Introduction
Malta is one of 3 inhabited islands in the Maltese Archipelago, located 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of Tunisia. Malta is remarkable - rich in culture and history; it contains some of the oldest known human structures in the world and contains amazing beaches.
History
Malta was inhabited from about 5000 BC by an ancient race that possibly arrived from Sicily, and built the Megalithic Temples in 3600BC. This race of people disappeared around 2500 BC and they are still shrouded in mystery. The Phoenicians arrived in 800 BC and stayed until the Romans gained control of the area is 208 BC. It is believed that the apostle Paul shipwrecked on the island in 60 AD and introduced Christianity to the Maltese People.
Arabs from northern Africa arrived in 870 and had a strong influence on the island; they introduced their culture, language, citrus fruits and cotton. The Normans from Sicily invaded in 1090 and controlled the island for 400 years. In 1530 power was handed over to Spain, then the Turks assaulted in 1565 for 3 months, but the Maltese troops held off. Napoleon invaded in 1798, and it was the British who came to Malta's rescue.
By 1814 Malta was a British colony. Britain used Malta as a naval base and during the Second World War the island was devastated. After this Malta wanted autonomy, and gained independence in 1964. After a brief flaunt with communism, Malta joined the EU in 2004.