Where is Malta located in the Mediterranean?
Malta is an island country in Southern Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. The archipelago lies 80 km south of Italy, 284 km east of Tunisia, and 333 km north of Libya.
Questions about Malta
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the name Malta mean?
The name Malta derives from the ancient Greek Melítē, which literally means "place of honey" or "sweetness." Some scholars instead trace it to a Phoenician or Punic word, Maleth, meaning "haven," "refuge," or "port."
When was Malta first inhabited?
Malta has been inhabited since at least 6500 BC, during the Mesolithic, when hunter-gatherers likely from Sicily arrived. To reach the island they crossed around 100 km of open water, the longest known sea crossing by hunter-gatherers in the Mediterranean.
Why did the Knights Hospitaller rule Malta?
On the 23rd of March 1530, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, gave Malta to the Knights Hospitaller under Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, in perpetual lease for an annual tribute of a single Maltese Falcon. The Order ruled Malta and Gozo from 1530 to 1798.
Why does Malta have the George Cross on its flag?
King George VI awarded the George Cross to Malta on a collective basis on the 15th of April 1942, honouring the bravery of the Maltese people during the Second World War siege. A depiction of the George Cross now appears on the flag of Malta and the country's arms.
When did Malta become independent and join the European Union?
Malta achieved independence on the 21st of September 1964 and established its current parliamentary republic on the 13th of December 1974. It joined the European Union on the 1st of May 2004 and the eurozone on the 1st of January 2008.