Well, I never knew where exactly Malta was until I joined CS! ... and then I went there to a get-together .... and sort of found it somewhere near Italy(?) The whole place had a sort of "gemischt" feeling of Italy, Sicily, Arabica, Morroco, India, all the exotic sort of countries?
And then, lo and behold, the other day I met a most friendly couple having a meal in one of the local restaurants ...... and they were MALTESE! Usually no-one real talks to other people sitting at other tables here, but this couple were friendly and smiling, and we made friends ..... they LIVE in my village!