Malta is an island country in the middle of the Mediterranean, known as "the heart of the Mediterranean", and it is Europe's most famous leisure resort; it is the hub of non-maritime transport in Europe and Asia. Because of its strategic position, Malta was historically occupied by several nationalities.

In the 10th to 8th centuries BC, the Phoenicians settled there. Since then the Romans, Arabs and Normans etc have occupied the island of Malta.

In 1523, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem moved here from Rhode Island, while they were later expelled by France. Malta became a British colony in the 19th century, officially declared its independence in 1964, but it still retains the status as a member state of the Commonwealth .

In 1974, Malta amended the Constitution, established the Republic of Malta, and introduced a unicameral parliamentary system (the House of Representatives).

On March 9, 2003, Malta carried out referendum, which turned out to be in favor of joining the European Union, and in May 2004 Malta formally joined the European Union. On December 21, 2007, Malta formally joined the Schengen Agreement as an EU member state.

On January 1, 2008, Malta joined the euro zone and started its official use of the euro.

In 2015, Malta hosted the EU-Africa Summit.

Malta will become the EU presidency in 2017.

Malta is a four-in-one country, meaning: Schengen+EU+Euro+Commonwealth. Compared with most European countries, the most unique fact is that Malta adopts English as its official language.