Climate
What is it like to live in Malta? Malta’s weather and climate are strongly influenced by the sea and have a very characteristic Mediterranean flavour, similar to the climate found in southern Italy or southern Greece. The climate here is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers, warm and sporadically wet autumns, and short, cool winters with adequate rainfall. Nearly 75 per cent of the total annual rainfall of about 600 millimeters (24 inches) falls between October and March. While June, July and August are quite dry with daytime temperatures reaching above 30ºC (86ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
However, since humidity in summer is rather high in Malta (due to the fact that Malta is an island) summer temperatures can feel quite irritating. In fact, relative humidity is consistently high and rarely falls below 40%. This is especially so in August and September when high humidity can make it uncomfortable at night.
The temperature is very stable, the annual mean being 18ºC (64ºF) and the monthly averages ranging from 12º C (54ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF). Winds are strong and frequent; the most common are the cool northwesterly majjistral (ital), the dry northeasterly grigal, or gregale, and the hot humid southeasterly (xlokk, or sirocco)
Culture
At Pendergardens you will enjoy a generous multicultural diversity that will enrich the quality of your life here. Most European nationalities will be present as well a good mix of Maltese property owners.
The Maltese culture is generally considered to be a mix of influences brought to the island by the various rulers over the years. The Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all left their stamp on the customs and traditions of the Maltese and Malta’s history. However, age-old traditions have been maintained through the generations, allowing the Maltese to retain their roots. A likely reason for this is the drive to establish a Maltese identity in the face of so many foreign rulers.
Certainly the reliance on maritime trade has helped to shape and conserve what we know now call Maltese culture. The predominant religion in Malta is Catholicism. This is followed by over 90% of the population. Mass attendance is also relatively high with 52.6% of the population attending Sunday mass (according to 2005 data).
Following a European trend, however, the younger generations seem to be less interested in practicing religion. It is believed that Catholicism was brought to Malta by St. Paul who was a Christian missionary, living around A.D. 60. Paul was shipwrecked at St Paul’s Bay and subsequently converted the pagan population of Malta at that time.
The Maltese honour their village’s patron saints through celebration in the so-called Maltese festa or feast. This religious celebration forms an important part of culture in Malta and around 80 such events are held during spring and summer months in Malta and Gozo. See if you can find a villagefesta near you at Pendergardens.
(Source: www.guidetomalta.net)
Business Incentives
If you are thinking of living in Malta (or work in Malta), a new set of incentives for the promotion and expansion of industry and the development of innovative enterprise to attract overseas companies to Malta have been developed. Malta Enterprise provides incentives for foreign direct investors and local enterprises demonstrating commitment towards growth and increase in value added and employment opportunities.
So those enterprises engaged in manufacturing, ICT development, Call Centres, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, among others, can benefit from these incentives. Further incentives are available for investment aid, SME development, enterprise support, access to finance, employment and training, and research and development.
