Malta has been described as one big open-air museum. What makes it unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Delve into the Islands' mysterious prehistory, retrace the footsteps of St Paul or see where the Knights of St John defended Christendom.
Mdina is the oldest inhabited place in Malta. It was the Phoenicians, who first founded Mdina 700 years before Christ. Under the Phoenicians it was known as Maleth (the protected city). After the Phoenicians, came the great empire builders - the Romans (218 BC - 535 AD).
Under the Romans it was known as Melita. Some historians say that the word Melita comes from an Italian word miele meaning honey. Other historians say that Melita comes from the Phoenician word Maleth.
The legacy of the Arabs on the Island is still found in the language, which stems mainly from Arabic. Many names of the towns and villages are Arabic in origin and some of the family names are Arabic in origin as well. Now Roman script is used, and Malta European in mentality, in arts, and in Religion.
But Malta is no regular museum. Here life is lived to the full, so make time for some living history and action. Visit locations where Oscar-winning blockbusters were filmed or go off the beaten track into ancient villages.
The real advantage of the country Malta is it’s tiny size. In just 48 hours and a kilometer or two, you can try a new sport, laze on an island cruise, tour the most important historic sites and still have the time to join in the nightlife. The year round sun and mild winter make your time even more agreeable.
Four main islands comprise the Maltese Archipelago - Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited; Fifla is not. Cominotto and the two islets collectively known as St Paul’s Islands are also uninhabited. The Maltese Islands cover an area of 316 square kilometres (Malta 246, Gozo 67, Comino 2.7). The population of the Islands was 381,464 at the end of September 2000.
A regular ferry service carries passengers and cars in 30 minutes to Gozo. From both Malta and Gozo regular trips are available to and from Comino, an island with no trafic and one hotel.
Bilingual, with strong historic and cultural links to Britain, the people speak both Maltese and English, which makes Malta an enjoyable place to learn or practise english.
Since May 1st 2004 Malta is part of the European Union, but not yet the Euro Zone. The currency is the Maltese Lira (MTL). In general, 1 MTL equals approximately 2,4 EUR or 1,6 GBP.
Malta is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT in winter and 2 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. |
