About Malta
Introduction
The Maltese archipelago consists of three main Islands, namely, Malta (240 sq. kms), Gozo (67 sq. kms) and Comino (2 sq. kms) with a total population of around 400, 000.
Malta and its sister islands have been inhabited for the past 10,000 years. The Phoenicians were the first settlers to come to Malta in the ninth century BC, followed by the Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Swabian & Angevin dynasties, Aragonese, Spanish, French and finally the British. Malta gained its independence in 1964.
Malta has plenty to offer to anyone choosing to visit the Islands. Besides the crystal clear waters and year-round sunshine, two of the main reasons that make Malta such a popular vacation destination, the Islands have various other features that make it attractive not only to visit and explore but also to take up residence on.
Malta's extraordinary archaeological and architectural heritage act are inducive enough on their own, providing the perfect setting for a host of activities. The legacy of the various powers that ruled over the islands through the ages can be seen, felt and savoured in the present day.
Whether one seeks action or relaxation, tranquility or excitement, one can find it in Malta. For lovers of
Mediterranean cuisine, nightlife, music, theatre and the arts, Malta boasts a variety of venues that cater for such entertainment. There are restaurants situated in all areas (serving typical Maltese Cuisine and other Mediterranean dishes), central nightlife areas with live music to suit all tastes, discotheques, bars, brasseries, pubs, and an abundant calendar of cultural manifestations and events. For the sportive visitor, the islands offer golf, tennis, sky-diving, horse-riding, and unlimited possibilities for water-sports - from sailing to windsurfing and the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean.
Maltese is the national language on the islands; however, English is also widely spoken making Malta a popular destination with tourists as this greatly reduces language barrier problems. Italian is also spoken by a great majority of the population due to the Islands' proximity to Italy.
Coming to Malta
By Air
It takes about two or three hours to get to Malta by air from most European cities. There are frequent and direct flights to Malta from all major European cities including London, Rome, Paris, 
Frankfurt, Brussels, Geneva, Athens, Amsterdam, Madrid and Vienna among others. There are also other regular flights from other destinations in Europe as well as from North Africa and the Middle East.
The scheduled flights to Malta are operated by: Air Malta, Swissair, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Transavia, Egyptair, Balkan Airlines, Aeroflot, British Airways, Tuninter, Corsair, Condorflug and LTU/LTU Sud.
By Sea
A high-speed catamaran operates a service from Licata, Catania and Pozzallo to Malta. The service is operated daily between June and September, decreasing to three times weekly between October and May. The approximate length of the journey is three hours to Catania and slightly less to Pozzallo.
Malta can also be reached by sea three times a week from Syracuse, Catania and Reggio Calabria and via a weekly crossing from Naples by Italian ferries.
Passport & Visa Regulations
Entry visas are not required - for stays of up to three months for holidays or unpaid trips - by 
nationals of the European Community. Nationals of countries that require a visa to enter Malta should obtain this from the Maltese Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries. Where neither is available, a written request should be made to the Commissioner of Police, Police Headquarters, Floriana. Fax: +356 2124 7777 and/or +356 21235308.
Customs
Personal belongings and clothing intended for personal use are not liable to duty. The duty-free allowance for adults is 200 cigarettes or the equivalent in cigars or tobacco, one bottle of spirits and one bottle of wine and a reasonable quantity of perfumery items.
General Information
Banks
Usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays 
and until 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Foreign exchange facilities are available at the Airport on a 24-hour basis, all year round and up to about 4:00 p.m. at most banks. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are situated in the major commercial and tourist areas.
Time
Malta follows Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and six hours ahead of North American Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Electricity
Electricity runs on 240 volts, single phase, 50Hz cycle. The square-fitting standard three pin British-style plugs and sockets are used and visitors should obtain conversion plugs at their local hardware, electrical, or travel goods stores.
Water
Tap water is safe for drinking however bottled water is often preferred due to the desalinization process that tap water goes through.
