Malta — map and facts

About Malta

Malta is a small Mediterranean archipelago nation south of Sicily, with a population of approximately 520,000 spread across three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Its capital is Valletta, one of the smallest and most concentrated capital cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Malta became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964 and a republic in 1974; it joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008. The official languages are Maltese — a unique Semitic language written in the Latin script, with Arabic roots and significant Italian and English influence — and English. Malta is a major maritime hub, a popular tourist destination with its warm climate and archaeological sites, and a growing financial services and iGaming centre.

Geography and Landscape

Malta sits in the central Mediterranean, about 93 kilometres south of Sicily and 288 kilometres north of the Libyan coast. The islands are relatively flat, with no rivers or mountains, and the highest point is Ta' Dmejrek at 253 metres. The landscape is characterised by limestone terraces, ancient cart ruts, and dramatic cliffsides, especially on Gozo. The coastline is rugged and deeply indented with natural harbours — Grand Harbour in Valletta is one of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. The islands have a hot Mediterranean climate with long, dry, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. Fresh water is scarce; Malta relies heavily on desalination. Despite its small size, Malta has a rich biodiversity of birds and marine life, with important migratory bird routes passing through.

History

Malta has been continuously inhabited since around 5900 BC. The ?al Saflieni Hypogeum and the megalithic ?gantija temples on Gozo predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans successively controlled the islands. Arab rule from 870 to 1091 left a permanent linguistic legacy in Maltese. Norman and subsequent medieval rulers were followed by the Knights of St John (Knights Hospitaller), who were granted Malta by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1530 and defended the island against the Great Siege by the Ottomans in 1565. Napoleon seized Malta in 1798, but the British took control in 1800 and formally received it under the 1814 Treaty of Paris. Malta played a crucial role in the Second World War and was awarded the George Cross collectively by King George VI. Independence came on 21 September 1964.