Holidays to Malta

Holidays to Malta

Why not go on holiday or vacation to the fantastic island nation of Malta ? It can be a fantatic super place for a vacation. You may want to enjoy the beaches the culture, the towns the rich, rich history of the nation. You may want t explore the many different island locations. Maybe explore the towns the villages of the nation. Maybe you want to visit people you know. You may want to use a hotel, or a to get a villa or condo in the nation. You may want to rent or buy a place a to stay.

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea (in its eastern basin), some 93 km south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel; east of Tunisia and north of Libya in Africa. Only the three largest islands Malta Island (Malta), Gozo (Gawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna) are inhabited. The smaller islands, such as Filfla, Cominotto and the Islands of St. Paul are uninhabited. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The archipelago itself lies on the edge of the African tectonic plate, as it borders with the Eurasian plate. The landscape is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is at Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253 metres near Dingli. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes on Malta. However, some watercourses are found around the island that have fresh water running all year round. Such places are Barija, l-Intaleb and San Martin. Running water in Gozo is found at Lunzjata Valley.

Contrary to popular belief, the south of Malta is not Europe's most southern point; that distinction belongs to the Greek island of Gavdos.

Phytogeographically, Malta belongs to the Liguro-Tyrrhenian province of the Mediterranean Region within the Boreal Kingdom.

Islands

The main islands, and the only two inhabited ones, of the country are Malta Island and Gozo. Other islands that form part of the archipelago include: Comino (Kemmuna), Cominotto (Kemmunett, uninhabited), Filfla (uninhabited), Fungus Rock (Il-G.ebla tal-G.eneral, uninhabited), Manoel Island (which is joined to the town of Gz.ira, on the mainland by a bridge), and the Islands of St. Paul (uninhabited). The Maltese Islands have been an independent republic since 1974. The centre of government, commerce and culture is the capital city of Valletta, on the eastern coast of Malta.

The islands in Malta are:

Barbaganni Rock, Comino, Cominotto, Crocodile Rock, Delimara Island, Filfla, Fessej Rock, Fungus Rock, Gallis Rock, Gozo, Halfa Rock, Large Blue Lagoon Rocks, Islands of St. Paul/Selmunett Island, Malta Island, Manoel Island, Mistra Rocks, Tac-Cawl Rock, Qawra Point/Ta`Fraben Island, Small Blue Lagoon Rocks, Sala Rock, Xrob l-Gag.in Rock

In 1869 the opening of the Suez Canal benefited Malta's economy greatly, as there was a massive increase in the shipping which entered the port. Entrepôt trade saw many ships stopping at Malta's docks for refuelling, which brought great benefits to the population.

Maltese people speak the Maltese language, a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet in its standard form. The language developed from Siculo-Arabic, a Semitic dialect spoken in Sicily and surrounding Southern Italy. However in the course of Malta's recent history, the language has adopted large volumes of vocabulary, grammar, and lexology from Italian (in particular, Sicilian), English, and lesserly, French. The official languages of Malta are English and Maltese, with Italian also widely spoken.

Malta has a long history of architecture, influenced by many different mediterranean cultures over its history, and most recently, British architecture. The first settlers on the island constructed Ggantia, the oldest manmade freestanding structure in the world. Malta is currently undergoing a large scale mass building project, which include constructions such as SmartCity Malta, the M-Towers, and Pendergardens, while areas like the Valletta Waterfront and Tigne Point are being rerenovated.

Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on fresh seasonal locally available produce and seafood, with strong influence from Italian cuisine, particularly from the south. There are many unique and distinctive local dishes and the cuisine also embodies the gastronomic legacies of Malta's past, including not only Italian, but Spanish, Moorish, and more recently British influence.

List of cities in Malta
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By the usual standards that most other countries use when designating a city, Malta's cities would be too small to be considered such. There are, however, a small number of communities traditionally regarded as cities by virtue of receiving the designation of "cittá" during the rule of the Knights of St John (and one during the British rule). In Maltese law, there is no distinction made between cities, towns, and villages; the status is purely honorary. Malta is divided into 68 local councils, each having equivalent powers and responsibilities.

The Silent City

Mdina, the old capital city of Malta became known as the Silent City. Its designation is Città Notabile.

The Three Cities

Birgu (Vittoriosa), the maritime city of Malta has the designation of Città Vittoriosa. It was granted this title in 1565 after the siege of Malta by the Ottoman Turks.

Bormla (Cospicua), has the designation of Città Cospicua. It was granted this title by grand master Marc'Antonio Zondadari in 1722.

Isla (Senglea), has the designation of Città Invicta. Senglea is the most densely populated city in Malta.

These three "Cittá" used to form the urban and political centre of the Island before the building of Valletta. Later they became collectively referred to as the three cities.

The Capital City

Valletta, the capital city of Malta has the designation of Città Umilissima. It was founded in 1566.

Other Cities in Malta

Qormi, the home of Maltese Bread. It is also known as Città Pinto. It was granted this title by Grand Master Emanoel Pinto da Fonseca in 1743.

Sig.g.iewi, the countryside city, is on the west coast. It is also known as Città Ferdinand. It was granted this title in 1797.

Z.abbar, the city of bikes pilgrimage. It is also known as Città Hompesch. It was granted this title in 1797.

Z.ebbug., also known as Cittá Rohan. It was granted this title in 1777 by Grandmaster Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc.

Z.ejtun, the city of Maltese Folk Music, g?ana. It is also known as Cittá Beland. It was granted this title in 1797.

In Gozo

Victoria in Gozo, also known as Città Vittoria. It was given this name in 1887 by Britain to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Caves of Malta ; Gar Dalam, Gar Lapsi, Ninu's Cave, Xerri's Grotto

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