ArguendoClass.com: Malta...

Malta...

Section: Diaries Topic:
By jennyporlando
07/03/2006 10:11:13 PM EST
Tags: geography

In class, Gabe and I had pretty much decided that we were going to start up a discussion about European Politics in relation to American politics; however, considering the fact that I would like to keep on researching about the subject, I just thought I would write something my country as a basic introduction for everyone.

Well, I'm Jenny Pullicino Orlando and I'm from Malta as most of you probably already know. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily, the Maltese archipelago basically consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Their total population being the grand total of... 400,917 people. Yes, we are an overpopulated country... The largest island of the group is Malta, from which the archipelago takes its name. Valletta, the capital, is the cultural, administrative and commercial centre of the archipelago. Malta is well served with harbours, chief of which is the Valletta Grand Harbour. The strategic position Malta enjoys, has allowed it to develop as an important trading post. The Maltese Freeport is one of the Mediterranean's leading ports for container transshipments. The second largest island, Gozo is quite different from Malta. This tremendously quaint island is attractive basically because of its less industrialised way of life. Most Gozitans actually work and study in Malta. Why? The only university in the Maltese Islands can be found on the island of Malta... and in the end; most Gozitans end up working there. Although Gozitans are pretty much Maltese people, the have a different dialect, a version of Maltese. Maltese as a language is a Semitic language, a variation of Classical Arabic, one of the last surviving ones. However, English is the second language, and Italian is also very commonly spoken. As for Maltese politics... Most people are politically aware and there is intense rivalry between the parties. The two main contenders are the Nationalists (Christian Democrat) and the Labour Party. Since 1974 Malta has been a republic within the British Commonwealth. It has a single legislative chamber of 65 members, which is elected by a system of proportional representation. The President is the constitutional Head of state, although this role is primarily nominal since executive powers by the Prime Minister. The House of Representatives sits in the Grand Masters' Palace, and the office of the Prime Minister is in the Auberge de castile. Anyway... Hope I haven't bored you all to death... if you like you can keep on researching about Malta through this link See you all tomorrow ... Enjoy

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Malta... | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)

Thanks (none / 0)

The teacher is rapidly becoming the student . . .

I think you can edit your story to include the link.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross_Smith on 07/04/2006 01:15:47 AM EST

Intriguing (none / 0)

Malta sounds like an island paradise. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, i'll definitely have to explore your country.

by DLeung on 07/04/2006 10:03:03 AM EST

: Paradise (none / 0)

Not so much a paradise... it has its bad points obviously, but it's a lovely country... :D ill write an interesting one next with Gabe...COME ON DEBATE hehe
Jenny P. Orlando
by jennyporlando on 07/04/2006 10:31:15 AM EST

[ Parent ]

For you Jenny (none / 0)

I love Malta espescialy the girls of Malta...

by paul on 07/04/2006 04:40:11 PM EST

Malta - and finance (none / 0)

Jenny,

What you've written (and so very well) is a straightforward description of Malta. What you haven't described, though, is what a wonderful place it is. The people are kind and welcoming (and yes, it's a chauvinist thing to say, but I agree with Paul that the women are drop-dead gorgeous), visitors can feel safe walking the streets in the evening, and there is so much to see and do (OK, so I exclude the Popeye village from the list of interesting places).

I fell in love with Malta and the Maltese within 24 hours of arrival at Luqa, and I'd love to live and work there.

There are four problems (as a start) that I can see in Malta's future:
(1) The unbelievably high landing charges imposed at Malta International Airport (Luqa), which are strangling Malta's main source of income (see the recent correspondence in the Malta Independent about government flight subsidies to RyanAir, most of which go to the airport authority);
(2) The Nationalist government's inability to get their act together over tourism - this may be a variant of the previous point - so that, despite promising a 50,000 visitors-per-year increase over the last three years, the "increase" is currently running at -30,000 with less than a year to go (a 180,000 visitors-per-annum shortfall). Malta is just not being advertised as a destination for serious travellers who want more than sun, sea, sand and being sick on the beach - with its history, the island is a perfect destination for people (particularly English speakers) who are interested in the place they're visiting, and who like to talk to the local populace;
(3) The Euro - I share the fears of the Maltese that dropping the Maltese Lira in favour of the Euro will push prices through the roof;
(4) The EU - OK, so Malta has a six-year derogation from a number of EU regulations, including having to admit migrant workers, but (again) if the government doesn't get its act together in that period, then local unemployment is going to become a serious issue.

I fear for Malta's future.

David

by curate on 02/18/2007 10:06:07 PM EST

Malta... | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)