www.internationalliving.com
by Laura Sheridan
Editor, IL's Quality of Life Index
Thursday, 25th January, 2007
Don't be embarrassed if you can't pinpoint
Malta on a map.
Though it has the best climate in the world, this little
island nation is not on everyone's radar.
A quintet of sunny islands makes up the Republic
of Malta, with its mild winters and hot summers. Malta, Gozo,
and Comino are all inhabited--though with a mere handful of
families, Comino only just qualifies. The remaining islands,
Cominotto and Filfla, are for boat-trippers and seabirds.
These Maltese islands take the top spot in
the Climate category of our 2007 Quality of Life Index. As
you know, once a year, every January, we consider nearly every
nation on earth in a grueling set of nine categories. This
year, our survey looks at 193 countries. And Malta has the
best climate in the world.
Fair weather, averaging 5.2 hours of sunshine
a day--even in December. Right into November, daytime temperatures
often nudge 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring comes early, around
late February. Frost and snow are mostly unknown. There is
winter rainfall, but it tends to come in heavy bursts for
short periods. And, while the islands boast few sandy beaches,
there are compensations: Summertime brings a round of colorful
village festivals complete with fireworks. Diving and sailing
are excellent. You can play golf, go horseback riding, and
attend trotting races. The second-oldest theater in Europe
is the Manoel Theatre, in the capital of Malta, Valletta.
In the cooler months, October through May, you can see opera,
theater, music, and ballet there.
Don't be embarrassed if you can't pinpoint
Malta on a map. It's not on everyone's radar, and mostly unheard
of by Americans. Malta is anchored almost in the centre of
the Mediterranean Sea, 60 miles from the Italian island of
Sicily, which is linked to Malta by regular 90-minute ferry
service. There is a modern airport at Luqa (on Malta) with
flights to numerous other European countries. Rome is but
one hour away by plane.
The next closest neighbours are in North
Africa, which lies less than 200 miles away. Travel west,
and you arrive in Tunisia; go south from Malta, and you reach
Libya.
In other words, despite the Republic of Malta's
island status, you won't live here like a castaway.
The government is a politically stable parliamentary
democracy, so you do not have to lie awake at night worrying
about army coups and crazy colonels with big ideas. A president
is the titular head of state, and executive power lies in
the hands of the prime minister and the cabinet, whose ministers
are appointed from elected members of Parliament. Headed by
an attorney general, the judiciary is independent.
Furthermore, this little island became a
member of the E.U in 2004.
Apart from the near-perfect climate, on both
Malta and Gozo the living is easy and affordable. Crime hardly
exists, the locals are hospitable, permanent foreign residents
can take advantage of a 15% tax rate, and nobody pays property
taxes. The health care is excellent. And you'll encounter
no language difficulties…everybody speaks English.
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