Religion
Malta is predominantly Roman Catholic, but the Maltese Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. There are also places of worship belonging to various other religious denominations.
Language
The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Maltese is a semitic language written in the Roman script comprising a vast element of words in Italian, French and English origin. The majority of Maltese speak English, whilst Italian is also widely spoken.
Beach Facilities
There are numerous sandy beaches, especially in the northern part of the island, the best known being Mellieha Bay, Golden Sands and Armier. In the south, the best sandy beach is Pretty Bay
in the village of Birzebbugia. Ramla Bay is another popular beach situated in Gozo and renowned for its beautiful red sand. Rock bathing is possible at most other beach sites.
Bathing is safe anywhere around the island as there are no tides; however, it is always best to stick to areas where locals swim. Sea temperatures average 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer. Beach facilities in the high season, between March and October, include bars, restaurants, changing rooms, showers and umbrella/deckchair rentals. On some beaches, it is also possible to rent speed boats, dinghies, row boats, water skis, surfboards, and generally any other item typically associated with this environment.
Medical Care
Malta enjoys a high standard of medical care. The general hospital, St Luke's Hospital, is in Guardamangia, but there are government health clinics in various towns. The brand new general hospital is Mater Dei Hospital located in Msida opened its doors in 2007.
Persons who are receiving medical treatment and who may need to carry medicines into Malta or purchase fresh supplies locally would be well advised to equip themselves with a letter of introduction from their doctor.
Malta has special clinics for diabetes sufferers and pharmacies generally stock a wide range of diabetic products.
Shopping
Shops are usually open between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The three hour break is the Maltese siesta time. In commercial areas frequented by tourists, however, several shops remain open until approximately 10:00 p.m. Supermarkets tend to open earlier at about 7:30 a.m. Shops are not normally open on Sundays and public holidays. There are open-air markets, one day a week in most towns and villages. The largest is the Valletta market on Sunday mornings.
Major credit cards, travellers’ cheques and Eurocheques are accepted in most leading shops and restaurants.
Quarantine and Importation of Animals
Importation of healthy pets is allowed after approval from the competent authorities. The pets may however first be kept in quarantine for a short period of time.
Any dog/cat imported into Malta must have an import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Service prior to import. It is advisable to apply 6 weeks prior to import to allow for vaccination and resting beforehand.
No Pit Bull Terriers or crosses may be imported into Malta, otherwise a cat or dog must have a certificate issued by the government veterinary service, declaring that the country of origin has been free of rabies for six months before the departure of the pet. The certificate must also declare that the country of origin has an official policy for the strict control of animal importation. Furthermore, if a cat or dog originates from a non-free rabies country, it has to be certified that it originates from an area free of rabies.
The animal must also have a veterinary health certificate issued by a recognised veterinarian, just before travelling to Malta, stating that the cat or dog is healthy and shows no evidence of clinical disease or parasitic infection, and that it has been vaccinated against rabies by an inactivated vaccine not less than 30 days and no more than six months before export. The animal has to be consigned to Malta directly from the country of origin either by air or ship securely crated as freight so that it appears on the cargo manifest.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Veterinary Service (Telephone: +356 2123 9968 or +356 2122 5930) in Malta must be notified of the exact date of the animal's arrival at least one week before and also whether the animal will be accompanied or not. Call the Quarantine Station on +356 2124 4236 with flight or vessel details.
The importation of animals is only allowed during office hours - 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Animals will not be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
Cats and dogs imported from the United Kingdom are quarantined at the Small Animal Quarantine Section at Luqa for three weeks, from other countries the quarantine period can be up to six months. An import licence, from the Department of Trade, and an entry form (Number 2) from the Customs Department must be completed before the release of the cat or dog from quarantine.
Make sure one gets all information and that correct papers and tests (blood) are prepared before arrival in Malta to avoid any disappointment.
You may call the Director of Veterinary Service for further information:
Director of Veterinary Service, Albertown, Marsa Tel: (+356) 2122 5638 / 2122 5930, Fax: (+356) 2123 8105
