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Malta, the largest island, and her sister islands
of Gozo, Comino, Filfla and other very small
islands, are strategically placed in the narrow
channel joining the eastern and the western
basins of the Mediterranean, the perfect bridge
between Southern Europe and North Africa, or
between Western Europe and the Middle East.
This had landed the Maltese Islands right in
the middle of the most important historic events:
the wars between Rome and Carthage, the rise
of Islam, the Crusades, the wars between Christians
and Moslems, the rise and fall of Napoleon,
the rise and fall of the British Empire, the
fight for democracy against Fascism and Nazism,
the Cold War, the rise of a United Europe and
the challenges of the Third Millennium.
Malta has been inhabited since around 5200
BC and a significant pre-historic civilization
existed on the islands well before the arrival
of the Phoenicians who named the main island
Malat, meaning "safe haven". Once
part of the Roman Empire, it was seized and
controlled by many factions over the centuries,
including Napoleon. In 1814, it became a British
colony. That British control ended in 1964,
as Malta gained its independence. Today Malta
forms part of the European Union.
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Size,
Location and Population
The Maltese Islands - Malta, Gozo, Comino,
together with the two uninhabited Islands
of Cominetto, Filfla are only 93kms south
of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa.
Just a short distance away, considering
that most people drive further than this
to go to work.
The size of Malta is about 27 km long
by 14.5 km width, taking just over an
hour's drive between its two furthest
points. The total area is approximately
316 sq km (Malta 246 sq km, Gozo 67 sq
km, Comino 2.7 sq km). The longest distance
in Malta from North West to South East
is about 27 km, with 14.5 km width in
an East - West direction.
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Languages
Malta has two official languages, Maltese
and English. The English language is a
leftover of about 160 years of the British
colonization of Malta. Maltese, whose
closest languages are Arabic, Syrian,
Lebanese and Palestinian, is the only
Semitic language that is written in Roman
alphabet.
Italian, too, is widely spoken especially
among the younger generation, particularly
due to the television programs that are
transmitted from nearby Italy.
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Religion
The Roman Catholic faith is predominant
in Malta. There are 365 catholic churches
on the islands, one for every day of the
year. The church is a very prominent aspect
of the Maltese way of life; nevertheless,
other faiths have been imported to Malta
and embraced by various Maltese people.
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Climate
Predominantly warm and sunny, the Maltese
Islands experience short mild winters
and long hot summers. Rainfall is generally
confined to the months between September
and April. Annual Malta rainfall is low;
averaging 578mm a year, and the length
of the dry season in summer is longer
than in neighboring Italy.
Long springs from March to May, and autumn,
from September to the beginning of December,
are particularly pleasant seasons with
temperatures around the low 22°C to 25°C
for much of the time. Hot winds from Africa
occasionally bring unseasonably high temperatures
and humidity.
The winter months, December to March,
are mild and far from severe. Occasional
short chilly periods, brought about by
the north and northeasterly winds from
central Europe, cools Malta down to average
temperatures from 12°C to 14°C. Centrally
heated houses are a rare; they would be
something of an extravagance. Rains are
rather frequent during this period, however
a completely wet day is a rarity. Usually
the rain pours heavily for an hour or
so. The sun reappears in no time to dry
it all up again. Summers in Malta are
hot, dry and very sunny. Cooling sea breezes
often mitigates daytime temperatures.
The hottest time of the year is between
July and September, when temperatures
can get as high as 30°C to 36°C. Summer
is obviously the time to spend in or near
the sea and in Malta, that is never too
far away. The sea temperature gets up
to around the 25°C to 27°C. Sea bathing
is quite possible well in to the 'winter'
months, and the peak beach season can
last until mid- to late October.
The nice thing about the Maltese climate
is that if you can plan a picnic or a
round of golf or any outdoor activity
and you can be pretty sure that it will
take place as scheduled. It must have
some beneficial effect as the Maltese
enjoy an exceptionally high standard of
health. There is no doubt that, all things
considered, Malta's climate is one of
its biggest assets.
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Medical
Malta's reputation is that of excellent
medical services, including medical facilities
and doctors and specialists from various
disciplines. Along with the main general
hospital, there are a number of health
centers open day and night to care for
patients' needs. Malta has reciprocal
health care agreements with a number of
countries when it comes to providing visitors
with urgent medical care.
Private medical care is available through
an infinite number of small clinics all
around the islands, as well as 2 private
hospitals. Private care is provided at
a charge, just as in the case of non-Maltese
nationals being treated in Government
Hospitals. There are also a large number
of doctors that take home visits.
Visitors to Malta are advised to check
with their respective Health authorities
as to whether medical arrangements exist
between their country and Malta. If this
is not the case, insurance is recommended.
Further information may be obtained from
diplomatic representatives in respective
countries of origin, or from www.health.gov.mt,
the Ministry of Health's website.
