to drink in Malta, but it tastes awful.
6. The Maltese capital, Valletta, is often called a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. It
was created by the Knights of Malta and is perhaps Malta’s greatest treasure. Impressive
fortifications surround the city to this day. Valletta is famous for its narrow streets,
churches, palaces, museums and baroque buildings. According to UNESCO, this
magnificent city is one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world.
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