{i} Mediterranean island between Sicily and Africa; Republic of Malta, country consisting of the island of Malta and two adjacent islands
a group of small islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and an independent republic and member of the British Commonwealth since 1964. It consists of three main islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Population: 394,583 (2001). Capital: Valletta. Island country, south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea
a strategically located island south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea a republic on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1964
a republic on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1964
or Hospitallers in full (since 1961) Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. Religious order founded at Jerusalem in the 11th century to care for sick pilgrims. Recognized by the pope in 1113, the order built hostels along the routes to the Holy Land. The Hospitallers acquired wealth and lands and began to combine the task of tending the sick with waging war on Islam, eventually becoming a major military force in the Crusades. After the fall of the crusader states, they moved their headquarters to Cyprus and later to Rhodes (1309). They ruled Rhodes until it fell to the Turks in 1523; thereupon they moved to Malta, where they ruled until their defeat by Napoleon I in 1798. In 1834 they moved to their present headquarters in Rome
or Hospitallers in full (since 1961) Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. Religious order founded at Jerusalem in the 11th century to care for sick pilgrims. Recognized by the pope in 1113, the order built hostels along the routes to the Holy Land. The Hospitallers acquired wealth and lands and began to combine the task of tending the sick with waging war on Islam, eventually becoming a major military force in the Crusades. After the fall of the crusader states, they moved their headquarters to Cyprus and later to Rhodes (1309). They ruled Rhodes until it fell to the Turks in 1523; thereupon they moved to Malta, where they ruled until their defeat by Napoleon I in 1798. In 1834 they moved to their present headquarters in Rome