A map of the Mediterranean clearly places Malta in its centre.

Malta’s story is woven by Mediterranean and European history. Its Neolithic temples, its magnificent churches and palaces, its architecture, today’s modern life-style reflect in part the arrival (and subsequent departure) of civilisations: the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, the French, for a handful of years, and the British from 1800 to 1964, when Malta gained her Independence.

Malta is a sovereign, neutral State and a member of the UN and the British Commonwealth.  Malta is a member of the European Union and as from March 2008 will form part of the Schengen zone for air borders.  It already forms part of Schengen for sea borders.

The country enjoys a high standard of living, political and economic stability under a western-style, parliamentary system with provisions for a democratic alternation of power.

Malta’s national carrier, Air Malta, connects the island to European, Scandinavian and North African capitals.  In-flights are operated by the world’s major airlines and most of the major low-cost airlines. 

Malta has a thriving tourism sector.  International hotel groups have established themselves on the island, which offers the million visitors who arrive, annually, a land where Neolithic temples, palaces, churches, museums, sea, blue skies compete for attention. Tourism accounts for 25% of the island’s GDP.

• The national currency is Euro.

• The island enjoys a pleasant climate, warm summers (hot in August) and mild winters.

• The island’s official languages are Maltese and English. Legislation is printed in both.