The Maltese Islands

Normally as big as a pinhead on most maps, the Maltese archipelago’s tiny size belies its offer.

Located in the centre of the Mediterranean, the islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino are home to some 400,000 people, have a mild climate, possess a 6,000 year history and have the oldest buildings in the world. Accessible by high-speed catamaran from Sicily, 93 kilometers north of Malta, and by aircraft from almost every capital and major city in Europe and North Africa, the islands are perfect for a holiday and as a business base. History proves this.

Everyone who’s mattered in European and Middle Eastern history has occupied Malta at some point or another. This historical hotchpotch has produced a tolerant people who are laid back, easygoing and friendly; plus a wealth of sites that has led to Malta being called an al fresco museum. Indeed, the islands are richly endowed with archaeological sites, magnificent churches, opulent palaces and fascinating museums.

Generally regarded as a beach destination, with unrivaled historical monuments thrown in for good measure, the islands also offer a colourful apres beach scene. The “standards” are all here – casinos, discotheques, nightclubs, restaurants, theme bars, sunset cruises and culture galore in the form of theatre, festivals and pageants. Malta is also the perfect prescription for retail therapy with hundreds of shops and scores of shopping centres spread throughout the Island ranging form chic boutiques of Sliema or from the gold and silversmiths of the capital, Valletta to shopping establishments selling a huge variety of goods.

Coupled with their better-known label as a holiday destination, the Maltese islands are also an important international financial services and manufacturing and re-export centre.

In addition, Malta is a well known centre for film making with its own special film tank where many blockbusters have been made. Among the movies made in Malta is the Oscar winning Gladiator.