# Valletta

> capital of Malta

**Wikidata**: [Q23800](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23800)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valletta)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valletta

## Summary
Valletta is the capital city of Malta, founded in 1566 by Jean de Valette Parisot and named after him. It serves as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 and functions as the administrative heart of the Port Region. The city is renowned for its historical significance, having withstood the Siege of Malta, and holds the title of European Capital of Culture for 2018.

## Key Facts
*   **Capital Status:** Valletta is the capital of Malta and the official seat of government.
*   **Founding:** Established in 1566 by Jean de Valette Parisot.
*   **Location:** Situated in the Port Region of Malta, bordering Floriana, with coordinates at 35.897777777778° N, 14.5125° E.
*   **Area:** Covers 80 hectares.
*   **Population:** Recorded at 6,444 residents as of March 31, 2014; 5,719 in 2012; and 5,197 as of December 31, 2021.
*   **Elevation:** Sits 56 meters above sea level.
*   **Time Zones:** Observes UTC+01:00 standard time and UTC+02:00 during daylight saving periods.
*   **Heritage Designation:** Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 under criteria (i) and (vi).
*   **Awards:** Named European Capital of Culture in 2018.
*   **Patron Saint:** Saint Dominic.
*   **Official Name:** "Belt Valletta" in the native Maltese language.
*   **Demonym:** Residents are referred to as "Valettin" (masculine) or "Valettine" (feminine).
*   **Postal Code:** VLT.
*   **ISO Code:** MT-60.
*   **Head of Government:** Alfred Zammit (serving since 2019), succeeding Alexiei Dingli (2008–2019).
*   **Twinning:** Twinned with Palermo and Nobile Contrada dell'Aquila.
*   **Significant Event:** Site of the historic Siege of Malta.
*   **Media Presence:** Featured as a City-state in the video game *Civilization V*.

## FAQs
**Who founded Valletta and why was it named that way?**
The city was founded in 1566 by Jean de Valette Parisot, the Grand Master of the Order of St. John. It was named "Valletta" in his honor to commemorate his leadership, particularly during the Great Siege of Malta.

**What is the current population and administrative status of the city?**
As of the end of 2021, the population was recorded at 5,197, though a 2014 census listed 6,444 residents. Administratively, it is a local council within the Port Region of Malta and serves as the national capital.

**Why is Valletta recognized globally as a heritage site?**
Valletta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 due to its outstanding universal value, specifically meeting criteria (i) for its human creative genius and (vi) for its direct association with events of universal significance. It is also a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

**What are the official names and languages used in Valletta?**
The official native label is "Belt Valletta," while the English name is Valletta. The city has a vast multilingual presence with Wikipedia articles available in over 150 languages, including Maltese, English, French, Arabic, and various Asian and European languages.

**Who governs Valletta and who are its historical leaders?**
The current head of government is Alfred Zammit, who began his term in 2019. Previous mayors include Alexiei Dingli (2008–2019), Paul Borg Olivier (1999–2008), and Hector Bruno (1993–1999).

## Why It Matters
Valletta is a critical entity in Mediterranean history and modern geopolitics, serving as the political and cultural nucleus of Malta. Its significance stems from its role as a fortified city built after the Great Siege, symbolizing resilience and strategic military architecture that has been preserved for centuries. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it represents a unique concentration of Baroque architecture and historical layers that attract global tourism and academic study. Furthermore, its designation as the European Capital of Culture in 2018 highlighted its capacity to drive cultural exchange and economic revitalization. The city's status as a World Heritage Site ensures the protection of its unique urban fabric, while its function as the capital makes it the central hub for Malta's governance, diplomacy, and international relations.

## Notable For
*   **UNESCO World Heritage Status:** Recognized globally for its architectural integrity and historical importance since 1980.
*   **European Capital of Culture:** Held this prestigious title in 2018, showcasing its cultural vibrancy.
*   **Founding Legacy:** One of the few cities in the world named directly after its founder, Jean de Valette.
*   **Historical Resilience:** The site of the pivotal Siege of Malta, a defining moment in European history.
*   **Architectural Density:** Contains one of the highest concentrations of historic buildings per square meter in Europe.
*   **Cultural Representation:** Featured as a playable City-state in the popular strategy game *Civilization V*.
*   **Patronage:** Dedicated to Saint Dominic, reflecting its deep religious roots.
*   **Geographic Precision:** Defined by specific coordinates and a precise elevation of 56 meters above sea level.
*   **Multilingual Identity:** Maintains official status in Maltese and English while being documented in over 150 languages.

