
Great Britain formally
acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported
the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth
when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became
a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a
freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination.
It is an official candidate for EU membership.. LOCATION:
Southern Europe, islands in the
Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) CLIMATE: Mediterranean with mild, rainy
winters and hot, dry summers BORDERS:
None