MALTA (marta) (anciently Melita), an island in the Mediterranean belong ing to Great Britain; 62 miles S. S. W. of Sicily, and 197 miles N. of Africa; length 17 miles; central breadth, about 9 miles; area, 95 square miles, to which the adjoining islands of Gozo and Comino add 24; pop. about 225,000. It is of an irregular oval shape, deeply indented on all sides except the S., where the coast forms a continuous and almost unbroken line. The most important indentation is the double bay on which the capital, Valetta, stands. The greatest elevation of the island is about 750 feet. The soil is thin, and rests on a calcareous rock; in some parts earth has been brought from Sicily and put down. Corn, cotton, potatoes, and clover are the chief crops.
Both the vine and olive are cultivated, and fruit, particularly figs and oranges, is very abundant. The manufactures con sist of cotton goods, lace, jewelry, etc. The central position of Malta in the Mediterranean makes Valetta an inval uable naval station, although the harbor is open to objection on account of its small size; it has been provided with ex cellent docks and very strong fortifica tions. The climate is very hot in sum mer, but pleasant and healthy in winter, attracting many visitors at this season.
During the World War Malta was an important naval station for the British and the Allied navies.
Malta passed successively through the hands of the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians, and was finally attached to Rome during the 2d Punic war. After the fall of the Roman empire it was seized at different times by Vandals, Goths, and Saracens. From the last it passed to Sicily, and followed its fortunes till 1522, when Charles V. granted it to the order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1798 the grand-master surrendered it without defense to Napoleon. It was tak en by the British in 1800, and finally an nexed by them in 1814. The executive government is in the hands of a governor and council. Excavations carried on in 1916-1918 have revealed the existence of an advanced primitive civilization. The educational institutions include a univer sity, a lyceum, secondary schools, besides primary and infant schools. Besides the capital Valetta and the "Three Cities" adjoining there are several considerable towns or villages.