Malta - Location
Malta is a group of Islands situated just south of Sicily and 288 km North of Tunisia. For centuries it has used this rather isolated position to become a nexus for trade. The populated islands are: Malta, Comino and Gozo.
The official languages are Maltese and English.
Climate in Malta
Summers are typically mediteranian: hot, dry and very sunny. Sea breezes sometimes cool you off, but in spring and fall the Sirocco from Africa may turn the islands into an oven. Winters are mild.
Currency
The Euro became the official currency of Malta on 1 January 2008, and the Maltese Lira will no longer be accepted in shops and hotels after 1 February 2008.
A Very Short History
Malta's megalithic structures date from around 3800 bc. They are unique. [See page 2 of this article for more on the temples.]
The Phoenicians arrived in 800 BC and stayed for 600 years. The Romans gobbled them up for the empire in 208 BC.
It is widely believed that the appostle Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in 60 AD (although this is disputed today by Biblical scholars). Arabs from North Africa arrived around 870, bringing citrus, cotton, and bits of language. Norman invaders from Sicily booted the Arabs 220 years later, holding sway for 400 years until the Emperor of Spain gave the islands to the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in exchange for a rent of 2 Maltese falcons a year. Over the course of the next 250 years or so the knights managed to save Europe from the Turks, but all the power and fame brought corruption and many turned to piracy. Napolean arrived in 1798 to take the islands from the worn-out knights, but the British turned around and booted the French. Malta became a British colony in 1814, the British turning it into a major army base. Malta achieved complete autonomy in 1964, flirted with communism for a while, and now is a candidate to join the European Union.
Cities to Visit
Valletta - The capital city built by the Knights of St. John is a great place to walk around in--it was one of the first towns to use a grid pattern for streets. St. John's Cathedral commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière represents some of the best work of Gerolamo Cassar and was one of the first buildings in the city.
Mdina and its suburb Rabat - the walled city of Mdina, home to Malta's noble families, has great atmosphere and restaurants.
Getting Around Malta
Busses are fabulous in both form and function. You can get almost anywhere on them. They supplanted the railway in 1905. APT, the trasport agency of Malta, has a short history of Malta's public transportation on its web page. In summer, there are frequent ferries to the populated islands. You can also take the slow road, riding in a horse-drawn Karrozin (see photo upper right). Car rental is possible. Driving is by British convention, of course--you drive on the left.
Getting to Malta by Air
Malta is well-connected with the rest of Europe. Air Malta operates frequent flights to European destinations.
Next page > The Archaeology of Malta > Page 1, 2,
