Malta is a small island country in the Mediterranean Sea. Most people know this much. You might also know that they have their own language and it’s a popular tourist destination too.

However, did you know that this tiny country occupying just 122 square miles of land has around 8,000 years worth of history? Or that it has less than half a million residents?

Here are some more interesting facts about Malta that will probably make you want to go there right away:

1. The Heritage of Eight Millennia

The history of Malta is a huge topic. After all, it all started around 6,000 BC. Since the time of Christ, 11 foreign entities ruled Malta until it finally became independent in 1964.

Malta has retained a lot of heritage sites and culture from the times of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Order of St. John (the Knights of Malta) and, most recently, the British.

In the past, Malta was also ruled by the Muslims and the Phoenicians way before that. So, it’s a land where most of the region’s cultures have left a trace.

What matters the most is that all of this history is still evident today. This explains why Malta is so popular with tourists. It’s not just the perfect subtropical weather that they’re after.

2. Lots of Gambling Companies

Gambling is one of the most popular businesses in Malta, along with blockchain and game development. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of international casino, online & mobile casinos and other gambling-related companies that reside in Malta.

This is due to favourable laws and taxes related to running businesses like that. This results in an extraordinary number and density of such companies, especially for a country of this size.

3. Three Times More Tourists Than Locals

Malta is an incredibly multi-cultural country with loads of expats who live there long-term as well as tourists coming to explore the island during their vacation.

According to the official data, about 1,6 million tourists visit Malta every single year. That’s more than three times as many people as there are residents on the island.

As a result, being there can feel really claustrophobic, especially during the peak season in the summer. Regardless, there’s a lot to explore there, so the tourists don’t just clutter in the capital.

4. Almost Every Citizen Owns a Car

What’s even more surprising is that there are more than 300,000 cars registered in Malta. For a population of under half a million, it’s an unusual statistic.

Indeed, this number of cars tends to create traffic jams and huge parking problems. What were they thinking, living on such a small island?

Well, the popularity of owning a car was caused by rather poor infrastructure in the first place. Luckily, the government is looking for solutions, as it’s difficult enough to contain all the cars on the roads as it is!

So, there are both good and bad sides to Malta. However, we have only shown you the tip of an iceberg here. The rest is even more surprising, though you’ll have to discover it for yourself.