Malta is an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, Italy. The capital and largest city is Valletta. The official languages are Maltese and English and the population is around 500,000. The economy is based on tourism, services, and manufacturing. Malta has a rich history and culture, with ancient temples, historic fortifications, and beautiful beaches. The country is known for its warm climate, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. Malta is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union since 2004, but it does not use the Euro as its currency it uses Maltese Lira. Malta is also famous for its festivals, traditional costumes and its unique language, Maltese, which is a Semitic language, and it is written in the Latin script.