| This article highlights some of the most fascinating | | | | Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a UNESCO World |
| facts about Malta, which is sometimes referred to as | | | | Heritage Site. Valletta earned this well-deserved place |
| the Mediterranean's best kept secret. | | | | on this prestigious list for its outstanding role in |
| If you're familiar with Malta, it wouldn't take you long | | | | history, as well as for its grand fortifications, palaces, |
| to figure out why thousands of visitors each year fall | | | | museums and its many other monuments and |
| in love with the island. Because where else can you | | | | historical sites. |
| find over 7000 years of history, breathtaking | | | | Interested to discover more facts about Malta? Then |
| beaches, friendly locals and the oldest free standing | | | | read on. |
| structures in the world? | | | | New Stone Age Temples |
| But for those who know very little about the Maltese | | | | Malta is also home to the oldest free standing |
| islands, things may be different. | | | | structures in the world. Yes, you read that right - the |
| First things first, where is Malta located? | | | | oldest. Older than the pyramids of Egypt. The |
| Malta is a tiny island right in the heart of the | | | | Neolithic temples found on the Maltese islands, |
| Mediterranean. Sicily is just 30 minutes away by plane. | | | | continue to baffle archaeologists and researchers to |
| Over the years, the Maltese islands were invaded | | | | this day. Perhaps the most impressive of all are |
| and occupied by many nations. Ranging from ancient | | | | Ggantija temples, found in Gozo (Malta's sister island). |
| Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French to name a few | | | | Legend has it that these New Stone Age temples |
| and in fairly "recent" history the British, the Maltese | | | | were built by giants! |
| islands today enjoy independence and in 2004, Malta | | | | Beaches, beaches and more beaches! |
| became a member of the European Union. | | | | Malta beaches are renowned for their crystal clear |
| How big is Malta? | | | | blue waters. Worthy of note here are the |
| Just 316 sq km. But in those 316 sq km, visitors | | | | magnificent Blue Lagoon in Comino, Ramla Bay on |
| often discover what is perhaps one of the most | | | | Gozo island and Mellieha Bay in Malta. The fact that |
| welcoming and relaxed lifestyle in the Mediterranean. | | | | the Malta weather is warm and welcoming almost all |
| Due to its abundance of historical sites and | | | | year round (except for some cold spells usually in |
| monuments, Malta has been dubbed an open-air | | | | January and February), make Malta the ideal |
| museum! The sheer smallness of the place (you can | | | | destination for beach lovers as well as diving |
| cross the island from one side to the other in about 1 | | | | enthusiasts. |
| hour by car) makes it even more evocative and | | | | Of course, these are just a few facts about Malta |
| captivating to visitors. | | | | that visitors find fascinating. Malta is all yours to |
| Valletta - A UNESCO World Heritage Site | | | | discover. |