|
About Malta:
 Malta
is an archipelago of islands about halfway between
Sicily and North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea, and
Malta is therefore the most southerly European country.
The archipelago consists of five islands: Malta,
Gozo and Comino, plus two uninhabited
islands Cominetto and Filfla. The total
land area of the Maltese islands is approximately 316 sq
kms (Malta 246 sq km, Gozo 67 sq km, Comino 2.7 sq km).
The distance in Malta from North West to South East is
approximately 27 km, and 14.5 kms in width. Set 90 km
south of Sicily and 290 km from the northern coast of
Africa it is situated in one of the most naturally
beautiful parts of the world.
Malta is strategically positioned and
has been a point of contention through history as
nations fought for control of the Mediterranean, using
Malta as a stepping-stone between Europe and North
Africa. The long and colourful history of the islands
involves the Stone-Age and Bronze-Age people, Romans and
Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans and Carthaginians,
Castilians, French and British; from whom Malta finally
became independent in 1964. During it's history Malta
has withstood untold bombardment and damage from the
likes of Napoleon Bonaparte, who only managed an
occupation of the islands lasting 6 days; and Hitler,
inflicting heavy bombing on the islands during World War
II. The reserve and reluctance to surrender to the
Fascist powers saw Malta deservedly receive the George
Cross medal from King George VI (April 1942) which it
depicts as part of its national flag to this day.
 The
Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a
religious and multinational order of soldiers and
hospitaliers, have had a significant influence in the
history of Malta. The cross of St. John, recognised
universally as the Maltese Cross, is the insignia of the
Knights of Malta. And you've heard of the Maltese
falcon—the Mediterranean peregrine falcon—which was the
annual rent required by Roman Emperor Charles V when he
donated the Island to the Knights in 1530.
At first the Knights were not pleased with the gift of
the islands from Roman Emperor Charles V when he donated
it to them after their hurried departure from the island
of Rhodes. The Knights found the land to be too rugged,
dry and rocky.
The Knights, however, left their most
permanent mark on Malta after they successfully defended
it from the expansion seeking Turkish Ottoman Empire in
a furious battle whilst under siege in 1565. The Knights
went on to remain in charge of Malta for a total of 270
years, building magnificent churches and lavish
monuments to themselves before finally losing power to
Napoleon Bonaparte and the French empire in 1889.
Malta has two official languages which are Maltese and
English. The British colonised Malta for around 160
years and their legacy is left behind in the English
language. Maltese, a close linguistic cousin of Arabic,
is the only Semitic language which is written in Roman
alphabet. Italian, too, is widely spoken among the
younger generation, particularly due to modern cultural
aspects such as TV, music and film.
 Malta
thrives on its Tourist industry which is its most
lucrative, and the Maltese people have a friendly and
welcoming way towards all visitors. Over the centuries
Malta has seen mass migration away from its shores,
depositing Maltese people all around the world. Despite
being one of the smallest nations on the planet Malta is
steeped in history like no other place, it offers some
of the most breath-taking scenery and is quite possibly
the friendliest place on earth!
|
