Overview
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea. Situated between Sicily and North Africa, it consists of an archipelago positioned 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya.
The country has a population of approximately 574,000 spread over an area of 316 km² (122 sq mi), making it the world's tenth-smallest country by area and the ninth-most densely populated. Malta is often described as a city-state due to its urban character. The capital is Valletta, which holds the distinction of being the smallest capital city in the European Union by both area and population.
Language and Culture
Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English, with Maltese recognized as the national language. The country's history of foreign rule and its proximity to both Europe and North Africa have deeply influenced its art, music, cuisine, and architecture. Malta maintains close historical and cultural ties to Sicily and was an early centre of Christianity. Catholicism is the state religion, though the constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religious worship.
History
The island of Malta has been inhabited since at least 6500 BC during the Mesolithic period. Its strategic location in the centre of the Mediterranean has given it significant geostrategic importance throughout history, with numerous powers ruling the islands and shaping its culture.
Malta's rulers have included:
- In antiquity: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans
- During the Middle Ages: Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese
- In the modern era: the Knights Hospitaller, French, and British
Malta came under British rule in the early 19th century and served as the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. During World War II, the islands were sieged by Axis powers and later served as an Allied base for North Africa and the Mediterranean. Malta gained independence in 1964 and established its current parliamentary republic in 1974.
Since independence, Malta has become a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. It joined the European Union in 2004 and the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Economy and Tourism
Malta is now a developed country with an advanced, high-income economy that is heavily reliant on tourism. The country attracts travellers with its warm climate, recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments.