Malta voted as the Best Climate in the World by www.internationalliving.com

A quintet of sunny islands makes up the Republic of Malta, with its mild winters and hot summers. Malta, Gozo, and Comino are all inhabited--though with a mere handful of families, Comino only just qualifies. The remaining islands, Cominotto and Filfla, are for boat-trippers and seabirds.

These Maltese islands take the top spot in the Climate category of our 2007 Quality of Life Index. As you know, once a year, every January, we consider nearly every nation on earth in a grueling set of nine categories. This year, our survey looks at 193 countries. And Malta has the best climate in the world.

Fair weather, averaging 5.2 hours of sunshine a day--even in December. Right into November, daytime temperatures often nudge 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring comes early, around late February. Frost and snow are mostly unknown. There is winter rainfall, but it tends to come in heavy bursts for short periods. And, while the islands boast few sandy beaches, there are compensations: Summertime brings a round of colorful village festivals complete with fireworks. Diving and sailing are excellent. You can play golf, go horseback riding, and attend trotting races. The second-oldest theater in Europe is the Manoel Theatre, in the capital of Malta, Valletta. In the cooler months, October through May, you can see opera, theater, music, and ballet there.

Don't be embarrassed if you can't pinpoint Malta on a map. It's not on everyone's radar, and mostly unheard of by Americans. Malta is anchored almost in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, 60 miles from the Italian island of Sicily, which is linked to Malta by regular 90-minute ferry service. There is a modern airport at Luqa (on Malta) with flights to numerous other European countries. Rome is but one hour away by plane.

The next closest neighbours are in North Africa, which lies less than 200 miles away. Travel west, and you arrive in Tunisia; go south from Malta, and you reach Libya.

In other words, despite the Republic of Malta's island status, you won't live here like a castaway.

The government is a politically stable parliamentary democracy, so you do not have to lie awake at night worrying about army coups and crazy colonels with big ideas. A president is the titular head of state, and executive power lies in the hands of the prime minister and the cabinet, whose ministers are appointed from elected members of Parliament. Headed by an attorney general, the judiciary is independent.

Furthermore, this little island became a member of the E.U in 2004.

Apart from the near-perfect climate, on both Malta and Gozo the living is easy and affordable. Crime hardly exists, the locals are hospitable, permanent foreign residents can take advantage of a 15% tax rate, and nobody pays property taxes. The health care is excellent. And you'll encounter no language difficulties...everybody speaks English.

Laura Sheridan
Editor, IL's Quality of Life Index

P.S. The Maltese drive on the left, like the British, but a little more recklessly.

the article can be found here

Why Malta?

The small islands which lie at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea have lured visitors for thousands of years. Within three hours from leading European airports, served by a myriad of airlines which are linked virtually to the entire globe on a regular basis, the islands' boast a safe cosmopolitan environment with a state-of -the-art telecommunications infrastructure and a developed economic base. A strategic meeting place for centuries, Malta will prove to be the right place to support your activities, with a rich cultural calendar and varied venues of interest.

The warm summers and mild winters cannot be matched elsewhere on the continent. With a culture based on a balance between hard work, leisure and family, they country is full of places to visit and activities to suit your interests, enabling you to make the most of the beautiful weather, calm blue seas and short distances between its towns and villages. Whether a prehistoric site or a village feast full of fireworks displays and live entertainment, you will surely enjoy discovering Malta's historical gems, culinary delights and cultural events.

History of Maltese Visitors

Fascinating History

The Maltese islands have attracted thousands of visitors to its prehistoric treasures which unravel an exciting world of mystery and legends.

Below is a timeline of Malta's history through the Millennia ...

7500BC

First presence of man in malta
Remains, from as early as 7500 BC can be found on Malta. These include the infamous Hypogeum, which lies more 12 feet underground and houses artifacts so ancient that many of them have never been given a date.


3600BC- 2500BC

Intriguing and unique cultures
Over 5500 years old, the Ggantija Temples are the world's oldest free-standing structures pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge. These temples were possibly the site of a cult as figurines and statues were also found on discovery. In Maltese the world Ggantija meant "belonging to the giants"



1000BC

Phoenician Outpost
The Phoencians colonised the islands, building ports and using them as a central trading post.


720BC

Greeks in Malta
A Greek colony was founded on the main island.



400BC

Carthaginian Outpost
The Maltese Islands were taken over by the Carthage.


218BC

Roman Malta
The Romans began to rule the Maltese Islands. Vast archeological remains including baths, villas, farms and harbours point to a period of prosperity and cultural advancement.



60AD

Christianity in Malta
According to the Bible St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta at a place known today as St Paul's Bay.


870AD

Arab Invasion
Malta was conquered by the Arabs. Sicily, Spain and all of North Africa also came under Arab rule. Few archeological remains survived from this period.




1000-1127

Arrival of the Normans
Count Roger 1 of Sicily established Norman rule in Malta, and Christianity was strengthened on the islands once again.


1530-1798

The Knights of Malta
To protect Rome from Islamic invasion in 1530, Charles V handed Malta over to the knights of St John. In 1565, the Knights of Malta withstood a siege by the Ottoman Empire. The Knights increased the fortifications, particularly in the city of Valletta.



1798-1800

French Invasion
Napoleon seized the islands from the Knights of St John. French forces were mainly unaccepted by the Maltese who, with the Britsh navel support, rebelled, forcing them behind the fortifications, in a long blockade that ended with their surrender and departure from the island.


1800

British Malta
It was the Maltese who solicited the British to offer the island protection in their plight against the French. Britain liberated the islands and appointed Sir Alexander John Ball as Governor. As part of the Treaty of Paris, Malta officially became part of the British Empire and was used as a shipping way-station and as the headquarters for the Mediterranean Fleet, up till 1979.



1939 - 1945

From Second World War horror to honours
The Italians, together with the Germans, attacked and attempted to invade Malta during World War II. The Italians wanted to annex the islands which they considered Italian for centuries, whilst the Germans were interested in destroying the British bases. However the Allied forces and Maltese were tough opposition and stood firm in the face of heavy bombardment. The people of Malta were awarded the George Cross for gallantry in the Second World War.


1964

Independence
Malta was granted independence from Great Britain, but retained active membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations.



2004, 2008

EU Membership
In 2004, Malta joined the European Union and in 2008 adopted the Euro as its natural currency, replacing the Lira.

About Malta

Malta is an island nation comprising an archipelago of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. A country of Southern Europe, Malta lies south of Sicily. The country's official languages are Maltese and English. Christianity is the most practiced religion. The islands constituting the Maltese nation have been ruled by various powers and fought over for centuries, most recently the United Kingdom. Though independent Malta maintains close ties with Great Britain, and is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It has been a member state of the European Union (EU) since 2004 and it is currently the smallest EU country in both population and area.

Notwithstanding its limited geographical size, Malta has a thriving economy that contrary to what many expect is not based solely on tourism (which is strong), but other businesses too, such as financial services, information technology, healthcare services and pharmaceuticals.

Malta is a modern country, with a rich history, unique culture and a versatile population.