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Duchess Kate heads to Malta on solo trip; 5 things you need to know

The Duchess of Cambridge will take her first solo trip abroad for work when she heads to Malta later this year, Kensington Palace announced Monday.Duchess Kate will visit Malta from September 20-21 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth to mark the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence from England. This will be her first trip to the Mediterranean island. If all you know about Malta is that it gave
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is going to Malta
Getty Images, AP
By Eun Kyung Kim
HARROGATE, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 05: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Duchess of Camb...
Max Mumby/Indigo / Today

The Duchess of Cambridge will take her first solo trip abroad for work when she heads to Malta later this year, Kensington Palace announced Monday.

Duchess Kate will visit Malta from September 20-21 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth to mark the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence from England. This will be her first trip to the Mediterranean island. 

(dpa files) - A view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens to Valletta, the capital of Malta, March 2002. With a population of about 370,000 inhabitants, th...
A view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens to Valletta, the capital of Malta.Today

If all you know about Malta is that it gave us some adorably fluffy pups, here are a few facts to bring you up to speed on this petite European nation:

  1. Malta is located just below Italy, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya. 
  2. John Cassar, director and producer of the first seven seasons of "24," was born in Malta.
  3. "Captain Phillips," "The Da Vinci Code" and "World War Z" are among the many films that have scenes shot in Malta.
  4. Malta is one of the world's smallest countries, covering only 122 square miles, but is a popular tourist destination because of its warm climate, sweeping views and various architectural and historical monuments. 
  5. Malta was the 48th happiest country on earth, according to a report last fall by the United Nations. (The United States was 17th.)