Malta

According to ALLCITYCODES.COM, Malta is an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea with an area code of +356. It consists of three islands; Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The capital city of Malta is Valletta and the largest city is Birkirkara. The population of Malta is estimated to be around 475,000 people. The official language of Malta is Maltese but English is also widely spoken and both languages are taught in schools. The population of Malta is predominantly Roman Catholic with over 98% practicing it while other religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are also practiced by a small portion of the population. Malta has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters which makes it a popular tourist destination all year round. Agriculture forms an important part of the economy as most people are involved in subsistence farming or herding livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens. Fishing also plays a role in the economy due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Tourism has been growing steadily over recent years due to its many attractions like historical sites like Valletta, Mdina and Rabat as well as its cultural diversity which includes various festivals throughout the year that attract tourists from all over the world every year. Malta is a parliamentary republic, with a unicameral House of Representatives as its legislative body. The President of Malta is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. He or she appoints the Prime Minister from the elected members of Parliament, who then forms his or her Cabinet. The Prime Minister is responsible for leading the government and appointing other ministers. All government ministers are accountable to Parliament and must resign if they lose a vote of confidence. The judiciary is independent from both executive and legislative branches. Malta has had universal suffrage since 1947, with full voting rights granted to women in 1955. Elections are held every five years, with all citizens aged 18 or over entitled to vote. PETSINCLUDE: Features public policy of Malta.