Malta

The Maltese archipelago, composed of the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino is situated in the Mediterranean and lies 93 kilometres South of Sicily(Italy) and 288 kilometres from the nearest coast on North Africa. The total area of the Maltese islands is 316 square kilometres and the population is approximately 350, 000 inhabitants.

Malta became an island some 10,000 years ago with the end of the ice age and the first inhabitants appeared some 7,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. It was during this time that Malta's famous megalithic temples were constructed. The major temples are at Hagar Qim  and at Tarxien. There is also a unique Hypogeum, an underground temple-cum-cemetery. The temple culture came to an end around 2,500 BC when all traces of this society inexplicably disappeared.

The first known inhabitants in historic times were the Phoenicians followed by the Carthaginians and Romans. There are remains of Roman villas as well as preserved early Christian catacombs.

Malta was captured by the Arabs in 870 AD, who developed agriculture and Melita, the capital city, became known as Mdina.

Count Roger the Norman, a Kinsman of William the Conqueror took possession of the Maltese Islands in 1091 AD and although the tangible remains of the Middle Ages are few, this was a period of great importance as it was during this time that Malta's nationality was born. The Maltese absorbed European culture and were assimilated into a European way of life and mentality. The Maltese flag, a symbol of national identity was established during this period.

However, while during the Arabic period of Malta's mediaeval history, the Island enjoyed considerable well-being and prosperity, the living conditions of the Maltese under subsequent European dynasties grossly deteriorated, When the Knights Hospitaliers of the Order of St. John came to Malta in 1530, they found a miserable and poor people, barren soil and the island an extremely undesirable place as a residence.

The Knights having also became a military organisation decided to strengthen the harbour defences. Fort St. Angelo built at the times of the Arabs was improved. Fort St. Michael was built on what is now known as Senglea and a star-shaped fort was constructed at St. Elmo on top of Sceberras Peninsula which was later to become a town after the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Grand Master La Valette laid the foundation stone of the new town which was eventually to become the capital city bearing his name in perpetuity(Valletta).

Valletta was build on a grid pattern and has found buildings such as the Palace of The Grand Masters, the Cathedral of St. John and the Auberges. The city grew rapidly and the Maltese once again became affluent and a higher general standard of living was enjoyed under the Order.

By 1798, the Order had become weakly led and capitulated the islands to Napoleon. The Maltese quickly rebelled against French autocratic rule and the island under the British rule as a result of the Treaty of Paris of 1814. Malta became important military garrison and a base for the British Mediterranean Fleet. This resulted in the island suffering some of the heaviest bombing of World War II.

The Island became independent from Britain in 1964 and Malta is today a democratic republic with a unicameral Government and a constitutional president as head of state. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe and the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Malta has been an associate member of the European Union since 1970 Malta's social, cultural and economic ties reflect a strong European identity with deep-rooted western democratic values and principles.

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