English Schools Malta

The Maltese Islands, which consist of Malta (the largest of the Islands), Gozo, Comino and two other small uninhabited islands, are strategically situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is 93 kilometres from Sicily and 288 kilometres from North Africa due South. A series of low hills with terraced fields on the slopes characterize the Islands. The coastline of Malta is well indented with natural deep harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. The island possess a wealth of history and culture which surpass its diminutive size. Excavations indicated the existence of an advanced culture dating from 4000 BC. Due to its strategic position and excellent natural harbours, Malta has always attracted the attention of maritime powers. The harbours provided a sheltered base for naval fleets, whilst the island itself, situated at the cross-roads of the Mediterranean, enabled its colonizing power to exercise control over shipping in this vast and turbulent sea. Control over Malta was a prerequisite to dominion over the Mediterranean and for this reason all the various powers that, at one time or other, held sway over the Mediterranean at that same time exercised control over Malta. The long list of Malta’s colonizers, The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Norman’s, Castilians, Knights of St. John, the French and finally, the British, is indicative to the important role Malta played in the moulding of European and Mediterranean history. The Maltese love festivities and through their religious culture one can witness colourful celebrations throughout the seasons. Their Characteristic joviality springs mainly from the agreeable, sunny, warm Mediterranean climate.  Malta became a member of the European Union on 1st May 2004.

Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea and has a typical Mediterranean flavour. Winters are mild with rare occurrences of cold weather brought by north and north-east winds from Central Europe. Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-Time temperature in Summer are often cooling by sea breezes, but in spring and autumn, a very hot wind from Africa occasionally brings unpleasant high temperatures. This is scirocco, which also affects Greece and Italy; in Malta the air is usually rather drier because of the short sea track from the African coasts. Annual rainfall in the Maltese Islands is low - averaging 578mm a year - and the length of the dry season in summer is longer than in Southern Italy. The Islands have a very sunny climate with a daily average of five to six hours of sunshine in mid-Winter and more than 12 hours a day in Summer..

The weather in Malta today is:

The Malta International Airport is only 10 kms from Valletta, went into commercial services on February 1992, replacing Luqa International. With the commissioning of the new terminal, Malta’s Airport was renamed Malta International Airport (IATA airport code is MLA, ICAO code LMML). Facilities at MIA (land side) include - Airline ticketing office, baby care rooms,   bank,   three  cafeterias,  car  hire  offices,   chapel,

drugstore, information counter, florist, international telephone/fax/telex service, news agent, post office, restaurant, tourist information counter and a viewing gallery. Facilities of MIA (air side) include - Baby care facilities, bar/cafeteria, duty free shops - arrivals and departure halls, restaurant, two VIP/executive lounges, the Europa Lounge is operated by AirMalta, whilst La Valletta Executive Lounge is run by the Terminal Operating Company - Malta International Airport Ltd.  The National carrier of Malta is AirMalta. currently has a fleet of 13 aircraft.

These include 4 Airbus A320-200, 7 Boeing 737-300 and 2 Boeing 737-200A. Malta Air Charters, an AirMalta subsidiary, operates a scheduled helicopter service between Malta and Gozo. Most of the major airlines operate scheduled service to Malta, including Aeroflot, Alitalia, British Airways,  Condor, Lufthansa. A number of other airlines operate charter services to Malta. One of our associated companies, Worldwide  Airlines  Representative Ltd offers ground handling services to many Airlines operating to Malta.

The Gozo Channel Company operates a Ro-Ro Services from Cirkewwa and San Maison in Malta to Mgarr, Gozo. A regular helicopter service from Malta International Airport to Xewkija in Gozo. Several companies operate services that link Malta with mainland Italy, Sicily and Tunisia. Available are Ro-Ro and high speed catamaran frequencies.

ACCOMMODATION The Maltese Islands offer varied accommodation in Hotels, Holiday Complexes, Tourist Villages, Guest Houses and in Self-catering villages and apartments. These are classified - by the Hotels and Catering Establishments Board (HCEB) - according to internationally accepted standards, and are obliged to exhibit their certificate confirming their designated classification.

BEACHES There are several sandy beaches, especially on the North of Malta; the best are Mellieha Bay, Golden Sands, Ghajn Tuffieha and Paradise Bay. In the South, the best sandy beach is Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia. In Gozo Ramla Bay stands out for its beautiful red sand. Rock bathing is possible at almost all other beach sites. The sea temperature averages 22.80 in summer.

CHEMISTS These are found throughout the Island and are open during normal shopping hours. On Sundays chemists open by rotation from 0900 to 1200hrs; check Sunday Newspapers.

CURRENCY The Malta Lira (Lm) is divided into 100 cents ( c ) and each cents divided into 10mils (m). Coins: 1c, 2c, 10c, 25c, 50c, Lm1. Notes: Lm2, Lm5, Lm10, Lm20.

DRIVING  Driving is on the left. There is a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour (kph) 50 miles per hour (mph) on highways, and 50 kph (30 miles) in urban areas Third party insurance is advisable. International and national driving licenses are acceptable.

ELECTRICITY  The electoral supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycles. The 13 amp, three-pin rectangular sockets are used in Malta.

Entry Visas are not required for stays up to three months for most countries, for holidays and business trips. Nationals of countries that require a Visa to enter Malta should obtain these from a Maltese Embassy, Consulate or in some cases through our school. Where neither is available, a written request should be made to the Commissioner of Police.  Our company also provides VISA application service.

For more information about VISA regulations and  nationalities who do need VISA to enter Malta  click here VISA Regulations.  To view or print a copy of this form click here for VISA Application form in English and French.

The Government is Independent, constitutional Republic.  The President is the Head of State though his role is essential ceremonial as executive power lies with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. Sixty five members sit in the House of Representative, Malta’s parliament, housed in the Grand Master’s Palace.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE Travellers do not require normally certificate of vaccination or inoculation to enter the Maltese Islands. However. Smallpox and cholera vaccination certificates are required if arriving from an infected area. Yellow fever immunization is needed for travellers arriving within six day s of leaving an infected area. There is one general hospital in Malta - Luke’s at G’Mangia and one in Gozo - Craig Hospital in Victoria. There are also Government Health Clinics in several towns and villages.

LANGUAGE Maltese and English are the official languages of Malta. Italian is also widely spoken and an increasing number speak German and French.

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS  Malta, with its English-speaking tradition, has become a highly popular destination for those wanting to learn English as a second language. Most schools offer executive intensive and vacation courses. Executive courses are generally offered throughout the year, while vacation courses are offered during the summer months. EEC Language Centre  is one of our associated companies specializing in English Languages Courses at all levels and profession.

RELIGION The majority are Roman Catholic. There are small Anglican, Church of Scotland, Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Methodist communities.

TOURISM The Tourism Ministry for Tourism, is the government body which interprets and actions the policy on the subject of Tourism. The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), is the secretariat’s marketing aim to this function. The Product Development Section within the Tourism Secretariat is on the other hand primarily involved in the upgrading of the Maltese Tourist Product. Besides administering and implementing the Tourism Market Plan which was in fact prepared by the Harwarth and Harwarth Consulting Group; this section is actively involved in the upgrading of the following aspects of the Product.