Malta is for non-local government purposes divided into districts as opposed to the local government localities. The three main types of such districts - statistical, electoral at national level, and policing - have no mainstream administrative effect as the local councils form the first-tier - moreover only administrative tier - divisions of the country.
Six districts exist, used for statistical purposes and which are, in turn, grouped into five regions:, Reġjun Tramuntana, Reġjun Ċentrali (both of which were formerly part of Malta Majjistral region), Reġjun Nofsinhar, Reġjun Xlokk (both of which were formerly part of Malta Xlokk region), and Gozo. Each district consists of several localities. The Northern Harbour District, Western District and Northern District together form the North Western Region (Malta Majjistral). The South Eastern District and Southern Harbour District form the South Eastern Region (Malta Xlokk). The Gozo and Comino District is a Region in its own right.[1]
The Southern Harbour District forms part of Malta Xlokk. It contains 14 local councils including the all but western suburbs of the capital Valletta and the small cities Birgu, Cospicua, Senglea and Żabbar. Its largest locality is Żabbar; its smallest, Xgħajra.[1] The District's population is 80,170 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 26.1 km2. Thus it then ranked second-most populous and had the fifth-largest extent.
The Northern Harbour District forms part of the Central Region. It contains 13 local councils including the city of Qormi, with the largest locality being Birkirkara (22,314). The smallest one is Ta' Xbiex (pop. 1,657). The population of the District is 131,056 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 24.1 km2. It is the most populous and yet the smallest.
The South Eastern District forms part of Malta Xlokk. It contains 11 local councils including the city of Żejtun, with the largest locality being Marsaskala (12,281) while the smallest one is Ħal Safi (pop. 2,168). The population of the District is 68,044 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 54.3 km2. It is the fourth-largest district by population and area.
The Western District forms part of Malta Majjistral. It contains 10 local councils including the cities of Mdina, Siġġiewi and Żebbuġ, the most populous locality being Żebbuġ (11,759). The smallest one is Mdina (pop. 229). The population of the District is 59,817 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 72.5 km2. Thus it was the fifth-largest by population and has the second-largest extent.
The Northern District forms part of the Northern Region. It contains 6 local councils but no cities, with the largest locality being St. Paul's Bay (29,843); its smallest is Għargħur (2,743). The population of the District is 69,467 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 73.6 km2. It is the third most populous and is the largest.
The Gozo and Comino District is also the Gozo Region. It contains 14 local councils including the city of Victoria (or Rabat). This is also the largest locality (6,211) while the smallest one is Għasri (pop. 418). The population of the District is 31,879 (as of 31 December 2016) across its 68.7 km2. It is the least populous district and the third biggest.
See also: Parliament of Malta. There are currently 13 Electoral Divisions for the unicameral (single-assembly) parliament. Each consists of a number of localities (although there is no requirement that electoral boundaries follow the boundaries of localities).[2] [3]
This district consists of the islands of Gozo and Comino
Following the 2022 amendments to the police district's boundaries and compositions, Malta has 2 police regions which fall under the responsibility of 2 distinct Assistant Commissioners. Each of these 2 regions consist of 6 police districts, amounting to a total of 12 districts. Each district is administered by its nominated Superintendent and has its own police headquarters.[4] [5]