The Gozo Channel Ferry - Malta 2019
Channel Ferry from Malta to Gozo in Feb 2019
Gozo and Commino from Gozo channel line, Monday, 17, December 2018
Created by VideoShow:
Road Trip! Gozo, Malta
Seeing the island of Gozo, Malta in just one day! For more details on visiting Malta go here...
Malta & Gozo
just a few holiday snaps from Malta & Gozo islands
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
I upload music for the entertainment of myself and others, I do NOT upload music to make money.I do not upload music to take credit from the Artist(s) or any other channel that was the first to upload it. If you are not happy that I have uploaded one of your tracks then send me a message or comment and I will remove it
Gozo Diving | Rob Smith ARPS
Gozo Diving
From a slideshow of images showing the wonderful world to be found in Gozo Diving.
Gozo, Malta has just been ranked as the top secret place to visit by Lonely Planet guides and when you try Gozo Diving you will be sure to see why.
There are over thirteen dive centres on the island all offering a wide variety of shore and boat gozo diving.
The most famous divesite is the Blue Hole / Azure Window which is the top gozo diving destination and also the location where the wedding scene in Game of Thrones Series One, episode one was filmed.
Related tags:
Malta (Country)
Water
Swimming
Gozo (Island)
Gozo And Comino
Tourist Destination
Reef
cave
tech
diver
school
divecentre
deep
blue
octopus
Scuba Diving (Interest)
Ocean
island
sea
wrecks
skills
tauchen
dykning
tauch
Wrack
malta diving
diving malta
holidays
holiday
trip
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
Please watch: Underwater Gozo
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
【K】Malta Travel-Birgu[몰타 여행-비르구]성 안젤로 요새/Fort Saint Angelo/Knights/Vittoriosa/Reenact
■ KBS 걸어서 세계속으로 PD들이 직접 만든 해외여행전문 유투브 채널 【Everywhere, K】
■ The Travels of Nearly Everywhere! 10,000 of HD world travel video clips with English subtitle! (Click on 'subtitles/CC' button)
■ '구독' 버튼을 누르고 10,000여 개의 생생한 【HD】영상을 공유 해 보세요! (Click on 'setting'-'quality'- 【1080P HD】 ! / 더보기 SHOW MORE ↓↓↓)
● Subscribe to YOUTUBE -
● Follow me on TWITTER -
● Like us on FACEBOOK -
● KBS 걸어서세계속으로 홈페이지 -
[한국어 정보]
몰타기사단이 오기 전에도, 이곳엔 사람이 살았다. 수 천 년 동안, 지중해에서 어부의 삶을 이어가던 몰타인들이다. 끊이지 않는 전쟁 속에서 삶은 달라졌지만, 그들은 제자리를 지키고 있다. 변화 속에서도, 과거를 잊지 않으려 노력한다. 그 정신이 이어져 오는 곳이 있다해서 찾아가봤다. 빅토리오사 지역에 자리한 성 안젤로 요새다. 빅토리오사는 기사단이 가장 먼저 정착했던 지역으로, 이 성 안젤로 요새는 기사단 최초의 본부 역할을 했다. 중세 복장을 한 사람들이 뭔가를 열심히 준비하고 있다. “몰타기사단 대 집행관은 모든 요새와 성채를 방문하곤 했습니다. 그게 집행관의 의무이기 때문이죠. 수비대가 최상의 컨디션을 유지하고 요새가 좋은 상태를 유지하는 것이 그의 임무였습니다.” 당시 대 집행관이 요새와 수비대를 점검하는 모습을 재연한다. 대 집행관이 등장하면서 시작하는 재연은 사뭇 진지하다. 요새를 지키는 수비대원들이 ‘이상 없음’을 신고한다. 이렇게 마무리. 오늘도 요새는, 무사하다.
[English: Google Translator]
Even before the Knights of Malta came, people lived here. For thousands of years, they were Maltese who lived fisherman lives in the Mediterranean. Life has changed in a never-ending war, but they are keeping their place. In the midst of change, we try not to forget the past. I went there because there is a place where the spirit is connected. It is a fortress of St. Angelo in Victory Osa area. Victory was the first settlement of the Knights Templar, which served as the first headquarters of the Knights. People in medieval costumes are preparing something hard. The Knights of Malta vs. the officers used to visit all the fortifications and citadels. Because that's the duty of the bailiff. His job was to keep the garrison in excellent condition and to keep the fort in good condition. At that time, the executive recreates the fortress and garrison check. The reenactment that begins with the appearance of the executive branch is serious. Defendants guarding the fort declare 'no abnormality'. Finish like this. The fortress is still safe today.
