The Heart Of The Mediterranean Sea: Why You Should You Visit Malta

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. Image depicts Valletta, Malta: skyline from Marsans Harbour.)

Malta has been a part of humanity's story for the past six thousand years. It's the island where mythological meets historical legends, as Aeneas and Queen Elizabeth II found solace on the island. As tourism resurgences, Malta offers travelers a temperate, historically gripping, and action-packed adventure. I had the chance to speak with Borg Oliver Uschi from The Malta Tourism Authority to learn more about why you should visit Malta.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. Image depicts Fungus Rock at Sunset, Gozo.)

1. Why should someone visit Malta?

Malta merits a visit because it offers travelers exciting paradoxes. While the country is a small archipelago, Malta has an extensive history spanning over six-thousand years. The country offers a cross-sectional history of the various nations near and within the Mediterranean region for the past six thousand years. Visitors can see how each civilization has impacted and created Maltese culture. On the political front, Malta is home to a thriving democracy and participates in international affairs as a member of the European Union and the United Nations. The country is only thirty miles, and the airport runaway is 1/5 of the country's length.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. The image depicts a link between sandstone buildings in a narrow alley in the old capital of Malta, Mdina.)

2. How does Malta respect its past but embrace innovation?

Our society has evolved in conjunction with the great empires of antiquity, medieval ages, and the modern era. As empires rise and fall, Malta has remained a constant presence in the Medterrian region. Our location enables the country to witness significant historical events and hold strategic value. While other places become stagnant in the face of progress, Malta holds dear its unique culture, food, and heritage while progressing towards the future.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. The image depicts an aerial drone photo - The famous Blue Lagoon in the Mediterranean Sea. Comino Island, Malta.)

3. What are the major industries in Malta?

Historically, Malta's location and harbors meant that it had been a hub of military operations. Malta was the epicenter of the Middle East and Europe cultural exchange during the Crusades. In World War II, Malta was the launchpad for the Allies Forces to begin the liberation of Italy from Mussolini. Finally, The American Forces used Malta as the home to the American Sixth Fleet during the 1960s. As the country moved away from a militarial-focused economy, Malta became a service-based economy as the country's tourism and financial services sectors have become the nation's top industries.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. Image depicts yachts near a pier in Birgu near Cospicua in Malta.)

4. Please describe the Maltan cuisine.

Malta has a rich Mediterranean-inspired diet with influences from the countries that once occupied Malta. Maltese cuisine is based on seasonal offerings, so the summer months offer fresh produce and fish, while the winter months specialize in protein-based emails such as rabbit dishes.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock)

5. What are some must-see sites everyone should see?

Malta has three cities with capital status. The first and main capital city is Valletta. It was created after a failed Ottoman Turk siege. Valletta was built in the baroque style by the Knights of Malta in 1566 and was the first city built from scratch on the island. The city is the first city built in a grid-shaped city formatted similarly to Manhattan. The second city is Mdina. Mdina, also known as The Silent City, served as the first capital city and has been home to the Maltese since the Norman Invasion. The final place is the island of Gozo. Gozo is a part of the Maltese nation and is the home of many UNESCO World Heritage status. Malta's prehistoric temples and stunning landscapes are on Gozo. One of the world's oldest structures is in Malta and is 1,000 years older than Stonehedge. Additionally, Malta is a scuba diver's paradise and offers divers to see many kinds of marine life.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock. The image depicts Mdina city gates. Old fortress. Malta.)