A long history. English language learning. Beautiful climate. Crystal clear blue seas. Raving nightlife.

All these have become synonymous with the beautiful island of Malta. An island nation 93 km off the coast of Sicily, it is located in the Mediterranean sea, which gives the island a warm and pleasant climate all year round.

Malta boasts a long and varied history, being held by several ancient cultures including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Sicilians, French and English amongst others. The island is commonly associated with the Knights Hospitaller who ruled it for 268 years, building many of the structures which are still standing and popular to this day. The Knights’ rule, along with the historic Biblical shipwreck of St. Paul on the island, ingrained the strong Roman Catholic legacy which is still the official and most practiced religion in Malta today.

The country’s official languages are Maltese and English, although there are strong historical ties to the Italian language on the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and is a member of the European Union which it joined in 2004, in addition to being part of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. The Euro was introduced in Malta in 2008, making Malta an even more attractive destination for European nationals who also hold the Euro as their currency.

These varied influences from so many different cultures have made of present day Malta an eclectic mix which is bound to appeal to whatever the tourist is in search of. There is so much to see and do, whether one is looking for historical ruins, visiting one of the many churches, or just trying the local cuisine or wine. Malta holds something unique for every different character and one is bound to be pleasantly surprised at the diversity available.