[Malta: Google Translator]
Anki qabel ma daħlu l-Kavallieri ta 'Malta, in-nies għexu hawn. Għal eluf ta 'snin, kienu Maltin li għexu ħajja tas-sajjied fil-Mediterran. Il-ħajja nbidlet f'gwerra li qatt ma tispiċċa, iżda qegħdin iżommu posthom. Fil-qalba tal-bidla, nippruvaw ma ninsewx il-passat. I marru hemm għax hemm post fejn l-ispirtu huwa konness. Huwa fortizza ta 'San Angelo fiż-żona ta' Victory Osa. Il-Vitorja kienet l-ewwel soluzzjoni tal-Knights Templar, li serviet bħala l-ewwel kwartieri ġenerali tal-Kavallieri. In-nies fil-kostumi medjevali qed iħejju xi ħaġa iebsa. Il-Kavallieri ta 'Malta kontra l-uffiċjali kienu jżuru l-fortifikazzjonijiet u ċ-cittadelli kollha. Minħabba li dak huwa d-dmir tal-marixxall. Ix-xogħol tiegħu kien li jżomm il-garrison f'kondizzjoni eċċellenti u biex iżomm il-fort f'kondizzjoni tajba. F'dak iż-żmien, l-eżekuttiv jerġa 'jikseb il-kontroll tal-fortizza u l-garrison. Ir-retenzjoni li tibda bid-dehra tal-fergħa eżekuttiva hija serja. Il-konvenuti li jħarsu l-qawwa jiddikjaraw 'l-ebda anormalità'. Tispiċċa bħal dan. Il-fortizza għadha sikura llum.
[Information]
■클립명: 유럽088-몰타02-12 기사단 최초의 본부 성 안젤로 요새
■여행, 촬영, 편집, 원고: 하용일 PD (travel, filming, editing, writing: KBS TV Producer)
■촬영일자: 2018년 6월June
[Keywords]
섬,island,cliff,성/궁전,palace,전통의식/기타풍습,풍습,,traditional ceremony,유럽Europe몰타MaltaRepubblika ta' MaltaRepublic of Malta하용일20186월몰타섬Malta IslandJune걸어서 세계속으로
Joining pipe´s for TunaCage back in Malta 2002
Working for a Tuna Fish farming company in Spain 2002/2004, following the fishing boats and Tug boats towing the cages around the Med, supplying them with food,water & fuel, based in Malta, entering Libia for cheap fuel, some trips up to 60 days at sea, normally 14 days at sea, 2 days at base, during the Tuna fishing season 2002 to 2004.
Technical Scuba Diving On The Wreck Of The Imperial Eagle Malta
Built by J. Crown and Sons Ltd. in Sunderland, England equipped with two oil-fired engines constructed by Crossley Bros Ltd. Originally launched in 1938, under the name 'New Royal Lady'. In 1947 she was renamed to 'Royal Lady', but was then soon renamed to the 'Crested Eagle'. At 45m long, the Imperial Eagle was used as a ferry between Mgarr and Marfa until 1968, after this it was then used to transport cargo and animals between Gozo and Valletta. By 1995 she was sold to the local diving community and on July 19th 1999, she was scuttled about 500m from Qawra point as a dive site.
The Imperial Eagle is the sister-ship to the famous Calypso used by Jacques Cousteau.
This video documents the dive conducted in November 2015.
Equipment / Kit
=============
Our Film Making Gear ~ kit.com/WhiteKnightProduction/our-cinematography-gear
Our Scuba Equipment ~ kit.com/WhiteKnightProduction/our-underwater-equipment
Social Media / Contact
==================
Facebook ~ facebook.com/WhiteKnightProductions/
Website ~ whiteknightproductions.co.uk/
Vimeo ~ vimeo.com/whiteknightproductions
YouTube ~ youtube.com/channel/UClKZeM-PGZR7QNtu20xtXGw
Music
=====
Ofeilia's Dream by Bensound.com
A day with the sheep farmer and cheese-making
Experience a day in the tranquil life of a local shepherd and actively participate in making fresh cheese.
We warmly welcome you to live and experience an idyllic day in the tranquil pastoral life of a local shepherd and to actively contribute in the making of traditional Gozitan cheese.
Gozitan shepherds still tend their sheep and goats in pristine countryside, accompanied by dogs guiding the herd on its way. You are invited to help, and should it be seasonally opportune, get to observe manual sheep shearing up close too.
The tranquil environment which lends itself to a deep sense of serenity, coupled with the stimulus of discovering how the farmer and his herd live in harmony and communion with the land are a must for discerning travellers.
Hands on involvement in the feeding and milking of the sheep as well as your valued participation in the process of Gozitan cheese-making enable you to experience it too.
The processing of Gozitan cheeselets, which are consumed fresh, sun dried, salted or peppered, is an intensely engaging experience.
The abundant supply of cheeselets made from the sheep's milk fulfills the unpretentious shepherd's aspirations.
An authentic traditional lunch with your host is included in this event, featuring a wide variety of local produce ranging from Gozitan cheese, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crusty oven baked bread and a rich local dish ensuring that your day will be a memorable one!
All this for Euro 18.50 per adult and Euro 9.25 per child under 12 (including taxes). Group rates are subject to numbers.
