Where is Malta ? Malta is the place for sun, sea and peaceful surroundings. It is a treasure trove of arts, history and stark beauty out of all proportion to it's size. The Maltese Islands situated in the Mediterranean 100 km from Sicily and 290 km from North Africa, consists of Malta (390 square km), Gozo (65) and Comino (2.5), The Islanders (340,000 tracing their origins to before 4000 BC) owe their faith to the Apostle Paul who was shipwrecked at Malta in AD60, their language (basically semitic with sprinkling Romance), to the Arabs who ruled them for 220 years, their Culture to the Knights of St.John (who stayed for 268 years), and their deep sense of democracy to 164 years of British influence. The islands became independent in 1964, and a Republic in l974. A modern airport at Gudja provides the centre for a comprehensive hub of air communications, provided Air Malta and other major carriers, connecting Malta with all major European cities, with flights on a more or less hourly basis. The close contact with Europe is emphased by the provision of all the expected comforts of home - daily European and US newspapers, US and European TV relays, and a familiar range of.goods in the shops -, all contributing to feeling of homely comfort and familiarity - contrasted with a sense of the exotic. A perfect setting for the creative musician!