"Bongu. Jisimni Joan" Malta by seagoingJLW

Malta Travel Guide: 6,177 reviews and 11,777 photos

Malta is an interesting island. There are buildings from the Knights Templar, and also prehistoric ruins. The Maltese developed a unique language and culture in which you can detect Italian, Arabic, English, Jewish, French, and Spanish influences.

History

The first settlers arrived in Malta around 5000BC, probably by boat from Sicily. New arrivals, from 3600-2500BC brought with them a new culture and religion. They built impressive megolithic temples-- the oldest free standing buildings in the world. In 2500BC invaders took over Malta and the old civilization died out.

Phoenician traders esrablished a base on the island in the ninth century BC, followed by the Carthaginians in the fifth century BC. From the third to the first centuries BC the Romans and Carthaginians were at war. The Romans pillaged Malta in the First Punic War and came to stay in 218BC. The Maltese were given municipal privileges by Rome in 41BC. Then, in 60AD St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta. He converted the Roman governor and the islanders to Christianity.

When the Roman Empire split in the fourth century, Malta became part of Byzantium. Then Arabs invaded and occupied Malta in the ninth century.

Norman knights captured Malta from the Arabs in 1090. Successive invasions followed, by Byzantium, the Swabians (Germans), the Angevins (French), and the Aragonese (Spanish.)

In the sixteenth century, King Charles V of Spain, Holy Roman Emperor, gave Malta to the Order of St. John. In 1565, Suleyman the Magnificent besieged Malta for four months with 30,000 troops. The knights repelled the troops and set about building a magnificent city, Valetta.

In 1798, Napoleon's forces invaded, expelled the knights and looted island churches. With the help of the British, the Maltese struck back and threw the French out. Britain took Malta under its protection, with Malta becoming a British Crown Colony in 1814.

Italy's first target in WWII, along with Germany, was Malta. The Maltese moved into caves, but Allied reinforcements came and put the Axis on the defensive.

Malta won its independence from Britain in 1964 with the last British forces leaving in 1979.

Miscellaneous Information

The Maltese Islands are in the Mediterranen Sea about 100 km from Sicily and 290 km from north Africa. The island of Malta is 390 sq km. Gozo is 65 sq km and Comino is 2.5 sq km.

The population is approximately 350,000. It is homogeneous with its own identity and language. the official languages are Maltese and English, but Italian is also spoken.

Malta has a typically temperate climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures range between 14 degrees C in winter and 32 degrees C in summer. There are about 300 days of sunshine per year and 550 mm average rainfall.

Valetta is the capital city and seat of government. Executive power rests with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Parliament is composed of 65 representatives, elected every five years.

The electrical supply is 240 volts, single phase, 50 cycles. Thirteen amp, three pin, rectangular sockets are used on Malta.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Some very interesting locations to visit
Cons:Climbing the hill from the ship to Valletta
In a nutshell:It's a nice place to visit

Last visit to Malta: May 2001
Intro Updated Apr 4, 2004
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Reviews (13)

Take some time to walk along... Off The Beaten Path (3)

Take some time to walk along the city walls and terraces overlooking the waterfront. You will see ships of all types and... more travel advice

The most important places to... Things to Do (1)

The most important places to visit in Valetta are St. John's Co-Cathedral, Palace of the Grand Masters (pictured here,)... more travel advice

We came by ship. Here is the... Transportation (3)

We came by ship. Here is the Maasdam in Valetta, Malta. more travel advice

All the taxis are metered, but... - Malta

All the taxis are metered, but... Tourist Traps (1)

All the taxis are metered, but the meters don't always work. Ask the driver beforehand what the fare will be. more travel advice

Favorites (4)
See All In Malta we saw a boat with a...

Restaurants (1)
Local Cuisine

Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 9, 2003

6 photos

Ruins of Neolithic Temples in Malta

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Comments (23)

tini58de Jul 12, 2002 at 1:05 PM Report Abuse

The archeological sites and the buses were my absolute favori
ATLC Jun 7, 2002 at 5:45 AM Report Abuse

Lovely island. Going next year!
patrikske Jun 6, 2002 at 1:25 PM Report Abuse

Lovely Malta page !
chrissyalex Mar 13, 2002 at 2:37 PM Report Abuse

Enjoyed reading the history,pretty pics too
brdwtchr Feb 7, 2002 at 3:12 PM Report Abuse

Good pics. What kinds of crafts do they make. I`d go to Marit
maritagnes Oct 10, 2001 at 8:38 AM Report Abuse

Great Malta page - brings back memories!
paul002 Sep 29, 2001 at 7:30 AM Report Abuse

Great
jayhawk2000 Aug 30, 2001 at 3:22 AM Report Abuse

Lovely photos!
Maltaboy Jul 29, 2001 at 3:58 PM Report Abuse

Excellent pictures
dewaele.j Jun 21, 2001 at 11:40 AM Report Abuse

great site