DOCSLIB.ORG

Adi Report Template

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Adi Report Template RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014-2020 (LEADER) LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR GOZO AND COMINO(as updated on the 30th April 2020) THIS IS A DIGITAL COPY OF THE REPORT. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT – KEEP IT DIGITAL i CONTENTS Contents LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR GOZO AND COMINO ......................... 1 1. DEFINITION OF THE TERRITORY AND OF THE POPULATION .. 1 1.1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 1 1.2. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AREA ............................................... 1 1.3. LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS ......................................................... 4 2. ANALYSIS OF THE TERRITORY .......................................... 10 2.1. THE ECONOMY .............................................................................. 10 2.2. DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS ....................................... 22 2.3. LAND COVER ................................................................................. 25 2.4. TENURE ........................................................................................ 26 2.5. SIZE AND STANDARD OUTPUT OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS................ 29 2.6. LIVESTOCK .................................................................................... 31 2.7. FISHERIES ..................................................................................... 34 2.8. FRESHWATER................................................................................. 34 2.9. BIODIVERSITY ................................................................................ 39 2.10. PROTECTED AREAS ......................................................................... 39 2.11. LANDSCAPE .................................................................................. 40 2.12. CULTURAL HERITAGE ..................................................................... 40 2.13. WIDER RELEVANT RESEARCH AND EVALUATION ................................. 45 2.14. REPORT OF THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .................................. 55 2.15. SWOT ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 65 2.16. REGIONAL NEEDS ............................................................................ 71 3. DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STRATEGY .......... 73 3.1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 73 3.2. GENERAL NOTES ON ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS AND APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA .............................................................................. 99 3.3. TRANSNATIONAL/ INTER-TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROJECTS ............ 100 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS FOR ENGAGEMENT IN LDS PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION .......................... 102 4.1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 102 4.2. STAKEHOLDERS ............................................................................. 102 4.3. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROGRAMME....................................... 105 5. TRANSPOSING NEEDS AND OBJECTIVES INTO PROJECTS . 109 5.1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 109 5.2. PRINCIPAL CRITERIA USED IN ACTION IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION 110 iii 5.3. THE RATIONALE FOR THE ACTIONS SELECTED IN THE STRATEGY ......... 111 5.4. RATIONALE BEHIND BUDGETARY ALLOCATION ACROSS ACTIONS .......... 120 5.5. THE ELEMENT OF RISK .................................................................... 120 5.6. CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 121 6. IMMPLEMENTATION PLAN ....................................................... 122 6.1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 122 6.2. MANAGEMENT ............................................................................... 124 6.3. MONITORING & EVALUATION ........................................................... 126 6.4. COMMUNICATION PLAN .................................................................. 128 6.5. FINANCIAL ALLOCATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ....................... 131 7. FINANCIAL PLAN .................................................................. 133 8. SET OF THE LOCAL ACTION GROUP .......................................... 135 8.1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................. 135 8.2. ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS ........................................................... 135 8.3. PRIMARY CONTACT ...................................................................... 135 8.4. LEGAL DESCRIPTION ..................................................................... 135 8.5. LAG COMPOSITION AND DECISION MAKING ...................................... 136 8.6. STAFFING .................................................................................... 137 8.7. LAG EXPERIENCE ......................................................................... 138 9. IMPLEMENTATION CAPACITY ................................................... 139 FIGURES Figure 1.1: Gozo settlements and local councils .................................................. 3 Figure 1.2: Natura 2000 Sites in Gozo ......................................................... 9 Figure 2.1: Share of Gozo GDP within national total ..................................... 10 Figure 2.2: Growth rate in GDP ............................................................. 