# Birkirkara

> city in Malta

**Wikidata**: [Q39583](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39583)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkirkara)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/birkirkara

## Summary
Birkirkara is a city located in the Eastern Region of Malta. It is characterized by its administrative status, identified by specific postal and location codes, and has a population recorded at different points in time, with figures reaching 29,482 by the end of 2024. The city serves as a significant human settlement within the Maltese archipelago.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City (large human settlement).
- **Location**: Eastern Region, Malta.
- **Coordinates**: 35.9°N, 14.466666666667°E.
- **Area**: 2.70 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 40 metres above sea level.
- **Population**: 29,482 (as of December 31, 2024).
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00.
- **Postal Code**: BKR.
- **UN/LOCODE**: MTBIR.
- **ISO 3166-2 Code**: MT-04.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 48.
- **Official Website**: https://birkirkaralc.gov.mt/en/.
- **Patron Saint**: Helena Augusta.
- **Head of Government**: Q133891709 (term started in 2024).
- **Bordering Localities**: Balzan, Iklin, Qormi, Santa Venera, Msida, San Ġwann, Attard.
- **Official Languages**: Maltese, English.

## FAQs
**What are the demographic details of Birkirkara?**
Birkirkara's population has been tracked over several years, with records showing 23,034 residents in March 2018, 24,356 in January 2019, and a projected figure of 29,482 by December 31, 2024.

**Where is Birkirkara situated geographically?**
The city is situated in Malta's Eastern Region. It sits at an elevation of 40 metres above sea level and covers a total area of 2.70 square kilometres.

**How is Birkirkara identified in international and administrative systems?**
The city is identified by several codes including the UN/LOCODE MTBIR, the ISO 3166-2 code MT-04, and the postal code BKR. It also has a GeoNames ID (8299703) and an OpenStreetMap relation ID (7510585).

**Who is the patron saint of Birkirkara?**
The patron saint of Birkirkara is Helena Augusta.

## Why It Matters
Birkirkara is a significant population center within Malta, evidenced by its substantial resident count which makes it a major urban hub. Its administrative role is underscored by a dedicated local council, official website, and specific governmental head. The city's cultural identity is marked by the veneration of Saint Helena Augusta and the use of both Maltese and English as official languages. Its network of borders with seven other localities highlights its integration and connectivity within the central part of the island.

## Notable For
- **Population Growth**: The city demonstrates a notable increase in population, growing from 23,034 in 2018 to a projected 29,482 by the end of 2024.
- **Cultural Heritage**: The city's patron saint is Helena Augusta, a figure of historical and religious importance.
- **Administrative Hub**: It serves as a distinct administrative region with its own local council and digital presence.
- **Geographic Centrality**: Birkirkara shares borders with seven other localities (Balzan, Iklin, Qormi, Santa Venera, Msida, San Ġwann, Attard), indicating its central role in the region's geography.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Birkirkara is geographically positioned in the Eastern Region of Malta. The city's precise coordinates are 35.9°N latitude and 14.466666666667°E longitude. It encompasses a land area of 2.70 square kilometres and rests at an elevation of 40 metres above sea level. The city operates within the UTC+01:00 timezone.

Administratively, Birkirkara is recognized as a city (a large human settlement). It is governed by a local body, headed by an official with the identifier Q133891709, whose term began in 2024. The official online portal for the city is accessible at https://birkirkaralc.gov.mt/en/ (English version). The city also maintains a Facebook page under the name KunsillLokaliBirkirkara.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Birkirkara has been recorded at three distinct points:
- **March 31, 2018**: 23,034.
- **January 2019**: 24,356 (preferred figure).
- **December 31, 2024**: 29,482.

These figures indicate a steady increase in the city's population over the specified period.

### Borders and Connectivity
Birkirkara is centrally located and shares its boundaries with several key Maltese localities. Its neighbours include:
- Balzan
- Iklin
- Qormi
- Santa Venera
- Msida
- San Ġwann
- Attard

The city's local dialing code is 48, and its postal code is BKR.

### Identity and Symbols
The city's identity is represented through various symbols and codes. Birkirkara is also known by the aliases "B'Kara" and "BKara," and its native label is "Birkirkara." Its patron saint is Helena Augusta.

Official identifiers include:
- **UN/LOCODE**: MTBIR
- **ISO 3166-2 Code**: MT-04
- **GeoNames ID**: 8299703
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 7510585
- **Freebase ID**: /m/030nt9
- **Who's On First ID**: 85686879
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: 11534038
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID (2017)**: 1868378 (entry titled БИРКИРКАРА)
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 0eaafc54-5bbe-4d56-aebc-1ecb0820bb38
- **Archinform Location ID**: 51313
- **SNK ID**: 1947811

Visual representations of the city include a flag, a coat of arms, a locator map image, and a nighttime view of the Church of the Madonna tal-Ħerba.

### Digital and Linguistic Presence
Birkirkara has a strong digital footprint. It has a Wikipedia title "Birkirkara" and is documented in 70 site links across various languages, including Afrikaans, Arabic, German, English, French, Italian, and many others. The official languages of the city are Maltese and English. The main category for the topic on Wikimedia Commons is "Category:Birkirkara," with a separate category for maps and plans, and another for people born in the locality.

## References

1. [Source](https://localgovernment.gov.mt/public-body/eastern-region-lvant/)
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://nso.gov.mt/population/world-population-day-11-july-2025/)
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/mt.htm)
7. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)