## Body

### Historical Foundations and Origins
Valletta was established in 1566 following the Great Siege of Malta, a significant event in the city's history. The city was founded by Jean de Valette Parisot, who served as the Grand Master of the Order of St. John. The city was named after him to honor his leadership and the victory against the Ottoman Empire. The inception of the city marks a pivotal moment in the defense of Christendom in the Mediterranean. The city's history is documented in numerous encyclopedic sources, including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, and Meyer's Universum. It is also described in "The Nuttall Encyclopædia" and "The New Student's Reference Work."

### Geography and Administrative Structure
The city is located in the Port Region of Malta, sharing a border with the town of Floriana. Its precise geographic coordinates are 35.897777777778° North latitude and 14.5125° East longitude. Valletta sits at an elevation of 56 meters above sea level and covers a total area of 80 hectares. The city is situated on the island of Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea. Administratively, it functions as a local council and is part of the Port Region. The ISO 3166-2 code for the city is MT-60. The local dialing code is 356, and the postal code is VLT. The city observes two time zones: UTC+01:00 for standard time and UTC+02:00 for daylight saving time.

### Demographics and Governance
The population of Valletta has fluctuated over recent decades. As of December 31, 2021, the population was recorded at 5,197. A previous count in 2014 showed 6,444 residents, while the 2012 census recorded 5,719. The demonym for residents is "Valettin" for males and "Valettine" for females. The current head of government is Alfred Zammit, who assumed office in 2019. He succeeded Alexiei Dingli, who served from 2008 to 2019. Prior to Dingli, Paul Borg Olivier held the position from 1999 to 2008, and Hector Bruno served from 1993 to 1999. The city is twinned with Palermo and Nobile Contrada dell'Aquila.

### Cultural and Heritage Significance
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980. It meets criteria (i) for representing a masterpiece of human creative genius and (vi) for its direct association with events of universal significance. The city is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 2018, Valletta was designated the European Capital of Culture. The city's patron saint is Saint Dominic. It is also known by the nickname "Città Umilissima" (The Most Humble City) and "Superbissima." The city has a rich cultural presence, with a dedicated category for people born there and another for those who died there. It is featured in the video game *Civilization V* as a City-state.

### Identification and Digital Presence
The city is identified by numerous unique identifiers across global databases. Its Wikidata ID is Q216, and it has a Freebase ID of /m/0ftns. The VIAF ID is 133703152, and the GND ID is 4119358-1. It holds a World Heritage Site ID of 131. Other identifiers include the Geonames ID 8334638, the MusicBrainz area ID 2aa35979-215b-4398-af7e-f4d8c1abefcb, and the OpenStreetMap node ID 1501909943. The city is listed in the British Library's National Library of Israel J9U system with ID 987007555183205171. It is also cataloged in the Library of Congress with authority ID n81103153. The city has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons and a banner image available on the platform.

### Linguistic and International Recognition
Valletta is recognized in a vast array of languages, with Wikipedia articles available in over 150 languages, ranging from Afrikaans and Arabic to Chinese and Zulu. The native label is "Belt Valletta." The city is described in the Encyclopædia Britannica Online and the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. It is also featured in the Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. The city has a presence in the Wikivoyage and Vikidia projects. It is listed in the Canadiana Name Authority and the National Library of Latvia. The city's unique feature ID in the US National Archives is 10044726. It is also indexed in the WorldCat Entities system.

### Infrastructure and Services
The city is equipped with specific infrastructure identifiers, including the OpenWeatherMap city ID 2562305. It has a Google Play store ID for related applications. The city's geoshape is available as Data:Malta/Valletta.map. The flag of Valletta is available on Wikimedia Commons, and the coat of arms is also documented. The city is located next to the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the "Told Cities" project on Wikimedia and is considered a vital article on Wikipedia. The city has a specific category for maps and plans, as well as a category for views of the city.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080710/local/new-valletta-mayor.216084)
2. [Source](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/131/)
3. [Source](https://localgovernment.gov.mt/public-body/port-region-port/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. SUDOC
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. National Library of Israel
12. [Source](http://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/C3_Population_and_Tourism_Statistics/Demographic_Review_2005_2012.pdf)
13. [Source](https://nso.gov.mt/population/world-population-day-11-july-2025/)
14. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
15. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
16. GeoNames
17. BBC Things
18. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
19. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/131)
20. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
21. museum-digital