11 Figure 2.3: Gross Value Added composition: Gozo (2014) ............................... 12 iv Figure 2.4: Gross Value Added composition: Malta (2014) ..................................... 13 Figure 2.5: Unemployment Rate .................................................................. 14 Figure 2.6: Employment in Agriculture and Fisheries by type of employment ................ 16 Figure 2.7: Productivity levels in Gozo in relation to Malta (2014) ............................ 17 Figure 2.8: Access and peripherality of the Gozitan economy ................................. 19 Figure 2.9: Dependency ratio and old-age dependency ratio .................................. 21 Figure 2.10: Land cover of Gozo & Comino .................................................. 27 Figure 2.11: Land of Agricultural Value on Gozo & Comino ................................. 28 Figure 2.12: Agricultural land by holdings’ size in Gozo and Comino 2013 ................... 29 Figure 2.13: Gozo and Comino’s agricultural holdings by size class of standard output (€) .. 30 Figure 2.14: Volume of vegetables and fruits sold through official markets in tonnes ....... 30 Figure 2.15: Wholesale value of vegetables and fruits sold through official markets in euros 31 Figure 2.16: Area under forage (ha) by size class ................................................ 31 Figure 2.17: Distribution of forage (ha) by size class ............................................ 32 Figure 2.18: Area under citrus plantations (ha) by size class ................................... 32 Figure 2.19: Distribution of citrus plantations (ha) by size class ............................... 33 Figure 2.20: Geographical location of farms in Gozo ........................................... 34 Figure 2.21: Groundwater bodies ................................................................. 38 Figure 2.22: Environmental designations .............................................................. 42 Figure 2.23: Areas of High Landscape Sensitivity ................................................ 43 Figure 2.24: Cultural heritage designations ........................................................... 44 Figure 6.1: Application Process ...................................................................................123 Figure 6.2: Timeline of Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................. 127 TABLES Table 1.1: Criteria showing rural character of Gozo’s localities ................................. 4 Table 2.1: Sectoral distribution of Full-Time Equivalent jobs within regions in 2015 ........ 15 Table 2.2: Growth rate in sector productivity per worker in 2014 ...................... 18 Table 2.3: Population age structure in Gozo .............................................. 22 Table 2.4: Population age structure in Malta .............................................. 22 Table 2.5: University graduates ............................................................. 23 Table 2.5: SWOT analysis .................................................................... 66 Table 2.6: Gozo needs ........................................................................ 72 Table 3.1: The contribution of the strategy's objectives towards Gozo needs .......... 75 Table 3.2: Transnational Cooperation .................................................... 100 Table 4.1: Key Stakeholders ............................................................... 103 Table 4.2: Interviews / Meetings with Key Stakeholders .................................... 107 Table 6.1: Running and animation costs ................................................. 131 Table 7.1: Financial Allocation ............................................................ 134 Table 7.2: The percentage budget allocated ............................................ 134 v APPENDICES Appendix 1: Minutes of public consultation meetings Appendix 2: SWOT, Regional Needs, Malta Needs and the respective measures Appendix 3: Project selection criteria and sample application form Appendix 4: GAGF statute Appendix 5: GAGF Manager Job Description vi 1. DEFINITION
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Viaggiatori Della Vita JOURNEY to MALTA: a Mediterranean Well
    Viaggiatori della vita organises a JOURNEY TO MALTA: A Mediterranean well concerted lifestyle View of Valletta from Marsamxett Harbour. 1st Travel Day The tour guide (if necessary, together with the interpreter) receives the group at Malta International Airport (Luqa Airport) and accompanies it to the Hotel [first overnight stay in Malta] 2nd Travel Day The tour guide and the interpreter accompany the group to visit the main historical places of Valletta, the capital of Malta; a city guide provides background knowledge during a walk of about 1 ½ to 2 hours to the most interesting places. Leisure time and shopping tour in Valletta. [second overnight stay in Malta] Valletta Historical centre of Valletta View from the Upper Barracca Gardens to the Grand Harbour; the biggest natural harbour of Europe. View of Lower Barracca Gardens 3rd Travel Day The tour guide and the interpreter accompany the group to visit the main places worth visiting in Sliema and St. Julian's. Leisure time. [third overnight stay in Malta] Sliema, Malta. Sliema waterfront twilight St. Julian's Bay, Malta. Portomaso Tower, St. Julian's, Malta. 4th Travel Day The tour guide and the interpreter accompany the group to visit the most famous places of interest in Gozo (Victoria / Rabat, Azure Window, Fungus Rock, Blue Grotto and so forth) [fourth overnight stay in Malta] Azure Window, Gozo. Fungus Rock (the General's Rock), at Dwejra, Gozo. View from the Citadel, Victoria, capital city of Gozo. Saint Paul's Bay, Malta. 5th Travel Day Journey by coach to different localities of Malta; the tour guide and the interpreter accompany the group.
