The Maltese Islands, nestled in the heart of the glowing Mediterranean Sea, cover an area of approximately 316 square kilometres, with some 21 kilometres travelling distance from East to West. The islands are quite rugged, eroded away over thousands of years of climatic impact. With no natural rivers or mountains, Malta holds a complex array of natural bays, deep harbours, inlets, and stunning coastal features around the whole perimeter.
Malta’s climate is generally warm all year round, without a definite spring or autumn season: the weather simply changes overnight. Winters are generally mild, the islands kept warm by the Mediterranean currents, and storms and heavy rain are commonly, particularly between December and February. Summers are frequently very hot and humid, with little or no rain between June and September.
Malta and Gozo’s combined population stands at around 400,000 occupants, with a large amount of these residents being foreigners, particularly British and European. Malta boasts a long and often gruesome history, being tied to some of the most fearsome battles of the last 6,000 years, including the Crusades when Malta was occupied by the Knights Of the Order of St John, and both World Wars during which Malta suffered extensive structural and social damages whilst serving as a British naval base and war time hospital. Of course, Malta’s history stretches back much further than this, to Pre-History, where our ancestors built great megalithic temples and dwelled in caves.
Under the British rule from 1801 until Independence in 1964, today Malta is a modern and thriving industrial part of the world, and is greatly linked to all the British communities throughout the continents, from Australia to India and Canada. English is the official language, but Maltese is too: a uniquely rich blend of Arabic, Semitic, Italian and English influences.
Malta and Gozo, its smaller sister island, host a huge variety of tourist hotspots, from beach resorts and nightlife complexes to a camping site and private guest houses, hotels, apartments and much more beyond. Also, in the last 30 years, Malta has become a top nightlife destination, with a booming nightlife area rapidly emerging in St Julians: Paceville, particularly favourable amongst the younger generations.
For more information about Malta and Gozo, please visit www.visitmalta.com
