Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a small country located on an archipelago consisting of seven islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. Specifically, it lies to the north of Libya, south of Sicily, and east of Tunisia. It is considered a Southern European country and is a member of the European Union.



Although being an island country makes Malta a unique place to vacation, its history makes it fascinating. In Malta you'll find what is believed to be the oldest freestanding structure in the entire world. It is an ancient megalithic temple called il-Ggantija, and it dates back to before 3500 BC. Another ancient temple, Hagar Qim, is located on a hilltop on the southern coast of Malta, which was built sometime between 3200 and 2500 BC.

The people who built the ancient temples either died out or moved on and the country was later colonized by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. The islands really began to develop, however, when the Romans took control of them in 218 BC. In fact, many of the old Roman structures still exist there.

Between AD 870 and 1091, Malta was ruled by the Arabs who introduced methods for growing citrus fruits and cotton as well as systems for irrigation. After the Arab rule ended, the Sicilian Normans moved in. Finally, in 1283 the County of Malta was established and so was the Maltese nobility. Many of the noble titles created at the time are still in use today.

In 1814 Malta was officially given to the British Empire as a result of the Treaty of Paris. Because of its location, it was an important port for trading ships. In World War II, Malta played such an essential role for ships that the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross by King George VI. A picture of the cross is still featured on a corner of the Flag of Malta.

Finally, on September 21, 1964 Malta was granted independence. For a time, Malta continued to recognize Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Malta and had a Governor-General who acted on her behalf. Then, in 1974, Malta became a republic and followed a president as head of state.

In 1980, Malta declared its policy of neutrality. Since then, it has been the location of some important political meetings, such as President George H.W. Bush's first meeting with Soviet leader Gorbachev in 1989, which signified the end of the Cold War.

The beautiful islands of Malta and their rich history attract thousands of vacationers every year. Fortunately, Malta is equipped with several hotels and holiday apartments to accommodate its many tourists.

Examples of hotels in Malta are:

Hilton Malta: This beautiful hotel that is part of the famous Hilton hotel chain is located at the heart of the Waterfront Development Portomosa. It features a stunning view of a yacht marina and a tree-lined promenade. The hotel offers onsite jet skiing, pool, and scuba diving.

Examples of holiday apartments in Malta are:

Villa in Zurrieq, Malta: This three bedroom villa sleeps up to six people. It is located on the southwest corner of the island close to historic sites. It is also just a short distance from swimming areas and the Marsa golf course.

The island nation of Malta offers so many fascinating things to see that you just may tire yourself out visiting them all. That's okay though-you'll find plenty of great places to stay at the end of your busy day.