M alta is an independent Mediterranean republic, which is located on several islands. The population of M alta calls their country a toy, because so many people, history and extraordinary beauty of nature fit on just three residential islands of a small area.
Briefly about the geography of the islands
The M altese archipelago is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. These are three large and several small islands that are part of the country's territory. The largest of them are Comino, Gozo and, of course, M alta. The latter is the largest island of the entire archipelago, and about 80% of the country's inhabitants are concentrated on it, as well as all major cities: Valletta - the capital of the republic, Zeytun, Sliema and others.
The history of their country leaves a huge imprint on any nation, and the population of M alta was no exception.
History of the formation of statehood
The country originates from the epicenter of the birth of world civilizations. Today, historians have managed to find out that the first inhabitants of the islands were engaged in weaving, agriculture and animal breeding.
Butabout 2 thousand years ago, the habitual way of life of the ancient M altese was completely destroyed: in the 12th century BC, M alta was colonized by the Phoenicians, and in the sixth century the country submitted to Carthage. Later, the Roman Empire conquered it, and after its fall, the lands went to Byzantium.
Arab culture has had a powerful influence on the life and development of the inhabitants of M alta. But in 1090, the Normans captured the M altese lands, which turned the development of the country into a European direction, and then, in 1282, Spain came to power.
Further, until the 15th century, the island developed: many craft workshops appeared on it, cotton and wheat were grown on the lands. The island became a major trading center in Europe. But after M alta was in the middle of the endless wars of Europe and Africa. The economy and economy of the M altese lands quickly fell into decay.
Salvation came in 1530, when the Knights Hospitaller created their fortification on the island. In 1798, the order surrendered it under the onslaught of Napoleon's army. The population of M alta did not accept the French and revolted. The inhabitants were helped by Britain, which deployed its military garrison on the lands in 1800.
All historical changes related to the well-being of the population of M alta are clearly reflected in the growth graph of its population (changes in the demographic situation), which is presented below in the corresponding section.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the inhabitants rebelled against the colonial regime, but Great Britain suppressed it. Nevertheless, already in 1921, the inhabitants achieved a limitedself.
World War II did not bypass this small part of the globe.
The M altese withstood all the blows, and in 1942, for heroism and fearlessness, the King of Great Britain presented the country with the highest award - the Order of St. George.
The post-war period also did not give a rest to the inhabitants of the country. An active political struggle flared up over the issue of the independence of M alta. And in 1964 the country was recognized as an independent republic.
Ethnic composition of the population and languages
The official languages of the country are English and, of course, M altese. The population of M alta today actively uses both of them on an equal level. A large number of residents are also fluent in French and Spanish.
The composition of the citizens of the island state is almost homogeneous: 95% of the entire country are indigenous M altese, more than 97% of whom preach Catholicism. A small number of Britons also live in the state (about 2% of the inhabitants), the remaining percentage is accounted for by Spaniards, French, Italians, Arabs and immigrants from some other countries.
Today, many immigrants from Africa come to M alta, who dream of getting further to Central Europe through this small country. Especially among immigrants, the number of residents of Egypt, Libya and Morocco is increasing.
Indigenous people of M alta are easy to distinguish from tourists and visitors: they are swarthy, small in stature, with distinctive facial features. This is verysmiling and sociable people. Their mixed M altese and English is difficult to understand for an unaccustomed tourist, but among themselves they understand each other well, even speaking a mixture of several languages. Migrants who plan to live on the islands for a long time adapt very quickly to the speech of the indigenous population.
Population
Today's statistics claim that M alta is the country with the smallest number of inhabitants among the entire European Union. Indeed, what else can be expected from the three islands of such a small state as M alta? The population according to the data for 2015 was about 419 thousand inhabitants. This is comparable to the population of Orenburg, while the area of the Russian city is only 50 km22 smaller than M alta.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the population of M alta in 2016 is 420,792 people. Of these, 208,794 men and 211,998 women, which is approximately equal to 1:1. The natural increase for forty years amounted to about 100 thousand people. Although, on average, the population increases by only 0.5% per year. Most of the people live in the largest cities of the country:
- Birkirkara (about 21 thousand inhabitants);
- Valletta (about 19 thousand citizens);
- Quormi (approximately 19,000 people).
