Bus Ride Around Malta Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sicily

Malta is a small island nation of over 400 000 people crammed into 316 sq. km. With most people living in the capital Valletta, it is a vibrant country just south of Sicily, an eighty kilometre ferry ride to Palermo. Sardinia and Corsica are a bit farther away to the north-west. The island is only 280 km East of Tunisia, the closet African mainland country.

Answer: World's second longest road bridge linking Malta to Sicily

Situated half way between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal/Middle East, Malta has always occupied key strategic geography and as such was why it was invaded and colonised so much in its history. It was also a convenient place to have a trading port as much of the pre-20th century shipping routes passed the island.

There is no bridge between Malta and Sicily! (and never will be). It is simply too far with estimates of up to 100km. Malta has been and remains an extremely important location for shipping, both commercial and military. Its location coupled with a safe, deep, all-weather port meant that it also housed the (British) Royal Navy Fleet in the Mediterranean from 1814 until the mid-1930s. Fear of air attacks from nearby Italy resulted in the Fleet moving to Alexandria.

Answer: Honey

The island of Malta is thought to have taken its name from the Greek word 'Meli' which means honey. The ancient Greeks called the island Melite (honey-sweet) and the Romans Melita, possibly due to the subspecies of bees that is native to Malta.

These bees endemic to Malta are Apis mellifera ruttneri (pictured), a subspecies derived from the western honey bee.

Answer: Portugal

Malta has been conquered and its ruling country has changed many times since it was first inhabited. The Punic Wars, 264-146BCE, resulted in the Romans assuming control of Malta from the Arabs and Spanish. Malta prospered under Roman and Hospitaller rule until 1798 when the French, led by Napoleon, invaded during the French Revolutionary Wars.

The Maltese fought back, and with the help from Britain and Portugal, France surrendered Malta to the British in 1800. Malta was then a Protectorate of Great Britain until 1964 when Malta was granted independence.

Answer: Roman Catholic

The vast majority of Maltese people profess to the Roman Catholic faith and this is recognised in the Maltese Constitution as the official state religion. Many other faiths are also present in contemporary society and are respected. The Santa Marija (Assumption of Mary) is the special protector or patron of the Maltese Islands.

The shipwreck of St Paul and his subsequent teachings for three months in Malta are recorded in the Bible (Acts of the Apostles, 28: 1-11, KJV). The Roman Governor of Malta at this time, Publius, converted to Christianity after St Paul cured his father of dysentery. Publius became the island's first bishop and was martyred in 125 CE.

He is still recognised today with a feast day in his honour.

Answer: Sicilian (Siculo)- Arabic

Siculo-Arabic was introduced to Malta in 1090 CE. It is a mixture of Italian from Sicily and Arabic. What preceded the Arab invasion of 870 CE is much less certain, although Punic from Carthage is one likely candidate. Typical of most languages, there has been a continual refinement and evolution of Maltese over the last millennium. Today, it is a mix of Italian/Sicilian, Siculo-Arabic, English and some French too.

Answer: Rabbit

Fenkata, a peasant food, is a traditional Maltese communal meal and feast prepared using rabbit in various dishes mainly as a casserole or stew. The rabbit is marinated overnight in wine and bay leaves then the rabbit meat stewed or fried, vegetables added and may be served with or without gravy.
A related dish based on fenkata is stuffat tal-fenek which is the rabbit stew recipe, served atop spaghetti or pasta. This is usually served as a first course followed by the stew as a main course.

Answer: Warmest European capital in winter

Malta has a very pleasant climate with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Summer is generally dry with rain occurring mainly in autumn and winter.

January is the coldest month with typical maximum temperature ranges from 12 to 18C (54 to 64 degrees F) during the day and minimum 6 to 12C (43 to 54 degrees F) at night. August is the warmest month with maximum temperature ranges from around 31C (87 degrees°F) during the day and around 22C (72 degrees F) at night.
Valletta has the warmest winters in Europe, with average temperatures of around 16C (60 degrees F) during the day and 10C (49 degrees F) at night between December to early March.

Answer: 1979 - British troops left the island

Malta became independent from the UK on 21 September 1964. This date is known as Independence Day but Malta remained part of the British Commonwealth. Malta retained Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and Queen of Malta. On 13 December 1974, subsequently known as Republic Day, Malta it became a republic with the President as head of state. On 31 March 1979, Malta witnessed the withdrawal of all British troops and the Royal Navy from Malta.

This day is known as Freedom Day and Malta declared itself both neutral and non-aligned.

The country joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 and adopted the Euro and later, joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2008.

Answer: Gozo

While Malta is thought of a small island nation, it is actually an archipelago, but only the three largest islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino (Kemmuna) - are inhabited.

Gozo, known by locals as Gawdex, is an island of 67 sq. km. Its population of 37, 000 is roughly 10 percent of Malta's population with a mainly rural distribution. It has many historical sites such as the Ggantija temples and the Megalithic Temples of Malta which are two of the world's oldest free-standing structures.

The picture depicts dumplings called gyoza.