Background:
Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.
Malta Introduction 2011
https://theodora.com/wfb2011/malta/malta_introduction.html
SOURCE: 2011 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK AND OTHER SOURCES