The distribution of residents by age at the beginning of 2016 was 15.7% of people under 15 years old, the main part of 68.5% is the working population from 15 to 65 years old, and 15.8% of residents over 65 years old.
Despitesmall population, the country has a high density.
Population density
According to 2015 data, the population density of M alta is 1,432 people per square kilometer. At the same time, the state has a small area, and therefore is among the five most densely populated countries in the world. The leaders in this list are Monaco (almost 18.7 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer), Singapore (more than 7 thousand people), the Vatican (1.9 thousand) and Bahrain (1.7 thousand people).
The main part of the population is concentrated in the eastern part of the main island - M alta. Comino Island is practically uninhabited, officially registered residents of the island are no more than 15 people. Mostly farms are located on it. Just over 31,000 people live in Gozo, most of whom are urban and live in the city of Victoria.
Demographics
Today's statistics point to the rapid aging of the inhabitants that make up the population of M alta. As of 2016, the pension burden ratio in M alta was 23%. This is the ratio of the number of people of retirement age to the number of people of working age. It is the able-bodied people who so far relieve the burden on the economy and society, and the aging of the population is not so conspicuous. The working-age population of M alta in 2016 is fifty-four percent.
The general demographic situation of M alta is shown in the chart below. Thus, it can be seen that the population as a whole began to actively increase after 1975, at the moment a positive trend also remains. ButNow the proportion of residents in middle and old age has increased significantly. The situation is typical for most developed countries: USA, European Union countries, Australia, Japan.
The average life expectancy of the M altese is about 80 years, which is 9 years higher than the general world statistics. At the same time, women live longer, their average life expectancy is 82 years, while for men the indicator is at the level of 77.5 years.
Literacy of population
Inhabitants of the country are literate, 94 percent of the able-bodied population can read and write. This corresponds to the general level of literacy of the population in developed countries, which is M alta. Educated men on the islands are about 92%, and women - 95%. If we talk exclusively about the modern youth of M alta, their literacy is kept at the level of 99% and covers residents from 15 to 24 years old. However, given the aging of the nation, the young population is mainly made up of visiting students from other EU countries.
How tourists affect population
Tourism makes up over 70% of M alta's economy. The number of people wishing to visit the country is steadily increasing year by year. The islands are especially popular with British and European retired tourists. Students also flock here, as the country has long won the right to be one of the largest centers for learning English in the world.
M alta also attracts labor force as the country hosts several important technical industries (frommicrochip development to aircraft designs). Beautiful landscapes attract photographers, cameramen and those who simply want to enjoy the nature of the republic.
A lot of tourists come to the country, and in the summer the number of people in M alta increases by an average of one million.
Interesting fact about M altese citizenship
M alta is interesting not only for its sights and beaches. First of all, of course, the country is notable for its inhabitants and unique culture, as well as magnificent nature. Residents of the republic are granted the right to receive high-quality higher education and highly professional medical care free of charge. Corruption in the country is not developed. All this attracts an additional number of migrants who wish to stay in M alta for a long time.
Recently, the islands have the opportunity to acquire citizenship. The cost of the service is about 650 thousand euros. At the same time, all the rights of EU citizens remain unchanged, even if citizenship is bought.
In addition, a foreigner can obtain citizenship of a calm and safe M alta with a high level of education (according to the English system) and medical care under the investment development program: by making a contribution to the National Development Fund of the state.
In conclusion
M alta is a small, but such a cozy country, with a rich history and many historical sights. The population of the republic is small, the population of M alta in 2016 is only 420,792 inhabitants. The population density of the islands at the same time is 1225 people per square meter. In the previous year, 2015, the figure was 1432 inhabitants.
The republic does not produce minerals, and the country receives its main income from tourists. Any guest who comes to M alta for the first time will be interested in visiting both the museums, theaters and cathedrals of Valletta, as well as the blue grottoes, gardens and parks of this independent republic.
