Malta is a southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea 80 km (50 mi) south of Sicily and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta’s location has given it great strategic importance throughout history and a succession of powers have ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. Malta is a tourist destination with numerous recreational areas and historical monuments, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Republic of Malta is a Southern European country consisting of a group of islands in the center of the Mediterranean, bordered by Sicily on the south side, Tunisian on the east side, Libya on the north, and Gibraltar on the west and Alexandria also on the eastern side.