    [Show full text]
  • Module 1 Gozo Today
    Unit 1 - Gozo Today Josianne Vella Preamble: This first unit brings a brief overview of the Island’s physical and human geography, including a brief historic overview of the economic activities in Gozo. Various means of access to, and across the island as well as some of the major places of interest have been interspersed with information on the Island’s customs and unique language. ‘For over 5,000 years people have lived here, and have changed and shaped the land, the wild plants and animals, the crops and the constructions and buildings on it. All that speaks of the past and the traditions of the Islands, of the natural world too, is heritage.’ Haslam, S. M. & Borg, J., 2002. ‘Let’s Go and Look After our Nature, our Heritage!’. Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries - Socjeta Agraria, Malta. The Island of Gozo Location: Gozo (Għawdex) is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago. The archipelago consists of the Islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino as well as a few other uninhabited islets. It is roughly situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 93km south of Sicily, 350 kilometres due north of Tripoli and about 290 km from the nearest point on the North African mainland. Size: The total surface area of the Islands amounts to 315.6 square kilometres and are among the smallest inhabited islands in the Mediterranean. With a coastline of 47 km, Gozo occupies an area of 66 square kilometres and is 14 km at its longest and 7 km at its widest. IRMCo, Malta e-Module Gozo Unit 1 Page 1/8 Climate: The prevailing climate in the Maltese Islands is typically Mediterranean, with a mild, wet winter and a long, dry summer.
    [Show full text]
  • Malta & Gozo Directions
    DIRECTIONS Malta & Gozo Up-to-date DIRECTIONS Inspired IDEAS User-friendly MAPS A ROUGH GUIDES SERIES Malta & Gozo DIRECTIONS WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY Victor Paul Borg NEW YORK • LONDON • DELHI www.roughguides.com 2 Tips for reading this e-book Your e-book Reader has many options for viewing and navigating through an e-book. Explore the dropdown menus and toolbar at the top and the status bar at the bottom of the display window to familiarize yourself with these. The following guidelines are provided to assist users who are not familiar with PDF files. For a complete user guide, see the Help menu of your Reader. • You can read the pages in this e-book one at a time, or as two pages facing each other, as in a regular book. To select how you’d like to view the pages, click on the View menu on the top panel and choose the Single Page, Continuous, Facing or Continuous – Facing option. • You can scroll through the pages or use the arrows at the top or bottom of the display window to turn pages. You can also type a page number into the status bar at the bottom and be taken directly there. Or else use the arrows or the PageUp and PageDown keys on your keyboard. • You can view thumbnail images of all the pages by clicking on the Thumbnail tab on the left. Clicking on the thumbnail of a particular page will take you there. • You can use the Zoom In and Zoom Out tools (magnifying glass) to magnify or reduce the print size: click on the tool, then enclose what you want to magnify or reduce in a rectangle.
