Travel the World - Week 27

This is the 27th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Malta

There are three islands of Malta: Gozo, Comino and Malta, the country that sits about 50 miles south of Sicily.

The name of the island nation is supposedly derived from a Greek word meaning “honey.” The island has an endemic species of bee, which produces a unique type of honey for which the island is very well known.

Malta is among the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries.

While it showcases some great architecture and natural sights, you won’t find a single forest in Malta. There are also no mountains or rivers across all seven islands.

It's a walkers paradise, with numerous tours to take visitors along the coastline of Malta and Gozo.

Malta has one of the best climates in the world and enjoys over 3000 hours of sunshine every year.

Mdina, the nation's old, walled capital, only allows cars of residents on its roads.

Valletta, its current capital, is one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world.

Valletta was the first ever planned city in Europe. The city was sketched out back in 1565 during the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Completed in just 15 years, it also holds a record as one of the quickest scaled cities in the world.

Prior to 2011, the buses in the country were operated by their self-employed owner drivers. However, since then, buses in the country are operated by a single company.

Malta is an attractive destination for big budget movies, with major blockbuster productions shooting on various locations around the islands. Scenes in movies like Gladiator, World War Z and Captain Philips as well as TV series like Game of Thrones. 

Comino, the smallest of the islands, is virtually uninhabited--save one hotel--and is carless. Blue Lagoon is its biggest attraction and it's not hard to see why.

Malta enjoys some of the world’s clearest waters that are just perfect for diving. You can explore reefs, sunken ships and wrecked aircraft in and around its shorelines.

Malta is home to some of the oldest free-standing structures of the world – the seven Megalithic Temples. Malta is believed to have been inhabited since the early Neolithic period of 5000 BC.

A pastizz (plural pastizzi) is a traditional savoury pastry from Malta. Pastizzi usually have a filling either of ricotta  or mushy peas. Visitors to Malta are highly encouraged to try these delicious local delicacies. 

Malta is an extremely religious country with Roman Catholicism being the main faith. According to the Bible, St Paul was shipwrecked in Malta and converted its inhabitants in 60 AD.

I decided to let this Malta fact be the inspiration for this week's card... You could stay in Malta for exactly one year and visit a different church every day; there are an impressive 365 churches dotted around Malta and its sister island of Gozo.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Our Daily Bread Worship the Lord stamped with Catherine Pooler Midnight Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Bravo Burgundy CS

Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs Glitter Enamel Dots