In the second installment of the "Europe's Least Known Countries", we head south of Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean to a cluster of islands that have been of extreme historical significance, Malta. This country of 400,000 inhabitants resembles Hawaii in the US. There are three main inhabited islands and numerous others. Malta is generally warm, attributing its relatively stable climate to the Mediterranean that surrounds it.
Being in the middle of this sea has been Malta's blessing and it's curse in that, throughout history, the islands have benfited from being a trading post for Europe yet also a strategic base for many different armies and navies: Phoenicians, Romans, Sicilians, The Knight's of St. John, French and English to name a few. In fact, it wasn't until the early 20th century that the English granted autonomy to Malta. Currently, the official languages are English and Maltes.
So why would any traveller want to go to Malta? Well, like any predominantly Roman Catholic country, Malta provides many beautiful churches for you to see. Also, its cuisine is superb, being your traditional Mediterranean fare (lots of seafood, yummy, yummy seafood) with an Italian approach. Sicily is on a few hundred miles away. Also, Malta boasts the oldest freestanding structures in Europe, the Megalithic Temples. This UNESCO site was made in approximately 3600 BC! Stonehenge, eat your heart out. For all you history buffs. Malta is an offical member of EU, allowing you free access to visit from any other EU country once you've entered.
I have always heard of Malta as an important part of history, but I certainly did not know it was an actual country! If you've been to Malta, share your experiences with us and let us all know how the trip went. We look forward to hearing from you!
Being in the middle of this sea has been Malta's blessing and it's curse in that, throughout history, the islands have benfited from being a trading post for Europe yet also a strategic base for many different armies and navies: Phoenicians, Romans, Sicilians, The Knight's of St. John, French and English to name a few. In fact, it wasn't until the early 20th century that the English granted autonomy to Malta. Currently, the official languages are English and Maltes.
So why would any traveller want to go to Malta? Well, like any predominantly Roman Catholic country, Malta provides many beautiful churches for you to see. Also, its cuisine is superb, being your traditional Mediterranean fare (lots of seafood, yummy, yummy seafood) with an Italian approach. Sicily is on a few hundred miles away. Also, Malta boasts the oldest freestanding structures in Europe, the Megalithic Temples. This UNESCO site was made in approximately 3600 BC! Stonehenge, eat your heart out. For all you history buffs. Malta is an offical member of EU, allowing you free access to visit from any other EU country once you've entered.I have always heard of Malta as an important part of history, but I certainly did not know it was an actual country! If you've been to Malta, share your experiences with us and let us all know how the trip went. We look forward to hearing from you!
I really want to go here
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