The Maltese islands take the top spot in the Climate category of our 2007 Quality of Life Index

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007

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 secondoldest
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.
Laura Sheridan
Editor, IL's Quality of Life Index
P.S. The Maltese drive on the left, like the British, but a little more
recklessly.

Link: http://www.internationalliving.com/Countries/Malta/Country-Archive/01-25-07_worlds_best

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Last Modified: 2009-12-17