THE ROAD TO MALTA

Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers -

Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean, some 90 km south of Sicily. The tiny archipelago consists of three inhabited islands; Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta has around 400,000 inhabitants, making Malta one of the most densely populated countries. The national language is Maltese, but English also has official status, and many Maltese also speak Italian.

Malta has a subtropical climate, and beautiful coral seas. Given its central location in the Mediterranean, Malta has been courted throughout the centuries, not least in times of war. Over time, the islands have been under Phoenician, Arab, Norman and British rule. From 1530-1798, the country was under rule of the Knights Hospitaller.

During World War II, Malta once again came into focus ,because of its geographical proximity to Italy. The islands were bombed by the Axis Powers, and Malta received the George Cross for civilian bravery during the war. The cross is now part of Malta's flag.

Malta became partially independent on the 21st of September, 1964, after having been under British rule for 174 years. Only 10 years later, in 1974, Malta was granted its total independence from Britain, and became a republic. Malta joined the European Union on the 1st of May, 2004, as the Union's smallest country.