Malta - the tiny little island half way between Sicily and Africa - has been inhabited at least for 7000 years. There are still impressive temples, underground and above ground, from the Megalithic culture.
Later the Phoenicians settled here ( the local language has still a strong Semitic influence), followed by the Greek, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish, till the island was given to the Knights of St.John after they had to leave Cyprus, which had been taken by the Turks in the 16th century. These members of the order ( which was named after Malta from now on), came from all the noble families from Europe, and were truly international. They made the island a stronghold against the Turks, building cities ( Valletta) and hundreds of churches.
Their reign ceased when they had to surrender to Napoleon's troops in 1798. The people of Malta rose successfully against French rule with British help, and became voluntarily part of the British Empire in 1814. Malta obtained its independence in 1964, and is member of the EU now since 2004.