It has a mix of European, Mediterranean and North African cultures. The Maltese archipelago is made up of 6 islands: Malta, Gozo, Comino, Cominotto, St Paul's Island and Filfla.
Malta became an island 10 000 years ago when the glaciers melted at the end of the last ice age. The Knights ofthe Order of St John originated in the 11th century, where they were a religious order who had to take up arms in defence of the city Jerusalem.The Knights eventually made a home in Malta. The Great Siege of Malta happened in 1565. The Turks invaded with a fleet of 38 000 men and 180 vessels to attack Malta who could only defend themselves with around 9000 men. Despite the lack of numbers, the Maltese fought for a month holding off the capture and managed to lose 8000 Turkish troops to their 1500. The Turks were defeated after a re-inforcement of 9000 troops arrived from Sicily, giving the Order a monumental victory.
France (Napolean) took over the rule of Malta in the 1700's and the Knights were pushed out. The Maltese welcomed them because they had grown to resent the Knights and all they stood for. The French began to loot the precious treasures held in the churches to raise funds. They also brought in a lot of new rules and abolished old ones, causing a rebellion and eventually the end of the French rule in 1798 and the beginning of a treaty with Britain.
The plague devastated Malta in 1813 and a quarantine was put in place until 1826. Consideral numbers of Maltese emigrated to other countries after thc Cholera epidemic which killed more than 4000 people. So many moved to Australia that it is said there are more Maltese in Australia today than there are in Malta itself. In 1919 riots broke out in the town of Valetta, because of the general misery and anger over the rise of the cost of living after WW1. British troops were called in to restore order, firing on the crowds and killing 4 people.
Malta was severly damaged by bombing in WW2. In April 1942 Malta was hit by 6700 tons of bombs. That month King George V1 awarded the island of Malta with the George Cross, which is featured on the National flag of Malta. The British government gave Malta 30 million pounds to aid in reconstruction of the 35 000 homes that were lost. Malta was granted independance by the British in 1964. Malta had a beneficial relationship with the British that lasted 180 years. Today Malta is a nuetral, non-aligned country and may not form part of any military alliance or allow foreign military bases on its territories. Malta is a welfare state on British lines. The government provides for the citizen's special financial needs for their entire life. Poverty does not exist and no one ever need to be reduced to begging in the streets. Malta's main industry is tourism.
