Europe
CITE
We have made every effort to follow citation style rules, but there may be some minor differences. If in doubt, please refer to the appropriate citation style manual.
Malta. (2022). In Q-files Encyclopedia, Geography, Europe. Retrieved from
https://www.q-files.com/geography/europe/malta
"Malta." Geography, Europe, Q-files Encyclopedia, 10 Feb. 2022.
https://www.q-files.com/geography/europe/malta.
Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Malta 2022. Geography, Europe. Retrieved 19 March 2024, from
https://www.q-files.com/geography/europe/malta
Geography, Europe, s.v. "Malta," accessed March 19, 2024.
https://www.q-files.com/geography/europe/malta
Malta
Lying just south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea is the island nation of Malta. For centuries, its strategic position has made it an irresistible target for major empires, including the ancient Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs. More recently it was under British control. Malta is made up of the main island, Malta, along with the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino (Kemmuna) and several tiny islets. Much of Malta is made up of hilly scrubland with few all trees. The coastline is rocky, with sandy beaches. Malta has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, warm winters.
People
The Maltese people are descended from ancient Phoenician and Mediterranean peoples. They speak Maltese, a language with both Arabic and Latin influences. English and Italian are also widely spoken today. Roman Catholicism is followed by almost everybody—each village is centred around a Catholic church. Malta is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. It faces the problems of a rapidly growing population, partly because of the arrival of migrants from North Africa.
Economy
Malta’s position on a major trade route between Europe and Africa has made shipping an important industry for centuries. When the Suez Canal opened in 1869, it charged ships to stop its docks for refuelling. Today’s modern merchant ships need to call less often, and although Malta’s ports are still important, the country’s largest source of income has shifted towards tourism. With its sunny climate, sandy beaches and ancient ruins, the island attracts over a million tourists each year.
Consultant: Nicholas Harris
Facts about Malta
Population 475,700
Area 316 sq km
Highest point Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (830 ft)
Capital Valetta, population 394,000
Other major cities Birkirkara (pop. 21,676), Qormi (18,230)
Languages Maltese, English, Italian
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 98%, others 2%
Ethnicity Maltese
Currency Euro (EUR)
Chief exports machinery, fuels, medicines, printed books, newspapers, aircraft parts, games, sports equipment
History of Malta
3500 BC
Large, free-standing temples are built on the island of Gozo
800–332 BC
Phoenicians settle on the islands
480 BC
Malta is used as a naval base by Carthage, an old Phoenician colony
218 BC
Malta is invaded by the Romans and becomes part of the Roman Empire
395
Roman Empire splits into two, and rule of Malta passes to the Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire)
870
Arab Muslims invade and occupy Malta, destroying and looting major buildings
1091
Normans conquer Malta and make it part of the Kingdom of Sicily, which includes the island of Sicily and the southern part of Italy
1194–1266
Malta is ruled by the German monarchs of the House of Hohenstaufen
1224
King Frederick II orders the island’s Muslims to leave or convert to Christianity
1530
Holy Roman Emperor Emperor Charles V leases the island to a group of exiled knights called the Knights Hospitaller. The rent they have to pay for the island is called the “Tribute of the Maltese Falcon”
1675
Plague strikes the island, killing around 11,000 of a population of 60,000
1798
The Knights become unpopular and are ousted by Napoleon Bonaparte; French troops remain on the island
1814
Malta becomes a crown colony of the British Empire, which uses it as the headquarters for its Mediterranean shipping fleet
1939–45
During World War II, Malta is heavily bombed by German and Italian air forces targeting Allied bases
1942
The people of Malta are awarded the George Cross by Britain for their bravery in defending the island during World War II
1947
Malta is granted self-government
1964
The island becomes independent from Britain
1974
Malta becomes a republic with a president, instead of a monarch, as head of state
1979
British military base on Malta is closed down and British forces leave
2004
Malta joins the European Union (EU)
2008
Malta adopts the euro as its currency
2009
Pope Benedict XVI makes pilgrimage to Malta, following in footsteps of St Paul, who was shipwrecked on the island nearly 2000 years previously
2017
(March) Azure Window, a limestone arch on the northern island of Gozo, collapses into the sea amid heavy storms
2017
(October) Reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia is killed by a car bomb after campaigning against government corruption. Mass protests force the authorities to allow an independent public inquiry
2020
(January) Prime Minister Joseph Muscat resigns as a result of the political crisis following the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia. He is succeeded as prime minister by Robert Abela