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Dimensions of the box: 27.0 x 40.2 x 5.0 cm

Only 5000 were made.

Monopoly now finds its home in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with the idyllic Malthese Islands. Malta is one of the 27 European Union member states, having joined in 2004 and adopting the Euro in 2008.

You can now enjoy playing the classic game buying and selling the Maltese and Gozitan Localities that give the Maltese Islands their unique and positively mythic character. The genuine friendliness the Maltese are known for welcomes you to a country with exquisite historical wealth dating back 7000 years, blended with a modern lifestyle, superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches and a thriving nightlife.

The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces and as the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and grand palaces, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum.

The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that have occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a facinating eclectic culture.

Around the year 870 Malta was taken in possession by islamic Arabs and in 1091 by the Vikings. As from 1565 the meanwhile more Christian island came in possession of the Maltese Knights. They built large settlements in amongst others Valletta, Mdina and Rabat on Gozo. From 1800 till 1964 Malta was a British colony and in 1974 it became a republic. In 2004 the country joined the European Union and in January 2008 the Euro was introduced.

During World War II Malta was heavilly bombed and shooted by the German Luftwaffe, particularly during the Siege of Malta. The British King awarded the island a high decoration for bravery, the George Cross. This George Cross also appears in the upper hoist corner of the flag and in the Coat of arms.

The Maltese people got the opportunity to choose the best out of three pictures for the box cover. It was Rene Rossignaud who was commissioned by gamebox ltd to take all the photography of the Maltese Islands for a selection to be featured.

The three final options (from the selection of photos) for the front cover were shortlisted by a panel of judges and consisted of:

Valletta Waterfront (by night)

This image was shortlisted due to the historical value of the waterfront together with a modern touch, as well as the fact that a very large portion of tourists land at the waterfront through cruise liners. The waterfront is also part of Malta’s historical capital city whilst showing the sea as part of Malta’s assets.

L-Imnajdra Temples

They one of the oldest structures in the world, older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge. In 1992, L-Mnajdra, together with Hagar Qim, Ta’Hagrat, Ta’Skorba and Tarxien Temples were declared by UNESCO as world heritage sites joining Ggantija in Malta’s prestigious list which was listed in 1980. L-Imnajdra therefore presents an impeccable representation of the Maltese historical value.

The Malta Cross on a flag

Again, the Maltese Cross was chosen due to it’s historical value to Malta. Inherited by the Maltese in the 15th Century from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta also known as the Knights of St.John, the cross represents Loyalty, Piety, Frankness, Bravery, Glory and Honour, Contempt of Death, Helpfulness towards the poor and sick and Respect for the church; a symbol which the Maltese ancestors have earned during the Great Siege in 1565.