Malta and its islands: Gozo and Comino [antikvár]

Iiitroductioii The Republic of Malta is located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. The archipelago is formed of two main islands, Malta and Gozo which, as well as Comino, are the only inhabited islands, and some smaller uninhabited islands named Cominotto, Filfla and St Paul, Thanks to its position, Malta has represented a bridge between Europe and Africa since ancient times. The islands are in fact only 90 kilometres from Sicily and 290 from the African coast. With a population of about 400,000 inhabitants and a surface area of 320 km^, Malta has the highest density of population per square kilometre of any European country. Numerous peoples have occupied these islands in the course of its lengthy history (Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, French and English) leaving behind an artistic and cultural heritage of immense value. As early as prehistoric times large temples were built indicating a highly developed and sophisticated civilization. It was, however, under the Order of the Knights of Saint John that Malta developed culturally and artistically and the island was enhanced with beautiful palaces, churches, fortifications and works of art. With its mild chmate, clear sea, impressive cliffs and the bright colours of the Mediterranean shrubs, this group of islands is a true paradise and an ideal destination for holidays of all kinds. The Maltese have traces of all the various peoples who have lived in Malta and combine the traits of many ethnic groups, although characteristic Semitic and Anglo-Saxon features are predominant. Most of the population is, however, of Arab descent. The Catholic religion is practised by 90 per cent of the inhabitants. The official languages are Maltese and English. The former is of Semitic origin and the vocabulary contains a wealth of words with neo-Latin and Anglo-Saxon origins. There are numerous instances of the Arab influence, which lasted some 300 years, especially in the grammatical structure of the language, as well as in the vocabulary. Italian was the official language of the Knights of the Order of St John and until 1934 also of culture and the ruling classes and is therefore still quite common today. 3