Malta: flag, capital, currency and history
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a country in Southern Europe, Europe. Its capital is Valletta. The currency is the Euro. Languages spoken include English and Maltese.
Quick facts about Malta
Flag of Malta
Download the flag of Malta as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇲🇹.
History of Malta
Malta has some of the oldest known free-standing stone temples in the world, built by Neolithic farmers around 3600 BC. The islands were later settled by Phoenicians and ruled by Carthage and Rome, and in 870 AD by Arabs. Normans took Malta in 1091. The Knights of St John ruled from 1530 and withstood the Great Siege of 1565. France seized the islands in 1798, and Britain took control in 1800, formalised in 1814. Malta became independent on 21 September 1964 and a republic in 1974, and it joined the European Union in 2004.
Key dates
- c. 3600 BCNeolithic builders construct the Ggantija temples on Gozo.
- 218 BCMalta comes under Roman control during the Second Punic War.
- 1091The Normans under Roger I take control of Malta.
- 1530The Knights of St John take possession of Malta.
- 1565The Knights repel the Ottoman Great Siege.
- 1814Britain's possession of Malta is confirmed by the Treaty of Paris.
- 1964Malta gains independence on 21 September.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Malta
Malta uses the Euro (EUR, €). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Malta?
The capital of Malta is Valletta.
What currency does Malta use?
Malta uses the Euro (EUR, symbol €).
What languages are spoken in Malta?
Languages used in Malta include English and Maltese.
What is the calling code of Malta?
The international calling code of Malta is +356. Its internet domain is .mt.
Which countries border Malta?
Malta has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Malta?
Malta is in Europe, in the region of Southern Europe.
What is the national day of Malta?
Malta marks Independence Day on September 21.
More countries in Southern Europe
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).