    [Show full text]
  • COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT in MALTA Note
    COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT IN MALTA Note This document was prepared by the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP-UNEP). The authors of the document are Louis Vella, Christine M. Tanti and Avertano Rolé. Zeljka Skaricic contributed to its general revision and finalisation, and Viktor Popovic designed and prepared the document for printing. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Environment Programme or the Mediterranean Action Plan concerning the legal status of any state, territory, city or area, or their authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this document do not necessarily represent the views of the United Nations Environment Programme. © 2005 Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre, Split ISBN 953-6429-56-X This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form of educational and non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. PAP would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this material as source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purposes whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. For bibliographic purposes this document may be cited as: PAP/RAC: Coastal Area Management in the Maltese Islands, Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre, Split, 2005. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Plates iv List of Figures iv List of Tables v List of Boxes v List of Acronyms vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii PREFACE ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xi CHAPTER I / Introduction 1 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Following Paul from Shipwreck on Malta to Martyrdom in Rome MALTA • SICILY • ITALY Led by Dr
    Following Paul from Shipwreck on Malta to Martyrdom in Rome MALTA • SICILY • ITALY Led by Dr. Carl Rasmussen MAY 11-22, 2021 organized by Following Paul from Shipwreck on Malta to Martyrdom in Rome / May 11-22, 2021 Malta Following Paul from Shipwreck on Malta to Martyrdom in Rome MAY 11-22, 2021 Fri 14 May Ferry to POZZALLO (SICILY) - SYRACUSE – Ferry to REGGIO CALABRIA Early check out, pick up our box breakfasts, meet the English-speaking assistant at our hotel and transfer to the port of Malta. 06:30am Take a ferry VR-100 from Malta to Pozzallo (Sicily) 08:15am Drive to Syracuse (where Paul stayed for three days, Acts 28.12). Meet our guide and visit the archeological park of Syracuse. Drive to Messina (approx. 165km) and take the ferry to Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland (= Rhegium; Acts 28:13, where Paul stopped). Meet our guide and visit the Museum of Magna Grecia. Check-in to our hotel in Reggio Calabria. Dr. Carl and Mary Rasmussen Dinner at our hotel and overnight. Greetings! Mary and I are excited to invite you to join our handcrafted adult “study” trip entitled Following Paul from Shipwreck on Malta to Sat 15 May PAESTUM - to POMPEII Martyrdom in Rome. We begin our tour on Malta where we will explore the Breakfast and checkout. Drive to Paestum (435km). Visit the archeological bays where the shipwreck of Paul may have occurred as well as the Island of area and the museum of Paestum. Paestum was a major ancient Greek city Malta. Mark Gatt, who discovered an anchor that may have been jettisoned on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Magna Graecia (southern Italy).
    [Show full text]
  • Karst Heritage
    Unit 4 – Karst Heritage Dirk De Ketelaere, Josianne Vella and Anna Spiteri Preamble In this unit, we examine the relation between hydrological processes, the geology of karst rock and the resultant landforms. While being described as ‘unusual’, the landforms may take such dramatic proportions that they merit the designation of a World Heritage Conservations Site. The Qawra/Dwejra area in Gozo is presented as a case study. “The importance of conserving representative karst areas for science and recreation has been recognized in many countries by the designation of national parks and reserves” (Ford et al., 1989) “Some of the best examples of normal faulting, karstification and solution subsidence, cliff recession, cave formation as a result of marine erosion, and incision of steep-sided valleys to be found in the Maltese Islands occur here” (Cassar et al, 2004) on the Qawra/Dwejra area in Gozo Karst Landscapes Karst landscapes or terrains represent a distinctive topography in which the landscape is largely shaped by the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock. This geological process, occurring over many thousands of years, results in unusual surface and subsurface features ranging from sinkholes, dolines, vertical shafts, disappearing streams and springs, to complex underground drainage systems and caves. The ‘engine’ that powers this natural process is the hydrological cycle, starting with the constant flow of rainfall over the rock surface which causes the chemical dissolution of the rock along fissures. Over time, these fissures gradually enlarge into veritable shafts and conduits, which allow a larger part of the rainwater to feed into the aquifers within a shorter period of time.
    [Show full text]
  • A Landscape Assessment Study of the South Gozo Fault Area Mariella Xuereb James Madison University
    James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Masters Theses The Graduate School Fall 12-18-2010 A landscape assessment study of the South Gozo Fault area Mariella Xuereb James Madison University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019 Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Xuereb, Mariella, "A landscape assessment study of the South Gozo Fault area" (2010). Masters Theses. 434. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/434 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Landscape Assessment Study of the South Gozo Fault Area Mariella Xuereb Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resource Management University of Malta 2010 A Landscape Assessment Study of the South Gozo Fault Area A dissertation presented in part fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resource Management Mariella Xuereb November 2010 Supervisor: Dr. Louis. F. Cassar Co-Supervisors: Ms. Elisabeth Conrad; Dr. Maria Papadakis University of Malta – James Madison University ii. This research work disclosed in this publication is partly funded by the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship (Malta). Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Training part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future iii. ABSTRACT Mariella Xuereb A Landscape Assessment Study of the South Gozo Fault Area The South Gozo Fault region features a heterogeneous landscape which extends from Ras il-Qala on the east, to „Mgarr ix-Xini‟ on the south-eastern littoral.
