5 Things You Didn't Know About Malta

When I talk to friends and acquaintances back in Germany about Malta, I often notice the same pattern: most people know the island exists—to put it bluntly—but very few know much about this Mediterranean country beyond the basics.

I don't want to bore you with a geography lesson today. Instead, I want to share five facts about my adopted home that you probably haven't heard before.

1. Malta has the seventh-highest population density in the world

With roughly 417,000 inhabitants squeezed into just 316 square kilometres, Malta has a population density of around 1,321 people per square kilometre. This places the country seventh on the global list of most densely populated territories. Only Monaco, Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, and Bahrain are more crowded.

2. It is one of the most water-scarce countries on Earth

Malta is incredibly dry. This is largely due to the limestone ground, which hardly retains any water. To give you an idea of the scarcity: back in 2006, the amount of freshwater available per capita was just 32.2 cubic metres. For comparison, a daily shower alone consumes about 20 cubic metres a year. It is a genuine challenge for the island.

3. Church clocks are often wrong—on purpose

If you look up at a church tower in Malta, you might notice two clocks showing different times. This isn't a maintenance issue. It is an old tradition designed to confuse the Devil, ensuring he wouldn't know when Mass started and therefore couldn't disrupt the service. I can't say for sure how effective this strategy was, but the clocks remain.

4. There is a church for every day of the year

While there isn't a strict schedule assigning a specific church to a specific date, the local saying is that Malta has 365 churches—one for every day of the year. Given that about 98% of the population is Catholic, the space is certainly utilized.

5. The sun shines on more than 300 days a year

Malta is one of the sunniest places in Europe. We get over 300 days of sunshine annually, and that ranking is well-deserved. The winters are mild and the summers are hot. It is perfect for a holiday, but in my experience, it is even better for settling down and living here permanently.