Forgotten World (114): Malta
Malta is an archipelago of seven islands including Malta itself, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto and Filfla and has a population of 400,000. Located south of the Italian island of Sicily between Europe and North Africa, it has been occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and latterly France and Britain. Independence from Britain was achieved in 1964 and the country joined the European Union in 2004.
Since becoming an EU member, the tiny island has reported an increasing problem with immigration from north Africa and has requested more help to deal with it. The UN refugee agency has criticised the island’s policy of keeping asylum seekers in detention for 18 months.
Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. However, its major resources are limestone, a favourable geographic location, and a productive labour force.