    [Show full text]
  • ACTIVITY GUIDE GOZO - MALTA Königssee 2 3 the History of the Archipelago 8 Places to Visit & Discover
    ACTIVITY GUIDE GOZO - MALTA Königssee 2 3 The History of the Archipelago 8 Places to Visit & Discover Discover Gozo at Sea 28 Experiences & Activities Discover Gozo on Land 42 Experiences & Activities Keep Fit in Gozo 50 Relaxation & Fitness Spa & Wellness 60 An Oasis of Rejuvenation Gozitan Heritage 66 Around the Corner Taste of Gozo Fun for the Little Ones 72 Out & About just for them 4 5 The Hidden Gem of the Mediterranean Gozo famously provides an oasis of tranquillity, nature and history. Malta’s little sister island is greener, smaller and more rural with life’s rhythms dictated by nature. Steeped in myth and home to the oldest free-standing human structures on Earth, Gozo is also believed by many to be the island of Calypso mentioned in Homer’s “Odyssey”. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside and rugged landscape. With some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean, Gozo’s spectacular coastlines await exploration. Considered to have one of the most pleasant climates in the world and amongst the top places to retire, Gozo is truly a unique hideaway. The charming village of San Lawrenz is situated on the western side of Gozo close to the splendid Dwejra Bay. 6 7 THE HISTORY Of thE ARCHIPELAGO 8 9 The History of the Archipelago Citadel Located in the heart of Gozo, the Old Citadel, which has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, is proof of the rich history present on the island. Most of what is seen today of the Citadel originates from Medieval times, and its fortress was used as a defence mechanism against Ottoman attacks on Gozo.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 the Geology, Soils and Present-Day Environment of Gozo
    Chapter 1 The geology, soils and present-day environment of Gozo and Malta Petros Chatzimpaloglou, Patrick J. Schembri, Charles French, Alastair Ruffell & Simon Stoddart This chapter sets the scene in terms of the geology and which was considered very high-quality research at the present-day climate, vegetation and soils of the Maltese time. They presented a high level of detail and largely Islands. Geology and faulting has had a huge influence accurate interpretation in contrast to more generic on topography, soils and vegetation, and in turn on the geological work of the time (Zammit Maempel 1977; nature of human use and exploitation of the islands. Gatt 2006a & b, and references therein). All of these themes are further developed below (and Research on the geology of the Maltese Islands con- in FRAGSUS Volumes 2 and 3), giving time-depth to tinued during the twentieth century, when researchers the sequences of climatic, environmental and landscape focused on a range of features. A typical example was changes throughout the Holocene. Hobbs (1914), who interpreted and described many of the faults and structures of the islands. In addition, 1.1. Previous work substantial detailed information on the structure of the islands is contained in the study of water resources The geological formations of Maltese Islands received by Morris (1952) and Newbery (1968). The recent little attention from scholars before the nineteenth long-term research of Martyn Pedley is of particular century ad, in common with other parts of Europe. significance as he has observed and published on the Nonetheless, ancient Greek authors made the first full spectrum of Maltese geology (Pedley 1974, 1975, surviving references to fossils found elsewhere in the 1978, 1993, 2011; Pedley et al.
