Malta's history spans over 7000 years — from megalithic temples, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of Malta, the British Empire, to the modern Third Republic.
Megalithic Era (5000–2500 BC)
World's oldest freestanding temples — Ġgantija (UNESCO, 3600 BC), Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra. 5000 years before the Pyramids. The civilization ended mysteriously 2500 BC.
Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines (800 BC – 870 AD)
Phoenicians settled ~800 BC — named Malta. Romans 218 BC. Saint Paul shipwrecked here 60 AD — brought Christianity. Byzantines until 870.
Arabs (870–1090)
Arabs in 870 — brought irrigation system, citrus, pasta, and influence on Maltese language (which is Semitic).
Normans and Kingdom (1091–1530)
Normans 1091 — Roger I. Malta became part of Roger of Sicily, then Aragon and Spain.
Knights of Malta (1530–1798)
Emperor Charles V gave Malta to the Order 1530 — annual rent: 1 falcon. Great Siege 1565 — 600 Knights + 8000 Maltese repelled 40,000 Turks. Built Valletta (1566, UNESCO). Driven out by French 1798.
British Era (1814–1964)
After Napoleon, Britain took control 1814. Malta became strategic naval base of British Empire. Siege of Malta 1940-43 (WWII) — 3000 air raids. George Cross 1942 — only country to receive the medal as a whole.
Independence and Republic (1964–today)
Independence September 21, 1964. Republic 1974. Left Commonwealth (partially). Joined EU 2004 — EU's smallest country (316 km², 520,000 inhabitants). Adopted Euro 2008. Official languages: Maltese + English.