| Vexillology of Malta |
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| Malta |
| Long Form of Country Name: Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta) Short Form of Country Name: Malta Form of State: Republic consisting of two main islands (Malta and Gozo) and several smaller sparsely inhabited or uninhabited islets headed by a president who is elected by the House of Representatives to a 5-year term. Form of Government: Parliamentary democracy vested in a unicameral legislature known as the House of Representatives. The 65 permanant seats of the House of Representatives are filled during proportional popular elections held every 5 years. If necessary, the party that receives a majority of the popular vote is given enough temporary seats to ensure a legislative majority. This party then nominates a prime minister who is appointed by the president. Executive authority is vested in a cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister. Independence: 21 September 1964 from the United Kingdom Capital: Valetta Major National Groups: Maltese, a national group that is blended from Phoenician, Cathaginian, Arab, Greek, and Italian ethnic and cultural stock |
| The Republic of Malta is a single-unit state, meaning that is has no smaller political division than the national government. The country is administered on the local level by more than 5 dozen municipal councils. However, these councils receive their authority from, and act on behalf of, the central government in Valetta. Each Muncipality possesses a municipal flag, the most important of which may be viewed on the municpality vexillogram pages of this website. |
| Malta |
| Gozo |
| Comino |
| Mediterranean Sea |
| Mediterranean Sea |
| Valetta |
| Proportion: 2:3 Adopted: 21 September 1964 First Flown: Unknown Use: |
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| Cross of George Bestowed upon the people of Malta by King George V for bravery during World War II |
| Maltese Coat-of-Arms |
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| The History of Malta and its Flag |
| Located almost in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, the people of Malta claim a cultural heritage that blends those of all the peoples who have lived on its shores. From the earliest days of Western civilization, the inhabitants of the Mediterranean world have recognized the need to possess and control Malta. From about 3200 BC, a native culture lived on Malta, but they were quickly conquered by first the Phoenicians, then the Cathaginians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, each of these adding a unique flavor to the cultural brew that evolved over each successive occupation. The Arabs used Malta as a staging point as they attempted to spread Islam throughout the world. They held the island until Count Roger of Sicily haulted their advance there in 1091. It was following the arrival of the Christians that the islands became famous as the home base of the Knights of the Hospital of St. John (the Knights Templar) and became a base for Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. The islands remained in Italian hands until Napoleon took it from them in the 19th century on his way to Egypt. Finally, after Napoleon was brought under control, the British gained possession of Malta and Gibraltar, effectively turning the Mediterranean into a British lake. The British ruled Malta for a hundred and fifty years before the islands were granted independence in 1964. Today, Malta is a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations. It proudly displays the Cross of George on its flag. This medal was presented to the entire Maltese people following World War II by King George V of Great Britain for the galliant and brave resistence that the Maltese people waged against the Axis powers and their assistance of the Allies in the defeat of Hitler and Mussolini. The George Cross is a prominent feature of the Maltese flag other than its colors. The colors of red and white are said to come from the heraldric arms of Count Roger, the first Christian ruler of Malta. Therefore, the first flag of an independent Malta (the first experience the Maltese people have had with independence in their 5000 year-history) is comprised of elements derived from its own colonial past. |
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| Maltese Cross The banner of the Knights Templar from the Middle Ages to the present. Also used as the Naval Ensign of the Maltese Navy |
| Standard of the Queen of Malta Used by Queen Elizabeth II in her role as the Queen of Malta from 1964 to 1974 |
| Standard of the Governor-General of Malta 1964 - 1974 |
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| Return to the European Vexillogram Directory © 2007 SouthBear This page was created on 1 May 2007 Date of Last Revision: 5 May 2007 Animated flagpoles: www.fg-a.com |
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