    [Show full text]
  • And Harvestmen (Opiliones) from Malta with a Preliminary Checklist of Maltese Arachnida
    89 (2) · August 2017 pp. 85–110 New records of mites (Acari) and harvestmen (Opiliones) from Malta with a preliminary checklist of Maltese Arachnida Walter P. Pfliegler1,*, Axel Schönhofer2, Wojciech Niedbała3, Patrick Vella†, Arnold Sciberras4 and Antoine Vella5 1 Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Debrecen, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary 2 Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Institut für Zoologie, Abteilung Evolutionsbiologie, Johannes-von-Müller-Weg 6, 55128 Mainz, Germany 3 Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland 4 Nature Trust Malta, PO Box9, VLT 1000, Valetta Malta 5 74, Buontempo Estate, BZN1135 Balzan, Malta * Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Received 16 March 2017 | Accepted 17 May 2017 Published online at www.soil-organisms.de 1 August 2017 | Printed version 15 August 2017 Abstract We present new faunistic records of mites and harvestmen from the Maltese Archipelago and reviewed available data on the faunistics of the class Arachnida of the Archipelago. Literature records of Arachnids are rather scarce and uncomprehensive and up to date, checklists dealing with them have not been published except for spiders and gall mites. Along with newly recorded families, genera and species, we compiled a preliminary checklist and review of Maltese Arachnida to facilitate faunistic research on these groups. In regard to mites, Geckobia sarahae Bertrand, Pfliegler & Sciberras, 2012 is established as a lapsus calami that refers to G. estherae Bertrand, Pfliegler & Sciberras, 2012. Keywords Mediterranean | endemic | soil fauna | faunistics | distribution | anthropogenic habitat 1. Introduction Selmunett Island, Manoel Island, Ta’ Fra Ben Islet and Cominotto.
    [Show full text]
  • The Maltese Islands
    THE MALTESE ISLANDS MALTA, GOZO, COMINO COMINOTTO, FILFLA AND ST PAUL'S ISLET The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the center of the Mediterranean 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The Maltese archipelago, consists of mainly three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The archipelago is named after Malta which is the largest island of the group. MALTA Malta is an advanced economy. The country is a member of the European Union and enjoys sunny weather nearly all the year. San Ġiljan is a town in the Central Region of Malta. It is known for tourism- oriented businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and nightclubs which are centred mainly in an area known as Paceville. Spinola bay Malta is about 316 km2 with population of over 400,000 inhabitants. Valletta, is the capital city of Malta. Valletta Kalkara Marina is situated in picturesque Kalkara Creek in the heart of Malta’s Grand Harbour. Kalkara Marina Marsascala is an ancient fishing village, with a picturesque bay and a good restaurants, located in the southeast corner of the island. Marsascala Facing Northeast this is a little known unspoiled anchorage with clean clear waters for bathing. Ideal for leisurely days at anchor or overnight stays. Good holding ground. Il Hofra l-Kbira Marsaxlokk is a fishing village in the South part of Malta famous for its fish market, colorful boats and fish restaurants. Marsaxlokk The Blue Grotto is a fantastic cave system with fantastic light reflections inside and a beautiful large arch opposite the island of Filfla. Blue Grotto Filfla is a small, mostly barren, uninhabited islet 5 km (3.1 miles) south of Malta, and is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago.
    [Show full text]
  • The Natural Heritage of the Island of Gozo, Malta
    The natural heritage of the Island of Gozo, Malta Dirk De Ketelaere, Anna Spiteri and Josianne Vella Integrated Resources Management (IRM) Co. Ltd. Malta e-mail: [email protected] website: www.environmentalmalta.com The name ‘Gozo’, meaning ‘joy’ in Castilian, was given to this small island by the Aragonese who took over the Maltese Islands in 1282. Over the years the island has inspired many names. In 700 BC the Phoenicians called it “Gwl” or ‘Gaulos’, meaning round ship, a name that was retained by the Greeks and translated by the Romans as ‘Gaudos’ or ‘Gaulum’. The Moors, who ruled the Maltese islands around a thousand years ago, and who strongly influenced its Semitic language, referred to it as ‘Gaudoich’ preceding the current name ‘Għawdex’ (pronounced Aw-desh), which is used today by the local inhabitants. In a legendary context it is often called the ‘Island of Calypso’ referring to the Greek mythological location of Ogygia, home of the beautiful nymph Calypso. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Calypso keeps the Greek hero Odysseus as a prisoner of love for 7 long years. Introduction The Maltese Archipelago, located at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, consists of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino as well as a few other uninhabited islets. Gozo is the second largest island with a coastline of 47 km, and a surface area of 66 square kilometres. The Islands have a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and long, dry summers. The average annual rainfall amounts to around 530 millimetres and follows a clearly marked seasonal rhythm.
    [Show full text]