Like
a kaleidoscope of different civilizations, Malta is a celebration of sea
and the sun. An invitation to visit these beautiful islands in the Mediterranean...
Found
in the heart of the Mediterranean, 60 miles south of Sicily it is made
up of Malta, the largest island, Gozo
and Comino. Like a kaleidoscope of different civilizations, Malta has preserved
all the traces of its extraordinary past. From time immemorial, its beauty,
honey-colored stone and natural harbors had a reputation and influence.
Like a stone vessel at the
gates of Africa, Malta is a celebration of sea and sun. From its first
inhabitants, who built the colossal megalithic temples, to the terraced
fields, inherited from the Arabs, baroque churches, the Phoenicinas, Carthaginians,
Romans, Normans, Knights of St. John, whose Order created the first visionary
state, the French and the British, all left a historical legacy there.
For the accident of geography has placed Malta on the crossroad between
East and West, between Europe to the north and Africa to the south. The
island stands like a statute at the entrance of the East Mediterranean
sea. Where for five thousand years, it has participated in the rise and
fall of empires, in the birth and growth of religions, and holocaust of
bloody wars. Soon the Mediterranean basin begun to be dominated by more
war like nations. Over the period of a thousand years, the Greeks, Etruscans,
Persians, and Carthaginians attempted the domination of the Mediterranean
and its lucrative trade routes. In midst of its all, coming with each and
single power to terms, like a pool in a vast multinational game of chess,
stood the small island of Malta.
* FIVE THOUSAND YEARS
OF HISTORY As the sun sets over the blue Mediterranean, 5000 years
of history leaves an unforgettable image. Here tones have a soul. Some
5000 year ago, the island of Malta witnessed the first traces of man. Dozen
of mysterious megalithic temples were built all over the islands. The huge
stone complexes, which make the temples of Ggantija, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra,
Tarxien and Hypogeum at Hal Saflient, thrill with imagination.
Originally, situated as a
land bridge linking Europe and Africa, the first settlers may have come
from Sicily with their traditional farming methods and their stone crafts.
Malta must have been a paradise island. To celebrate this, the islanders
dedicated their temples and status to the mother-goddess of fertility.
The mysterious disappearance of these highly artistic people in the Second
millennium was followed by waves of new settlers. Malta was open to a number
of new civilizations, particular from the East of the Mediterranean.
THE
KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN During the Punic wars, the Maltese islands were
invaded by the Romans. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Greek, the Carthaginians,
all left their traces on the islands before yielding them to the Arabs
and then the Normans. But it was the Knights of St. John who made them
a player in the cultural area of 17th and 18th century Europe.
THE ARABS By the year
800 the Arab Empire had expanded to encompass Persia, Syria, North Africa
and most of Spain including Sicily and Malta. For the Maltese, the 200
years of Arab rule were a time of peace and stability. Agricultural methods
were revolutionized with new techniques of irrigation and the introduction
of many new crops. Among them cotton, lemon, olives and figs. The Arabs
presence was beneficial for Malta and for Europe. They brought new mathematics,
art, sciences, assimilated from all countries of their empire. Europe has
barley recovered from the dark ages from Gotts and Vandals. The Arab brought
light in a world of shadow.
VALLETTA A CITY OF BEAUTY
AND A SITE OF WORLD HERITAGE The capital of Malta bears the name of
the French Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette who successfully defended the
islands against Ottoman attack. It was the first city built according to
detailed plans and its superb fortifications made it an impregnable citadel.
It is simultaneously a masterpiece of military architecture, a cultural
center, and a site of world heritage.
MDINA THE SILENT CITY
The old capital of Malta - the city of Mdina - is a typical medieval town,
situated in the center of the island. Named "the silent city", it is a
place of doors and walls, not of people. It commands a magnificent view
of the island.
THE ISLAND OF HONEY
The island main treasure is its stone, a type of limestone which traps
the light in its corners, its panel and its curves. This golden stone,
which earned Malta the name of Melita "the island of honey", has inspired
its architecture.
THE MALTESE Malta
loves to celebrate and sparkle, religious feasts, carnivals, commemorative
events, everything is a good excuse for rejoicing. The Maltese have a flair
for decoration. The people of these small islands, can reflect on a rich
and eventful history. From this experience has grown an unique culture,
and a people who despite of their past - or perhaps because of it - remain
cheerful and friendly to all.
THE SIROCCO The "sirocco"
kneads your breath and clays it. It is a strange wind the sirocco - one
is neither here not there. You are neither of the earth nor the sky. It
gives you that feeling. Lights of ships shimmer on the water of Malta Grand
Harbor. The harbor now seems no bigger than a toy. The flat seawater like
silver, and clouds rise like leaves. A place of light, of luminous valleys
under thunderous clouds. There is the smell of wet earth. The smell of
forgiveness drifting from each house with the smell of varnish and a peace
that drifted out to the empty beach.
MALTA IN BRIEF Country
name: Republic of Malta Capital: Valletta Language: Maltese (official),
English (official) Archipelago with only three largest islands inhabited,
Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo and Kemmuna or Comino Population: 391,670. Maltese
are descendants of ancient Carthaginians, and Phoenicians Area: 326 sq
km, coastline 140 km Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and
hot, dry summer Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land (38 percent)
Environmental issues: limited natural fresh water resources, increased
desalination. Economy: major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic
location, labor force. The economy is largely dependent on foreign trade,
ship building and repair, construction, manufacturing, tourism and services.
Malta is also the newest
EU member state.
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