Malta

Malta - Is officially known as the Republic of Malta. Malta is a European Country and is an island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea in southern Europe about 93km off the coast of Sicily (Italy). Malta gained its Independence from Great Britain in 1964. Britain had formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. Throughout much of its history, Malta has been considered a crucial strategic location due in large part its position in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta became an European Union member in May 2004. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing and tourism. The Maltese islands were first settled in 5200 BC by stone age farmers who had arrived from the nearby, much larger island of Sicily, possibly the Sicani who were the only known tribe to be inhabiting the island at this time.