The history of Malta and the Maltese islands is rich and extensive, dating back to the dawn of man, with early stone age farmers believed to have inhabited the islands from 5200 BC. Malta has been invaded and changed rule many times in its history with each new wave of settlers leaving their mark on the island. It has been under the rule of the Arabs, The Romans, the Knights of St John, The Normans, the French and most recently British. One of the most significant events in Malta took place during the Normal rule, when St Paul shipwrecked on the island, he subsequently brought Christianity to the Island which is still prevalent in the country with nearly 90% of the population being Christian in some denomination. In 1964 Malta regained its independence from British rule and joined the European union as an independent county in 2004.

Geography
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country comprising an archipelago, Gozo and Comino, in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. The country covers just over 316 km2 (122 sq mi), with a population of just under 450,000 making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which at 0.8 km2, is the smallest national capital in the European Union.

Languages
Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.

Climate & Sea
Malta gets about 300 days of sunshine a year generating an average year round temperature of 19 degrees. Long hot summers and mild winters are standard. Malta also has an average sea temperature of 22 degrees and has just been voted the 'Best Diving in the Mediterranean' and '3rd Best Diving in the World' in a recent poll by International Diver Magazine!! There are also some fantastic sandy beaches scattered all over the Island.

Religion
The majority of the population in Malta are Roman Catholics but there are other religions represented including Islam, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, Jewish and Jehovah Witness.

Crime
Malta has very low levels of crime which make it one of the safest places to live in Europe.

Food
Malta has an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables due to its fertile soils. Sea food is also very common but it is the fusion of Italian and North African influences that really make Malta an interesting gastronomic destination.

Public Transport
Malta has just invested in a large fleet of new air-conditioned buses with operate good networks throughout the Islands. There are also frequent ferry services connecting Malta to Gozo and Sicily.

Currency
The Euro is the official currency of Malta

Education
Malta has a high standard of English speaking schools which are based on the British system including a well-respected University. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16 years. For Expats there are also 2 International Schools, namely Verdala which is an American based International Baccalaureate Diploma School and St. Edwards which is a Catholic Boys school that follows the British Curriculum.

Healthcare
Malta has a very high standard of healthcare both private and public. Hospitals are well equipped and well-funded and there are many regional health centers located all over the Island. The health service is funded through taxes and is free to residents and members of the EU. Foreign nationals will need to have private health insurance in place.

Tourism
Malta is a popular tourism destination with 1.2 million visitors a year and is the strongest pillar of the Maltese economy. It is for Malta an economic necessity, the motor that propels the service sector. About half the jobs in the Archipelago are connected directly or indirectly to tourism.

The country boasts of luxury hotels, highly skilled staff, excellent high-tech conference facilities and superb recreational activities as well as many charming villages and unique cultural monuments, from prehistoric temples to the fortifications and rich architecture. The Maltese Islands include many sandy and rocky beaches where one can laze about during the hot summer months.

Why Malta?
All those who move to Malta, fall in love with its natural beauty, the history, the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, the sun shines for the majority of days throughout the year.

The attraction lies in the relatively relaxed way of living, affordable cost of living, as well as the country's historical links to Britain, the architectural gems and the Mediterranean joie de vivre that permeates life on the island.

Many are also attracted by the various successful industries that are flourishing in Malta such as the gaming industry and the financial services. Other star attractions include the plethora of leisure activities namely diving, cultural events and night life.

The benefits of Maltese citizenship include:

Visa-free travel to over 160 countries worldwide
The right to work and live in all EU countries
Being allowed to maintain more than one passport
A stable political system that provides personal security
Better education and a good quality of life for your children