Malta in Brief
Travel to Malta and you'll see remnants of 7000 years of
history, some of which still exists today. Take the familiar eight-pointed
Maltese Cross, the cross still symbolizes both the Beatitudes and the eight
obligations of the Knights of St.John, live in truth, have faith, repent of
sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and
whole-hearted and endure persecution.
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. (See our Interactive Map)
Climate in Malta
Summers are typically Mediterranean. They are 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. (Read more)
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. (See Current Exchange Rates)
A Very Short History
Malta's megalithic structures date from around 3800 BC. They are unique. The
Phoenicians arrived in 800 BC and stayed for 600 years. The Romans claimed
them these megalithic structures for the empire in 208 BC.
It is widely believed that the apostle 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. Napoleon 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 joined the European Union in 2008.
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 a great atmosphere and quaint restaurants. (Read more)
Getting Around Malta
Busses are fabulous in both form and function. You can get almost anywhere
on them. They supplanted the railway in 1905. ADT, the transport agency of
Malta, has a short history of Malta's public transportation on its web page.
In summer, there are frequent ferries to the sister islands. You can also
take the slow road, riding in a horse-drawn Karrozin. Car rentals are
everywhere. Driving is by British convention, on the left hand side. |
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