Article by: Mr Leslie Pavia sales@paviaproperties.net Published: 14/03/2008

The landscape in Malta is typical of any Mediterranean island. With its rocky surface, huge cliff faces and rolling hills, it presents the onlooker with a wonderful backdrop. It is a tiny island that pans 19 miles by 7. With such a small surface area, towns and villages seem to blend together, and with a population of over 370,000 there are said to be around 3000 people per square kilometer.

There is not a huge amount of greenery but this is typical of the islands' location. Villages like Gharghur and Mosta are surrounded by valleys that are dry and arid during the summer months but prove to be greener later on in the year. What are really fascinating are the ancient rubble walls found almost everywhere that divide the rocky landscape and hills, built to protect the land from soil erosion.

The cliffs prove to be the most stunning landmarks of Malta and Gozo. Dingli Cliffs are the most popular, as some parts have heights of over 200 meters, and the views will leave you breathless and are even more spectacular at sunset with an endless horizon of open water. Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Sands are two beaches in close proximity yet are divided by clay hills and farming land, they too reveal the essence of a timeless landscape. Agriculture is a primary industry, yet farmers can still be seen to be using traditional labour intensive methods, which add individuality to the overall picture.

There are many fishing villages like Marsascala that are built around small bays filled with traditional fishing boats, "luzzu's" that contribute to the intimate feel of the island. At a glance, Malta is full of diverse architecture that is blended together with the colours and sights of past and present, which gives the viewer a wonderful overall picture of life in the Mediterranean.

From a different perspective, Bugibba and Paceville are the two areas that cater for nightlife. Filled with clubs and bars there are enough venues to suit everyone. It all starts around 10pm and carries on until the early hours of the morning.

GEOGRAPHY

It's such a small place. It is just an archipelago of islands about halfway between the coasts of Sicily and North Africa. Set in the clear blue Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese islands are the most southerly European country. The archipelago consists of five islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, together with two other uninhabited islands Cominetto and Filfla. The total area is approximately 316 sq kms (Malta 246 sq km, Gozo 67 sq km, Comino 2.7 sq km). The longest distance in Malta from North West to South East is about 27 km, with 14.5 kms width in an East - West direction. The Islands are only 90 km south of Sicily and 290 km from the northern coast of Africa.

MALTESE LANGUAGE

The two official languages are Maltese and English. The English language is a leftover of about 160 years of British colonisation of Malta. Maltese, whose closest languages are Lebanese, Hebrew and classic Arabic, is the only Semitic language which is written in Roman alphabet. Italian, too, is widely spoken among the younger generation, particularly due to the television programs which are transmitted from nearby Italy. It is easy to get a language guide and Maltese is interesting enough to make a little effort very worthwhile a few words taken back with you are a very beautiful 'souvenir' of your visit.

Tourism is the most lucrative industry, and the Maltese people have a friendly and welcoming way about them. At celebrations for the feast of St. Paul on the 10th of February, the locals proudly relate their immortal history to visitors as a procession with the statute of St Paul passes by.

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Article Link: http://www.property-partnership.com/overseas-property-guides/overseas-property-guide.cfm?id=118

Please contact the author at sales@paviaproperties.net for more information.