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Places
of interest
Museums
Manoel Theatre Museum, Valletta
National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta
Natural History Museum, Mdina
Cathedral Museum, Mdina
St John's Co-Cathedral Museum, Valletta
The War Museum, Valletta
Aviation Museum, Ta' Qali
The Toy Museum, Valletta
Churches
St. John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Mdina Cathedral, Mdina
Mosta Dome, Mosta
St. Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta
Pre-Historic Sites
Hagar Qim and Imnajdra Temples, Qrendi
Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum, Birzebbugia
Neolithic Temples, Tarxien
The Hypogeum, Tarxien
Ggantija Temples, Xaghra, Gozo
Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum, Birzebbuga
Ghar il-Kbir, Dingli
Fortifications
Mdina
Valletta
The Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea
and Cospiqua
The Citadel, Gozo
Fort Chambray, Gozo
Beaches
Ghadira Bay, Mellieha Golden
Bay l/o Mgarr
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay l/o Mgarr
Gnejna Bay, Gnejna l/o Mgarr
Paradise Bay, Cirkewwa
Armier Bays, l/o Mellieha
St. George's Bay, St. Juilans
Bugibba Bay, St. Paul's Bay
St. George's Bay, Birzebbuga
Pretty Bay, Birzebbuga
Ramla Bay, Gozo
Masalforn Bay, Gozo
Blue Lagoon, Comino
Other recommendations
Manoel Theater Shows, Valletta
The Malta Experience, Valletta
The Wartime Experience, Valletta
The Great Siege of Malta and The Knights
of St. John, Valletta
Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta
Knights of Malta, Mdina
Mdina Dungeons, Mdina
Mdina Experience Show, Mdina
Medieval Times, Mdina
Norman House, Mdina
St. Agatha's Catacombs, Rabat
St. Paul's Catacombs, Rabat
St. Paul's Grotto, Rabat
Dingli Cliffs, Dingli
General's Rock, Gozo
Azure Window, Gozo
The Village Fiests
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Leisure
The Islands' climate and indented coastline
of 200km of clear and clean waters are
the perfect combination for a vast choice
of leisure and outdoor activities.
Yachting
Malta is recognized as a perfect base
for wintering one's yacht. Malta's reputation
is of excellent repair facilities. Charges
for hauling out and 'storing on hard'
are very reasonable. A number of beautiful
marinas namely, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, the
historic Cottonera Marina, and Mgarr (Gozo)
all offer modern yachting facilities with
both serviced and un-serviced quays at
very reasonable rates. Amenities include:
- water, telephone, electricity, weather
forecasts, DF Beacon, ship-to-shore radio,
chart depot, supply of bottled gas, etc.
Several yachting agencies, which operate
from the proximity of the yachting centers,
undertake to look after yachts afloat
over the winter and also carry out necessary
maintenance work. A yacht yard comprising
of 9 modern slipways is in full operation
and has facilities for slipping, repairing,
converting and servicing of yachts of
all sizes up to 500 tons. A cruise around
the islands is a real delight. The sailing
season stretches from April to November.
Even in the remaining winter months sailing
is very common as sunny days are never
far away.
The yacht's registration book, together
with passports covering all crewmembers
and passengers, must be presented to Customs
and Immigration officials, who call on
the yacht. Yachts may only remain on anchor
in midstream within the Yachting Center
until the berthing master, who must be
contacted at the Yachting Centre offices,
or on VHF channel 19, allocates a specific
berth.
Sports Facilities
Malta offers a wide variety of sporting
facilities. Many of the larger hotels,
aware of the current trend towards health
and fitness, have all added state-of-the-art
gyms and other facilities for the use
of their guests and non-guests as members.
Facilities often include tennis courts,
squash courts, weight and cardio-vascular
rooms and saunas. Most hotels also offer
water sport facilities, including scuba
diving, water skiing, windsurfing and
sailing. Windsurfing boards can be rented
at practically every major beach in Malta.
The Marsa Sports Club, which is spread
over an immensely large area, offers some
of the best facilities on the Islands.
Among its numerous features are 19 tennis
courts, an 18-hole golf-course, cricket
ground, 5 squash courts, Polo field, archery,
swimming pool, athletics field, gymnasium
and lots more. Located near the club are
a horse racetrack and horse riding facilities
and various riding schools, as well as
soccer and rugby field. The Royal Malta
Golf Club in Marsa is the only golf club
and golf course currently on the islands.
Plans are on the way for another one in
the very near future.
Malta also offers some of the best scuba
diving conditions and instruction in the
world. Many water sports centers and diving
schools offer lessons and scuba diving
equipment rentals. The Islands have a
lot to offer to the experienced diver,
as well as being an ideal location for
beginners. The waters around the islands
are tide-free, warm, clear and safe. Visibility
often exceeds 30 meters and the underwater
scenery and fauna are varied and spectacular.
The choice of dive sites includes caves,
drop-offs, cliff sites and wrecks - by
day or night, either by boat or from the
shore.
Soccer ("Football" in Malta)
is the country's most popular sport. The
season begins in September and runs through
May, when the league championships are
held as well as other competitions. The
National Stadium at Ta' Qali has been
the venue of many international competitions.
Numerous 5-a-side fields with artificial
turf may be found all around the Islands.
They are available for lease for a very
small for fee.
In addition to the previously mentioned
sports, Malta boasts a wide selection
of other sporting events, including Judo,
Basketball, Cycling, Table Tennis, Hockey,
Water polo, Swimming, Wrestling and more.
A ten-pin bowling alley is open all week
at St. George's Bay, St. Julian's, and
the shooting range in Bidnija (l/o Mosta)
has an Olympic Trap with practice shootings
taking place on Sunday mornings.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Dining al fresco is one of life's simple
pleasures. Choose from romantic palazzos
or meticulously restored farmhouses to
bustling harbour restaurants with magnificent
views and discover the range of Maltese
or International cuisine, wines and beers.
The Islands offer a very good choice of
restaurants and also cafes, from deluxe
to fast food (hamburgers and fish &
chips), including Chinese, fish and beachside
bars. Table service is normal, but many
bars and cafes have table and/or counter
service. Fish dishes are recommended and
the vegetables and fruit are excellent.
There are several discos, bars and nightclubs.
Roulette, baccarat, blackjack and boule
can be played at the 'Dragonara' casino,
St Julian's or at the Casino de Venezia
in Vittoriosa. The Manoel Theater is one
of the oldest in Europe. Cinemas show
mainly English and American films .
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