Malta’s the big sister, the largest island in a seven-strong archipelago just a stone’s throw from Europe… and not far at all from Africa. The island’s history began with the megalithic stone temples at Gozo, which may just be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. Valletta is Malta’s capital, and its bustling streets are lined with superb Baroque buildings, palaces, gardens and churches. The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its nickname is Superbissima (“most proud”). Malta has two official languages: Maltese, the national language, and English. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004, and four years later became part of the Eurozone.