Roberta David, age 13, of Camden, N.J., for her question:
WHERE IS MALTA?
Malta is an independent republic that is made up of a small group of islands located in the Mediterranean Sea about 60 miles south of Sicily. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with more than 2,500 persons per square mile.
Malta has a long history of civilization, starting as a Phoenician colony about 1000 B.C. In 736 B.C. the islands were occupied by the Greeks, who called the colony Malita, and later they passed successively into the possession of Carthage anbd rome.
At the division of the Roman Empire in A.D. 395, Malta wa awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. The islands were occupied by Arabs in 870. A Norman army conquered the Maltese Arabs in 1090 and Malta was later made a feudal fief of the kingdom of Sicily.
In 1530 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted Malta to the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who ruled the islands until the 19th century.
In 1798 Napoleon invaded and occupied the islands during his Egyptian campaign. Unwilling to be ruled by France, the Maltese appealed to Great Britain and in 1799 the British navy forced the withdrawal of the French. By the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1814, Malta became part of the British Empire as a crown colony.
During World War I, Malta served as a strategic naval base for the Allied forces. Great Britain granted Malta a measure of self government in 1921 as a reward for Malta's help.
During World War II, Malta withstood almost daily German and Italian air raids. In 1942, George VI, king of Great Britain, awarded the colony, as a whole, the George Cross for heroism.
A constitution approved in 1962 provided that the colony become a state with full self government. Great Britain agreed to grant full independence. The action became final in 1864.
In 1974, Malta's parliament amended the constitution to change the country to a republic.
Malta covers a total area of 122 square miles. It is made up of five islands: Malta, Comino, Cominotto, Fiifa and Gozo. Malta island covers 95 square miles and has a 62 mile coastline. It also has some excellent natrual harbors. Gozo covers 26 square miles while Comino has an area of 1.1 square miles. Cominotto and Filfa are tiny and uninhabitated.
Malta has a population of about 375,000. The largest city, on the island of Malta, is Sliema with a population of about 20,000. The nation's capital and leading port of the country, also on Malta Island, is Valletta with a population of about 15,000.
Agriculture is a chief industry in Malta. About half of the land is under cultivation. The principal crops include potatoes, tomatoes, wheat, beans and citrus fruits.
Terrace farming over much of Malta makes the countryside look much like giant steps.
Tourism is an increasingly important industry. The balmy climate attracts many visitors. Tourists &Is come to see some of the world's finest examples of Baroque and Renaissance art and architecture.