With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic ten years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.
Tourism Information...
www.visitmalta.com
The Best of Malta...
Malta's Most Popular Sights...
Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit.
Comino Island
The Blue Lagoon
Gozo
Ġgantija Temples
Kalkara
Fort Rinella
Mdina
Old City
Mġarr
Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples
Paola
Ħal-Safliene Hypogeum
Tarxien Temples
Qrendi
Ħagar Qim Temples
Mnajdra Temples
Rabat
Valletta
Lascaris War Rooms
St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Valletta Waterfront
Wied iz-Zurrieq
The Blue Grotto
Żebbiegħ
Skorba Temples
Regions of Malta…
Gozo
Malta Majjistral
Malta Xlokk
Country Information...
Great Britain formally acquired Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964; a decade later it declared itself a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.
Capital
Valletta
Largest City
Bikirkara
Government
Parliamentary Republic
Currency
Euro (€)
Area
316 km² total:ranked 200th
Population
415,196 (July 2016 est.) ranked 176th
Language
Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religion
Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2011 est.)
Regions of Malta…