Malta: Water And Light

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.

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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 memeber state

Over a million tourists visit the islands annually.