1809 Bibby, steel engraving of Malta, Valletta harbour and vignettes

Malta

Engraved by H. Bibby

Published in London ca 1845

Size (in cm): 15.5 x 23.5 cm

Bird's eye view shows the city of Valletta on the island of Malta; History: Malta's location has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, and a succession of powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Habsburg Spain, Knights of St. John, French and British, have ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974.