Some 29,000 people live there. In between Malta and Gozo is the small island of Comino, where only one family lives permanently, but the island is much visited by tourists because of the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered bay with crystal clear water. Furthermore there are some uninhabited islands, like St. Paul’s Island in the north and Filfla in the south.
History
Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island “Malat”, meaning “safe haven”.
The history of these small islands is one of conquest and colonizers. It’s strategic position in the Mediterranean, in between Europe and Africa, half way Gibraltar and the Middle East made it a perfect stronghold for the consecutive colonizers. The Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Angevins, the Aragonese, the Knights of Saint John and the British were amongst them – all with just one goal: to control the middle of the Mediterranean.
Traces of these cultures can still be found in Malta. Phoenician tombs are still quite numerous throughout the island. The Roman Villa and early Christian catacombs in Rabat can be visited. The ancient city of Mdina bears traces of its Arab past. The capital city of Valletta is an open history book on the era of the Knights of St. John. In 1800, Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire. The Maltese gained their independence from the British in 1964 and the country would continue as a sovereign state and republic. This is celebrated as Independence Day.The British influence is obvious as well: left hand driving, British phone booths, it’s all there!
But there is more! Dating back to 3600 BC are the megalithic temples, huge stone structures, built for the veneration of the Goddess of Fertility. These stone structures are considered to be the oldest free standing buildings in the world.. Before the arrival of the British, the language of the educated elite had been Italian, but this was increasingly downgraded by the increased use of English. In 1934, English and Maltese were declared the sole official languages. During the Second World War, being a British colony, situated close to Sicily, Malta was bombarded by the Italian and German air forces. Malta was used by the British to launch attacks on the Italian navy and had a submarine base. Since May 2004, Malta is a member of the European Union and a popular tourist destination for many Europeans.
Weather and Climate
Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot, dry, and very sunny whilst the winters are mild and a little rainy. During May to October temperatures average around 32°C with around 10-11 hours of sunshine average per day.
Between November and April temperatures average around 14°C but still with an average of 6.5 hours of sunshine each day. Annual rainfall in Malta is low and during the summer months there can be very long dry spells without a drop of rain.
Swimming is possible all year round with the sea temperature rarely dropping below 15°C and reaching as high as 28°C. For more information about the weather in Malta has to, please follow this link.
Activities
Typical of the Mediterranean lifestyle, the Islanders’ approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as possible. Nightlife on the Islands is always bustling – even if the vibrant calendar of events is lean during some periods, there are always scores of clubs to visit, excellent wine bars and first-rate restaurants to try. The Islands have an effervescent calendar of cultural events to see, such as the Summer Malta Arts Festival, the Valletta Baroque Festival, the Opera Festival, the Choir Festival and the International Jazz Festival held in July. Over the years, Malta has become an attractive destination for a number of reasons. Apart from the wonderful climate and Mediterranean life, a small island that offers all kinds of activities to suit all interests.
