Malta

American  

[mawl-tuh] / ˈmɔl tə /

noun

1. an island in the Mediterranean between Sicily and Africa. 95 sq. mi. (246 sq. km).

2. a former British colony consisting of this island and two small adjacent islands: now an independent sovereign state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 122 sq. mi. (316 sq. km). Valletta.

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Malta British  

/ ˈmɔːltə /

noun

1. a republic occupying the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, in the Mediterranean south of Sicily: governed by the Knights Hospitallers from 1530 until Napoleon's conquest in 1798; French driven out, with British help, 1800; became British dependency 1814; suffered severely in World War II; became independent in 1964 and a republic in 1974; joined the EU in 2004; a member of the Commonwealth. Official languages: Maltese and English. Official religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: euro (from January 2008 replacing the Maltese lira). Capital: Valletta. Pop: 411 277 (2013 est). Area: 316 sq km (122 sq miles)

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Malta Cultural  

1. Republic in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, made up of five small islands.

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Discover More

Malta, strategically located, has belonged to a succession of civilizations, including the ancient Greeks and the Roman Empire. In 1800, the British established control of Malta, which, since its independence in 1964, has continued to maintain close ties with Britain.

Example Sentences

Many of the vessels that cross the strait fly common shipping flags such as those of Panama, the Marshall Islands, and Malta.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

She saw the tragedy as an "opportunity" to travel the world as a digital nomad, spending months at a time in places like Australia, Bali, Malta, and Thailand.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Activities in Ireland and Malta helped trim companies’ tax liabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Gas accounted for 47 percent of Italy's electricity production in 2025, the highest share in the EU after Ireland and Malta, according to research group Ember.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Titi was standing against the wall, beneath the plastic Malta Fresca sign, when she found herself looking into someone’s eyes.

From "145th Street: Short Stories" by Walter Dean Myers