Line #78 UsefulNotes/Malta


1	[[quoteright:328:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mt_map.gif]]
2
3	The Republic of Malta ('''Maltese:''' ''Repubblika ta' Malta''), is a small Southern European island nation, located about 60 miles off the coast of UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} and consisting of the inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino and a number of uninhabited islands. Malta has historically been of enormous strategic significance. [[UsefulNotes/TheKnightsHospitallers The Knights of St. John]] were resettled here after their original base of Rhodes was over-run by the Ottoman Turks.
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5	During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, Malta was a British possession (following wars with UsefulNotes/{{France}} a century earlier) and a very useful air and naval base just off the enemy (Italian) coast. The Italian and German air forces made determined attempts to do something about this, but were held off by a bare minimum of British fighters. The people of Malta were considered to have conducted themselves so bravely during the bombardment that the ''entire nation'' was collectively awarded the George Cross (The UsefulNotes/UnitedKingdom's highest civilian award for bravery). Britain later considered integrating the island into the UK (as a county of England, no less) but in the end it became an independent republic.
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7	The Maltese language sounds very odd to English-speakers, being an Afro-Asiatic language of the Semitic subfamily (like Hebrew and Arabic) rather than an Indo-European one and something of a cross between Arabic and Italian. It is thought that it is descended from the form of Arabic spoken by Arab traders in Sicily during TheMiddleAges. Its closest relative is UsefulNotes/{{Tunisia}}n Arabic; a Tunisian who knows Italian or an Italian who speaks Tunisian Arabic should be able to get by.
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9	When in Malta, it is worth being prepared.
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11	Historically, Malta is known for its pre-historic temples and the ancient worship of the 'Fat Lady'. Over the ages the island exchanged hands, being ruled by Romans, Arabs, Knights of St. John, French, British and finally in modern times, the locals. Under the Knights, the island held its ground against a massive armada of the Ottoman Empire, and made quite a show during the Great Siege of Malta.
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13	'''Public Transport'''
14	* When facing the primordial terror of a local bus (usually decorated inside with religious iconography), one must be aware of the 'bus driver'. This fat man will not look you in the eyes, but will instead stick a grimy hand out to you. You will be expected to pay about 47euro cents if it is a normal bus ride. He will press a tiny button and a ticket will pop out of the machine. You must take this ticket, and find a seat.
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16	'''Filth Dispensers / Old Bars'''
17	* Aside from the usual peanut bowl which contains every disease known to man, entertain a bird's eye view of what the barman does with whatever is available. Usually, flesh eating slimes crawl amidst grime and other dangers to public health.
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19	'''Wardens'''
20	* Every local hates the wardens. They seem to find every excuse to give you a ticket. So have your car keys on standby to make a runner if you see one charge from around the corner.
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22	'''Doorstep Geriatrics'''
23	* Quite a few traditional, conservative Maltese tend to make it a personal crusade to ensure the cleanliness of their doorsteps, which they wash and hold small parties upon. Don't violate the sanctity of the Maltese doorstep, lest you invoke the wrath of the local.
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25	'''Carriage Drivers'''
26	* Around the capital city of Valletta, you'll find plenty of carriages, their horses and of course the guys trying to make money off of the whole thing by offering tourists a small ride around town.
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28	Despite all of this, Malta's climate (in spring and autumn, at any rate), and the fact that most of its inhabitants speak at least some English, make it a popular holiday destination with Britons.
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30	''Film/{{Popeye}}'' was filmed here; the main set that portrayed [[NotSoSafeHarbor the town of Sweethaven]] still exists [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeye_Village as "Popeye Village", a museum and entertainment complex.]] ''Film/FinalJustice'' was also filmed and set here. An episode of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' was supposedly set here, but bizarrely and insultingly depicted the country as an isolated developing-world rogue state whose government was in the pocket of a millionaire DiabolicalMastermind. Creator/MichaelBay's ''Film/ThirteenHoursTheSecretSoldiersOfBenghazi'' was also filmed here [[CaliforniaDoubling as a stand-in for Benghazi, Libya]] due to the area having a lot of Northern Africa-style architecture and also being a lot safer than UsefulNotes/{{Libya}} itself. Valletta also served as stand-in for late 15th century Spanish cities Granada and Seville in ''[[Film/AssassinsCreed2016 Assassin's Creed]]''.
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32	Music/{{XTC}}'s Andy Partridge was born in Malta, although he and the band are more commonly associated with Swindon. However, perhaps the most famous ethnic Maltese people in the world are second-generation members of the Maltese diaspora: Aussie comedian Creator/ShaunMicallef and American politician Peter "Secretary Mayor Pete" Buttigieg.
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34	See also MalteseMedia for works from this country.
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36	----
37	[[AC:The Maltese flag]]
38	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flag_of_malta.png]]
39	->Red and white are traditional colors used by UsefulNotes/TheKnightsHospitallers; at the canton is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cross George Cross]], Britain's highest award for civilian gallantry (as well as military personnel engaged in non-military operations), conferred upon the entire nation by the system's founder, King George VI, to honor its heroic stand during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, showing a Greek cross, at the center of which is a medallion showing Myth/SaintGeorge, patron of England, slaying a dragon, surrounded by a ring which reads "For Gallantry".
40	----
41	[[AC:Coat of arms of Malta]]
42	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/coat_of_arms_of_malta.png]]
43	->The coat of arms was adopted in 1988 to replace its previous controversial coat of arms. It depicted a shield that contains the flag of Malta crowned with a mural crown (to represent Malta as a city-state). a palm leaf and an olive leaf (to symbolize peace) and a white ribbon containing the country's full name in Maltese.
44	----
45	[[AC:The Maltese national anthem]]
46
47	->Lil din l-art ħelwa, l-Omm li tatna isimha,
48	->Ħares, Mulej, kif dejjem Int ħarist:
49	->Ftakar li lilha bil-oħla dawl libbist.
50
51	->Agħti, kbir Alla, id-dehen lil min jaħkimha,
52	->Rodd il-ħniena lis-sid, saħħa 'l-ħaddiem:
53	->Seddaq il-għaqda fil-Maltin u s-sliem.
54
55	--
56
57	->Guard, Lord, forever, as you've done erst and ceasing never,
58	->This land whose name we received, our motherly-named Mother.
59	->Her you have draped with a light whose grace exceeds all other.
60
61	->On those who govern, sovereign God, bestow understanding,
62	->Grant wellness to those who work, largesse to those employing,
63	->Make firm, make just all our bonds, the peace we are enjoying.
64	----
65	[[AC:Government]]
66	* Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
67	** President: George Vella
68	** Prime Minister: Robert Abela
69	** Deputy Prime Minister: Chris Fearne
70	** Chief Justice: Mark Chetcuti
71	** Speaker of the Parliament: Angelo Farrugia
72	----
73	[[AC:Miscellaneous]]
74	* '''Capital:''' Valletta
75	* '''Largest town:''' St. Paul's Bay
76	* '''Population:''' 514,564
77	* '''Area:''' 316 km
78	(122 sq mi) (185th)
79	* '''Currency''': Euro (€) (EUR)
80	* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' MT
81	* '''Country calling code:''' 356
82	* '''Highest point:''' Ta'Dmejrek (253 m/830 ft) (188th)

Context UsefulNotes / Malta