Malta

Malta is a small island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea, in Southern Europe. It sits just south of Sicily (Italy) – about 80 to 100 km across the water – and to its south lies North Africa, including Libya. This places Malta at a unique geographic crossroads between Europe and Africa.

Because of this central position, Malta has always been an important hub for trade, travel, and military control. Today it is known for its strong historical and cultural ties with nearby countries like Italy and Tunisia, and its deep blue Mediterranean waters make it easy to spot on any map – a tiny archipelago punching far above its size in history and influence.

Human activity in Malta began long before recorded history. The story stretches back to around 5000 BC – nearly 7,000 years ago – when early settlers arrived, most likely from nearby Sicily. These ancient communities laid the foundations of one of the Mediterranean’s earliest civilisations and built some of the world’s oldest free-standing temples, older than Egypt’s pyramids.

Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, and Ġgantija

These limestone temples were constructed before the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge, using massive stone blocks weighing several tons – without metal tools or the wheel. The builders aligned their temples with solar solstices, created intricate pottery, and carved stone figures of full-figured deities. All three sites are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean made it an important trading and military centre, prized by the great seafaring powers of the ancient world. Each wave of arrivals added another layer to Malta’s identity.

In 1530, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted Malta to the Order of the Knights of St. John – also known as the Knights Hospitaller – for the symbolic annual rent of a single Maltese falcon. The Knights were an elite Catholic military order made up of noblemen from across Europe, and they transformed Malta from a quiet island outpost into a major military, religious, and cultural centre.

They built strong forts, grand churches, hospitals, palaces, and impressive cities – many of which still attract visitors today. This period is widely seen as Malta’s golden age.

The Great Siege of 1565

This victory is one of the most celebrated in European history. To protect against future attacks, the Knights built a new heavily fortified capital city and named it Valletta in honour of their heroic Grand Master. The Knights ruled for over 250 years, funding magnificent baroque churches, opulent palaces, and masterpieces – including works by Caravaggio.

The Knights’ era ended when Napoleon captured Malta in 1798. French rule was short-lived – they plundered churches and quickly lost local support. The Maltese rebelled, sought British help, and by 1800 the French had surrendered. In 1814, Malta formally became part of the British Empire, developing into a vital naval base in the Mediterranean.

British rule introduced new administrative systems, the English language, and modernised naval dockyards. Malta became headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet – which made it a primary target during World War II.

The Bombing of Malta (1940-1942)

Between 1940 and 1942, Italian and German air forces carried out thousands of raids on Malta, aiming to break its resistance and cut off supplies.

Maltese civilians sheltered in rock-hewn underground tunnels and refused to give in. In recognition of this extraordinary courage, King George VI awarded Malta the George Cross in 1942 – the highest civilian gallantry honour, still proudly displayed on the Maltese national flag today.

After the war, Malta moved steadily toward self-government, gained independence in 1964, and became a republic in 1974.

Today, Malta is a proud, independent nation within the European Union and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Walking its streets, you can see the physical evidence of its layered history everywhere – in the architecture, the food, the language, and the way its people celebrate.

A Fast-Growing Economy & Europe’s iGaming Capital

Modern Malta is not just a tourist destination – it is one of the EU’s fastest-growing economies. Driven by tourism, financial services, technology, and a booming digital sector, Malta recorded one of the strongest GDP growth rates in the entire eurozone in recent years.

Malta was the first EU member state to regulate online gambling back in 2004, giving it a two-decade head start over rival jurisdictions. Today, hundreds of EU-licensed iGaming companies are headquartered here – from major operators to software developers, payment providers, and legal firms that serve the global industry. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is widely regarded as one of the most respected gambling regulators in the world, making a Malta licence the gold standard for operators targeting European markets.

Malta in the European Union

Famous places like Valletta, Mdina, Fort St. Elmo, the Blue Grotto, and the island of Gozo continue to showcase the unique charm that makes modern Malta so appealing to visitors from around the world.

Malta has two official languages, both widely used in everyday life.