The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta, the largest island, is 237 square kilometers in area; Gozo is 68 square kilometers and Comino is 2 square kilometers. After Malta's independence, the industry and tourism advanced at a fast pace and presently, Malta and Gozo have established a good industrial base and flourishing tourist enterprises perfect for vacations in Malta and Malta vacation rentals. On the 1st of May 2004, Malta was one of the 10 countries which joined the European Union. The region has developed a huge lodging industry offering accommodations such as hotels, Malta vacation rentals and Malta vacation homes.



Malta is known world-wide for its distinctly hard-to-find Maltese cuisine. The food draws its influences from Italy, northern Africa and Britain. Most restaurants in resort areas like Sliema cater largely to the English on vacations in Malta, offering pub grub like meat and three vegetables or bangers and mash. You will have to go a little out of the way to find 'real' Maltese food. One of the island's specialties is rabbit (fenek). Small savory pastries known as pastizzi are also ubiquitous.