Programme:
Starting time 09.00 - 14.30
* Meeting Ager Foundation Personnel
* Welcome tea/coffee with host family
* Milking the sheep and feeding animals
* Authentic lunch with host family
* Cheese making
* Shearing of sheep (seasonal)
* Herding the sheep in the countryside and/or fieldwork
* Afternoon Tea/Coffee
* Meeting again Ager Foundation personnel for feedback/evaluation
Do not hesitate to contact us for further details and information about availability.
For more information on this and other services offered by Ager Foundation email Mr Victor Galea on victorgalea@onvol.net or phone on +356 7901-7017.Tel/Fax +356 21564378
Gozo
Gozo (/ˈɡoʊ.zoʊ/; Maltese: Għawdex, [ˈaˤːw.dɛʃ]) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago. Compared to its southeastern neighbour, Gozo is more rural and known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms.
The island of Gozo has long been associated with Ogygia, the island home of the nymph Calypso in Homer's Odyssey. In that story, Calypso, possessed of great supernatural powers, and in love with Odysseus, holds him captive for a number of years, until finally releasing him to continue his journey home.
This video is targeted to blind users.
Attribution:
Article text available under CC-BY-SA
Creative Commons image source in video
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
00:02:57 1 Etymology
00:04:03 2 History
00:07:17 2.1 Prehistory
00:10:22 2.2 Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans
00:14:45 2.3 Arab period and the Middle Ages
00:16:13 2.4 Norman conquest
00:18:26 2.5 Crown of Aragon rule and the Knights of Malta
00:21:57 2.6 French period
00:24:45 2.7 British Empire and the Second World War
00:27:20 2.8 Independence and Republic
00:29:22 3 Politics
00:32:10 3.1 Administrative divisions
00:34:03 3.2 Military
00:35:25 4 Geography
00:37:07 4.1 Climate
00:40:00 4.2 Urbanisation
00:41:12 5 Economy
00:45:28 5.1 Banking and finance
00:46:27 5.2 Transport
00:53:03 5.3 Communications
00:54:59 5.4 Currency
00:55:55 5.5 Tourism
00:56:51 5.6 Science and technology
00:57:36 6 Demographics
01:02:46 6.1 Languages
01:05:13 6.2 Religion
01:12:33 6.3 Migration
01:12:42 6.3.1 Inbound migration
01:14:06 6.3.2 Outbound migration
01:15:43 6.4 Education
01:18:52 6.5 Healthcare
01:20:53 7 Culture
01:21:20 7.1 Music
01:21:56 7.2 Literature
01:22:38 7.3 Art and architecture
01:28:30 7.4 Cuisine
01:29:09 7.5 Customs
01:30:38 7.6 Traditions
01:34:41 7.7 Festivals
01:39:06 7.8 Media
01:41:59 7.9 Holidays
01:42:08 7.10 Sport
01:42:28 8 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. With a population of about 475,000 over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi), Malta is the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely-populated country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries, at over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) with a population of about 475,000. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 Its largest town is Birkirkara, while its chief economic centre is Sliema. The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a critical way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
00:02:57 1 Etymology
00:04:03 2 History
00:07:17 2.1 Prehistory
00:10:22 2.2 Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans
00:14:45 2.3 Arab period and the Middle Ages
00:16:13 2.4 Norman conquest
00:18:26 2.5 Crown of Aragon rule and the Knights of Malta
00:21:57 2.6 French period
00:24:45 2.7 British Empire and the Second World War
00:27:20 2.8 Independence and Republic
00:29:22 3 Politics
00:32:10 3.1 Administrative divisions
00:34:03 3.2 Military
00:35:25 4 Geography
00:37:07 4.1 Climate
00:40:00 4.2 Urbanisation
00:41:12 5 Economy
00:45:28 5.1 Banking and finance
00:46:27 5.2 Transport
00:53:03 5.3 Communications
00:54:59 5.4 Currency
00:55:55 5.5 Tourism
00:56:51 5.6 Science and technology
00:57:36 6 Demographics
01:02:46 6.1 Languages
01:05:13 6.2 Religion
01:12:33 6.3 Migration
01:12:42 6.3.1 Inbound migration
01:14:06 6.3.2 Outbound migration
01:15:43 6.4 Education
01:18:52 6.5 Healthcare
01:20:53 7 Culture
01:21:20 7.1 Music
01:21:56 7.2 Literature
01:22:38 7.3 Art and architecture
01:28:30 7.4 Cuisine
01:29:09 7.5 Customs
01:30:38 7.6 Traditions
01:34:41 7.7 Festivals
01:39:06 7.8 Media
01:41:59 7.9 Holidays
01:42:08 7.10 Sport
01:42:28 8 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. With a population of about 475,000 over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi), Malta is the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely-populated country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries, at over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) with a population of about 475,000. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 Its largest town is Birkirkara, while its chief economic centre is Sliema. The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a critical way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.