World Travellers

The Republic of Malta is Island country of Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea. Located to the South of Sicily (Italy), the East of Tunisia, and the North of Libya, the Maltese archipelago is comprised of 3 inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo (Ghawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna) and 4 uninhabited islets. Malta is the largest of the Maltese Islands.

Malta was inhabited as early as 3800 BC. The country was successively occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Saracens, and Normans. Malta came under the control of the Knights Hospitalers in 1530. It was seized by Napoleon in 1798, and came under the British in 1800.

Germany and Italy heavily bombed Malta during World War II, and the country received Britain’s George Cross for “heroism and devotion,” in 1942. Malta became independent in 1964. The country became a republic in 1974. It joined the European Union in 2004. The country intends to join the Eurozone in 2008. Malta is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Valletta, on the Malta Island, is the capital of the country Malta. Bugibba, Cottonera, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, Rabat, San Gwann, Sliema are other important cities of Malta. The nation of Malta has a very high population density indeed. The Population of the country was 404,000 in 2005, and with an ethnically diverse cultural mixture of Arabs, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, and British descendants. The Maltese and English are the official languages of the country. Italian is also a very widely spoken language on the island of Malta. The French, German and Spanish languages are taught in secondary schools. Roman Catholicism is the most practiced religion of Malta; 98% of Maltese are Roman Catholics.

The Maltese economy is manly based on the tourism Industry. Malta is a popular vacation destination. The country attracts volumes of tourists every year. Malta enjoys the Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra (Two beautiful Stone Age temples), Mellieha (Malta’s biggest beach), Xghara, Blue Grotto, Clapham Junction, Golden Bay are some of the major attractions of the country.

Located at Luqa, the Malta International Airport is the major gateway to the country, served by the national carrier, Air Malta. Malta has regular connections to many European, North African and Middle Eastern centers. The country is also connected to London Luton and Dublin via Ryanair. Malta offers “without visa” entry to EU and American citizens.

By: Paul Symonds

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