The Maltese ArchipelagoThe Maltese Archipelago

GENERAL INFORMATION……GENERAL INFORMATION……

Malta , Gozo and Comino are 3 islands situated Malta , Gozo and Comino are 3 islands situated in the middle of the mediterranean sea , exactly in the middle of the mediterranean sea , exactly under Sicily . under Sicily .

Malta is 17.5miles (28.2km) long and 8.3 miles Malta is 17.5miles (28.2km) long and 8.3 miles (13.4km) wide .(13.4km) wide .

Gozo is 5 miles (8km) distant from Malta .It is Gozo is 5 miles (8km) distant from Malta .It is 9miles(14.5km) long and 4.5miles(7.2km) wide.9miles(14.5km) long and 4.5miles(7.2km) wide.

Comino is 1mile squared (2.5km squared )Comino is 1mile squared (2.5km squared )

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The population is around 400,000 . The population is around 400,000 .

We have a pretty hot climate , unlike other We have a pretty hot climate , unlike other countries , snow is never seen in Malta countries , snow is never seen in Malta . The . The highest temperature ever recorded in Malta is highest temperature ever recorded in Malta is +43.8c , whilst the lowest is 1.5 c .+43.8c , whilst the lowest is 1.5 c .

We are Catholics and was introduced in Malta We are Catholics and was introduced in Malta by Saint Paul when he was shipwrecked on by Saint Paul when he was shipwrecked on these islands around 60 after Christ . these islands around 60 after Christ .

We have 2 main languages : Maltese & English .We have 2 main languages : Maltese & English .

THE FLAGTHE FLAG

The cross on the The cross on the white part of the flag white part of the flag is the George Cross . is the George Cross . It was given to Malta It was given to Malta by King George VI for by King George VI for the “heroism showed the “heroism showed by the Maltese by the Maltese population” when it population” when it resisted German and resisted German and Italian attacks in Italian attacks in World War II. World War II.

Some HistorySome HistoryMan first arrived in Malta around Man first arrived in Malta around 5200BC probably from nearby 5200BC probably from nearby Sicily.Sicily.

Prior to 1964 when we obtained Prior to 1964 when we obtained our independence Malta was our independence Malta was invaded and ruled by various invaded and ruled by various empires , including : Arabs , empires , including : Arabs , Romans , Normans , French , Romans , Normans , French , British and others . Each of these British and others . Each of these civilisations left temples and other civilisations left temples and other monuments which can be viewed monuments which can be viewed even today as the one on the left . even today as the one on the left .

Interesting to know that the oldest Interesting to know that the oldest free standing building in the World free standing building in the World was found in Gozo and it is still was found in Gozo and it is still available to be viewed to this day .available to be viewed to this day .

OLD CAPITAL CITYOLD CAPITAL CITYThe old capital of Malta is Mdina. It is an interesting and typical medieval The old capital of Malta is Mdina. It is an interesting and typical medieval town situated in the centre of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also town situated in the centre of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also known, commands a magnificent view of the Island and although it is fully known, commands a magnificent view of the Island and although it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme. inhabited, silence reigns supreme. 

It is thought to have been first populated by the Phoenicians around 1000 It is thought to have been first populated by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the Governor chose to build his BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the Governor chose to build his Palace there and it housed the government. The city earned its present day Palace there and it housed the government. The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 AD. They name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 AD. They surrounded the city with thicker walls, separating it from its nearest town, surrounded the city with thicker walls, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat. Rabat. 

Today, mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there is a calming Today, mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there is a calming atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets and ways, passing by atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets and ways, passing by some of the best Norman and Baroque architecture on the island. Several some of the best Norman and Baroque architecture on the island. Several Palaces are situated here, most serving as private homes. The Cathedral is Palaces are situated here, most serving as private homes. The Cathedral is worth visiting and is fronted by a large square, the only open space you'll worth visiting and is fronted by a large square, the only open space you'll find. find.

OUR CAPITAL CITY: VALLETTAVallettaValletta has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. It is the "modern" city built has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. It is the "modern" city built by the Knights of St John; a masterpiece of the baroque; a European Art City; and a by the Knights of St John; a masterpiece of the baroque; a European Art City; and a World Heritage City. But these are just some of its faces and fortunes. World Heritage City. But these are just some of its faces and fortunes.

VallettaValletta is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Nowhere in Malta is the life of the Islands reflected commercial heart of the Islands. Nowhere in Malta is the life of the Islands reflected more than here. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grid more than here. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grid of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces. of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces.

OUR CAPITAL CITY: VALLETTAOUR CAPITAL CITY: VALLETTA

VallettaValletta hosts a vast cultural programme. Street events are staged hosts a vast cultural programme. Street events are staged against the city's magnificent baroque architecture and floodlit against the city's magnificent baroque architecture and floodlit bastions. There is theatre and music and all manner of things to see bastions. There is theatre and music and all manner of things to see and join in, from avant garde art to traditional church festas. The city and join in, from avant garde art to traditional church festas. The city is a delight to shop in: narrow side streets are full of tiny shops is a delight to shop in: narrow side streets are full of tiny shops selling antiques, maps, books, prints and jewellery. selling antiques, maps, books, prints and jewellery.

Walking around Walking around VallettaValletta, you'll come across an intriguing historical , you'll come across an intriguing historical site around every corner: votive statues, niches, fountains and coats site around every corner: votive statues, niches, fountains and coats of arms high up on parapets. And when you need to stop and take it of arms high up on parapets. And when you need to stop and take it all in, the city yields up squares, courtyards, gardens and any all in, the city yields up squares, courtyards, gardens and any number of cafés, right on cue. number of cafés, right on cue.

OUR TOWN: GŻIRAOUR TOWN: GŻIRA

OUR SCHOOL: ST CLARE COLLEGE OUR SCHOOL: ST CLARE COLLEGE GZIRA PRIMARYGZIRA PRIMARY

THE END!THE END!