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Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean (in its eastern basin), some 80 km (50 mi) from southern Italy across the Malta Channel. Only the three largest islands—Malta (Maltese: Malta), Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna)—are inhabited.
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- Overview
- Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
Malta comprises five islands—Malta (the largest), Gozo, Comino, and the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filfla.
What kind of climate does Malta have?
Malta typically has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers, warm and sporadically wet autumns, and short cool winters with adequate rainfall. The annual mean temperature is in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (about 19 degrees Celsius), and monthly averages range from the mid-50s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (about 12 to 29 degrees Celsius).
What languages are spoken in Malta?
Maltese and English are the official languages of Malta. Maltese resulted from the fusion of North African Arabic and a Sicilian dialect of Italian and is the only Semitic language officially written in Latin script. English is a medium of instruction in schools. Italian is understood by a sizable portion of the population.
Does Malta have an official religion?
The country comprises five islands—Malta (the largest), Gozo, Comino, and the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filfla—lying some 58 miles (93 km) south of Sicily, 180 miles (290 km) north of Libya, and about 180 miles (290 km) east of Tunisia, at the eastern end of the constricted portion of the Mediterranean Sea separating Italy from the African coast.
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The islands of Malta are dominated by limestone formations, and much of their coastlines consist of steep or vertical limestone cliffs indented by bays, inlets, and coves. They lie on the submerged Malta-Hyblean Platform, a wide undersea shelf bridge that connects the Ragusa Platform of southern Sicily with the Tripolitana Platform of southern Libya.
The main physical characteristic of the island of Malta is a well-defined escarpment that bisects it along the Victoria Lines Fault running along the whole breadth of the island from Point ir-Raħeb near Fomm ir-Riħ Bay to the coast northeast of Għargħur at Madliena Fort. The highest areas are coralline limestone uplands that constitute a triangular plateau; Ta’ Żuta, which rises to 830 feet (253 metres) in the southwest, is the highest point. The uplands are separated from the surrounding areas by blue clay slopes, while an undercliff area is found where the coralline plateau has fallen and forms a subordinate surface between the sea and the original shore. The total shoreline of Malta is about 136 miles (219 km).
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In northern Malta the escarpment is occasionally abrupt and broken by deep embayments. To the south, however, the plateau gradually descends from about 600 to 830 feet (180 to 250 metres) into undulating areas of globigerina (derived from marine protozoa) limestone less than 300 feet (90 metres) in elevation. The western area is characterized by deeply incised valleys and undercliff areas, while to the east there are several valley systems that descend to the central plains.
The west coast of Malta presents a high, bold, and generally harbourless face. On the east, however, a tongue of high ground known as Mount Sceberras, on which the capital city, Valletta, is built, separates Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour. Because of tectonic activity, Malta has been tilted in a northerly direction, producing cliffs of up to about 800 feet (250 metres) high on the south and southwestern coasts, while slopes descend to low cliffs and rocky shores on the northern and eastern coasts.
The island of Malta possesses favourable conditions for the percolation and underground storage of water. The impermeable blue clays provide two distinct water tables between the limestone formations—the perched and the mean sea-level aquifer. The principal source for the public supply of water has for several centuries been the main sea-level wate...
Mainly young or immature and thin, Maltese soils generally lack humus, and a high carbonate content gives them alkaline properties. Human settlement and construction developments have altered the distribution and composition of soils. The Fertile Soil (Preservation) Act of 1973 requires that, when soils are removed from construction sites, they be ...
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Malta is the largest island in an archipelago in the central Mediterranean, some 80 km (50 mi) south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. Malta is located east of its sister islands of Gozo and Comino.
- Filfa, St Paul's Islands, Manoel Island.
- Maltese Archipelago
- 5 islands that surround Malta
Discover Malta's rich history, culture and nature with Lonely Planet's expert tips and recommendations. Explore prehistoric temples, stunning coastlines, scuba diving, museums and more in this small archipelago.
May 11, 2022 · Discover the top highlights of Malta, a tiny island nation with compelling sights and rich history. Explore 5000-year-old temples, swim in lagoons, and enjoy the 16th-century cityscape of Valletta. Discover the world's most intriguing experiences with Lonely Planet's weekly newsletter.
May 12, 2022 · Explore the diverse attractions of Malta and Gozo, from Valletta's historic cannons and culture to Gozo's coastal trails and sea caves. Discover the best of this compact island nation at the heart of the Mediterranean with Lonely Planet's recommendations for culture, cuisine, and outdoor adventures.
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