Malta

Malta is the largest island of the Maltese Archipelago at 152 square kilometres and is the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Valetta is the capital and has substantial ship building facilities. The island also has many other harbours and beaches and tourism represents about one third of the islands income. From the 1800s until 1964, Malta was under British rule. In 1964 it obtained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Due to their heroism during WWII, the islands were awarded the George Cross, which still appears on the national flag. In 2004 they became the smallest full member of the EU.