The Maltese islands are situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. They comprise an archipelago of three inhabited islands, Malta (246 sqr km), Gozo (67  sqr km) and, Comino (2.6 sqr km). Two tiny uninhabited islets, Cominotto and Fifla, are also part of the Maltese islands and, although rich with natural topographical beauty, these islets are too small to be inhabited.

Densely populated, inhabited by approximately 400, 000 people, most islanders of the Republic of Malta inhabit on, what are considered the two main islands of the archipelago, Malta and Gozo, the largest being Malta with approximately 369, 000 inhabitants and, Gozo having a population of approximately 31, 000. There are only 4 inhabitants on Comino, who live off pig farming. The capital city of Malta is Valletta which is also the financial capital of the islands. Gozo also has it’s capital city, Victoria, which is also a commercial centre in its own right. 

The Maltese islands are graced with a rich history dating back to pre-historic times, beginning at around 3,800 B.C. Remnants of a past found at archaeological sites, such as, the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum, which is what is believed to be the largest group of prehistoric European rock-cut chamber tombs or even, the Neolithic and Megalithic temples, such as, Hagar Qim, are living proof of a past rich with human activity. What came after pre-historic societies was a succession of  Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans conquests that enriched Maltese history further. Although it is probable that the Phoenicians came to Malta for a time, proof regarding this period is scarce. The arrival of the Carthaginians is dated at 6 century B.C and, the islands came under the Roman in 218 B. C. It is also believed that St. Paul was, on his way to Rome, shipwrecked in Malta in 60 A.D. Christianity in Malta is tied up with a Pauline tradition which has influenced popular culture every since. In the 870 A.D, the Arabs occupied the Maltese island and, it is believed by many historians that at this time most of the island’s inhabitants were Muslim. In 1091, the Arabs were defeated by the Normans under Count Roger and, it was at this time that the population of Malta was converted to Christianity again. A feudal system was introduced in Malta which remained intact until the arrival of the Hospitalier knights in 1530.

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