Portal:Malta

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Location of Malta in the World

Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a small island nation comprising an archipelago of seven islands (Malta, Gozo (Għawdex) Comino (Kemmuna) Filfla, Cominotto (Kemmunett) Manoel, Selmunett (St.Paul's Islands)) in the Mediterranean Sea. A country of Southern Europe, Malta lies south of Sicily, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The country's official languages are Maltese and English. Roman Catholicism is the most practised religion. The islands constituting the Maltese nation have been ruled by various powers and fought over by many states for centuries. Malta has been a member state of the European Union (EU) since 2004 and it is currently the smallest EU country both in population and in area.


Selected Article

A Malta convoy in the Gulf of Sirte

The Malta Convoys were a series of Allied supply convoys to sustain the Mediterranean island of Malta during World War II. The convoys were strongly opposed by Italian and German sea and air forces.

Malta's geographical position, halfway between the strategic British bases at Gibraltar and Alexandria, close to the Sicilian Channel between Sicily and Tunis and on the sea route between Italy and its possessions in Libya, made it a vital base for control of the Mediterranean sea routes. For Britain this was the short route, via the Suez Canal, to its colonies in India, East Africa and the Far East and also to the major oil producers of Iraq and Iran.

During the first year of the war, however, this region was a military backwater. Much of the coast was under Allied control - either French or British: the rest was neutral. Moreover, the British and French fleets dominated; the only other effective regional naval power was Italy, but at this time she was neutral. As a result, British defences on Malta were neglected. (more...)

Selected Locality

Xewkija (or Ix-Xewkija) is a village on the island of Gozo, Malta. The population of Xewkija is 3,115, that is the fourth largest in Gozo. Xewkija, which is situated between Ghajnsielem and the capital town, Victoria, is the oldest village in Gozo. It became the first parish outside Victoria on the 27th November 1678. It was separated from the Matrix by Bishop Glormu Molina and Dun Grezz Farrugia from Valletta, became its first parish priest. It became the first district 'contrada' to be known as 'casale' or village. (more...)

Selected Picture

Work of art created by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist is a painting finished in 1608 by the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio. It is housed in the St. John's Co-Cathedral of Valletta, Malta. The most important painting that Caravaggio made in Malta, it is one of Caravaggio's most extraordinary creations, and many people consider it is his greatest masterpiece.

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Malta topics

History Prehistory | Phoenicians and Carthaginians | Roman | Arab rule | Norman and Sicilian rule | Hospitaller rule | Great Siege | French occupation | British protectorate | British colony | Siege of Malta (World War II) | George Cross Award | Independence | EU Membership
Geography Caves of Malta | Fortifications of Malta | Maps of Malta | Islands of Malta | List of cities in Malta
Politics Constitution of Malta | President of Malta | House of Representatives of Malta | Political parties | Foreign relations | Elections | Local Councils of Malta | Armed Forces of Malta
Economy Maltese Lira (Coins of the Maltese lira) | Euro (Maltese Euro Coins ) | Companies | Central Bank of Malta | Retailing in Malta | Trade unions in Malta
Demographics Languages (Maltese, English) | Catholic Church (Archbishop of Malta)
Culture Music | Cuisine | Theatres in Malta | Maltese literature
Other Communications| Transportation | Universities | Flag | Coat of Arms of Malta | Flags and symbols of Malta | Holidays | List of Maltese people | Malta exiles

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