Welcome to Malta!

South of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, Malta has developed a unique culture influenced by the various powers of their day that claimed the islands through the ages.

The lure of the island, steeped in history and rich with the beauty of the majestic cliffs in the northwest dropping down to sandy beaches, draws visitors from around the world. EarthCam and our Malta affiliates, Alberta Group, the Malta Tourism Authority and The Golden Sands Resort and Spa are proud to share live views from two locations reflecting the history and beauty of the island.

Witness dramatic live views of the entrance to historic Valletta Grand Harbour where the vessels of dominant empires from ancient Phoenicia in about 700 BC to Great Britain in the last century passed to rule the central Mediterranean Sea archipelago.

For the ultimate in five-star relaxation enjoy the live view and the Mediterranean sunsets at Golden Bay from a camera perched atop the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa.

The Grand Harbour view features the architecture of the islands from the oldest freestanding structure in the world, the temple of Hagar Qim (about 3200 BC) to 16th Century bastions built by the Knights of St.John, to protect the islands from the Ottoman Empire, and offers a majestic look into the past.

The waterfront of the harbor is lined with restaurants and shops. The area provides visitors the opportunity to plan tours of the historic sites, baroque churches and a variety of intriguing locations or make arrangements to take a leisurely educational and pleasurable cruise of the harbors.

In the northwest of the island Golden Beach at the base of a spectacular steep cliff beckons with soft sands and opportunities for rest, relaxation and watersports enjoyed both by visitors and Maltese islanders. Enjoy unique views of the clear, tourquoise and blue of the sea on the west and the green landscape on the east as seen from the plush The Golden Sands Resort and Spa.

Although Malta is celebrating 34 years as a republic, the natural harbors and the strategic location of the islands have enticed civilizations throughout recorded time.

The islands said to be first colonized by the Phoenicians, were later ruled by Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Moors, the Holy Roman Empire, the Knights of Malta , Napoleon and finally Great Britain until December, 13, 1974 when the Islands became a republic. Malta's unique character is drawn from all the civilizations, which have left their influence on the makeup of the language, food, architecture, and religions.

For more information, please visit our affiliates at http://www.visitmalta.com and http://www.goldensands.com.mt .