History: Many people have targeted Malta through the years. The islands were colonised by the Phoenicians in 700BC. In 218 the Romans added the islands to their Republic. After the Roman Empire fell Malta became part of the Byzantine Empire until the 6th Century when the Arabic Aghlabid dynasty took over. In 1091, the Normans in Sicily invaded and it became part of the Kingdom of Sicily.

Over the next few years, Malta was ruled by various European countries including Spain. In 1530 the islands were given to the Knights Hospitaller, a Catholic military religious order, originally responsible for defending the Holy Land. The Knights famously fought off the Ottomans during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta.

In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Republic invaded. A local rebellion retook control in 1800, with the British making it a protectorate in 1813. In 1921, London granted self-government to Malta but it was still an important British Naval base.

During World War II Malta was heavily bombed by the Italian and German air forces and targeted by their navies. In 1942, the country was awarded a George Cross – the civilian award considered equal to the highest military award the Victoria Cross – for its bravery. This is still shown on its flag.

Malta became an independent state in 1964 and a republic in 1974. It joined the European Union in 2004.

Talking points: Between 3600BC and 2500BC a serious of megalithic temples were built in Malta. These are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world (the pyramids were first started in 2500-2400BC). You can still visit some of these.

Although the three islands are small, Malta is the eighth most densely populated country in the world. Maltese drivers use the correct (left) side of the road.