Malta

The Maltese archipelago includes the islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto and Filfla. It has a history of colonial control spanning centuries.

Located 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, after the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross for defending the island during World War II. Forty years on Malta was the smallest of the 10 countries to join the EU in May 2004.

Malta's EU application, which was shelved by a former Socialist government, was revived in 1998 by the Eddie Fenech Adami of the Nationalist Party who was then prime minister.

The island's population voted in favour of membership in a referendum in March 2003. The referendum result was confirmed the following month when Mr Adami won a general election in which EU membership was the crucial issue.

Each year the population of Malta is tripled by an influx of tourists - the nation's main source of income.