Malta

Located south of the Italian island of Sicily between Europe and North Africa, it has been occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and latterly France and Britain.

It has a history of colonial control spanning centuries.

Independence from Britain was achieved in 1964, after the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross for defending the island during the Second World War.

Over the centuries, Malta's strategic position fostered its development as an important trading post and it remains a leading centre for container and freight transhipment.

Malta is a popular holiday destination and tourism is the nation's main source of income.