Malta

Be enchanted with Malta's beautiful beaches, its unique historical sites, its rich culture and the plentiful nightlife activities. It has been said that the Maltese islands are the 'open air museum of the Mediterranean', showcasing 7,000 years of history, and many cultural, historical and megalithic sites. The islands showcases prehistoric ruins, which are socked in the legacy of the medieval order of the Knights of St John, who used the island as their stronghold for defending Christendom.

Understanding the Geography

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation consisting of an archipelago of seven islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, some 93 km south of Sicily. Only the three largest islands Malta Island (Malta), Gozo (Ghawdex), 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 landscape is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is at Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253 metres (830 ft) near Dingli. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes on Malta.

The Malta Channel to the north separates Malta from the island of Sicily, the largest Italian isle.

Contrary to popular belief, the south of Malta is not Europe's most southern point:

Cities in Malta

• Valletta — the capital, named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565.
• Bu?ibba
• Cottonera (Three Cities) — The name used when referring to Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, three towns conglomerated together by 17th century fortifications called the Cottonera lines.
• Marsaxlokk
• Mdina — Malta's well-preserved quiet old capital
• Rabat
• Sliema — beach package tourist central just north of Valletta

Climate Conditions

The local climate is Mediterranean temperate climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

There is no real thermal dormant season for plants, although plant growth can be checked briefly by abnormal cold in winter, and summer heat and aridity may cause vegetation to wilt. Effectively there are only two seasons, which makes the islands attractive for tourists especially during the drier months.

Water supply poses a problem on Malta, as the summer is both rainless and also the time of greatest water use, and the winter rainfall often falls as heavy showers and runs off to the sea rather than soaking into the ground.