Climate

Malta’s climate is typical of the Mediterranean, with long hot summers, warm and sporadically wet autumns and cool but unpredictable winters. Malta has an annual average of eight hour of sunshine a day.

Population

With a population of around 350,000, Malta is one of the most densely populated countries of Europe. However, the vast majority live in the Valetta conurbation. Gozo has a population of 29,000.

Landscape

The island of Malta consists of a gently undulating limestone plateau. There are no mountains, rivers or lakes and the land looks rocky and barren, particularly in summer. This arid appearance is emphasized by the scores of dry stonewalls that flank fields, terraces, slopes, gardens and paths. To ease the water shortage, five reverse-osmosis plants have been set of the water consumed on the island.

The Maltese woodlands were hacked down centuries ago and today the only trees you will see are the carob, pine, citrus, ficus and tamarisk that have been planted in public parks, along avenues and around town piazzas. On both Malta and Gozo the slopes are cultivated for vegetables and vines.

For centuries Malta’s abundant limestone has been used for construction –from prehistoric megaliths to modern-day houses. Newly quarried stone soon mellows with exposure to the sun and blends with the colour of the surroundings. The most widely used limestone today is the soft globigerina.

Because of its greater quantity of water-retaining blue clay subsoil, Gozo is a greener island than Malta. The lie of the land is different, with villages built on flat-topped hills leaving the slopes for cultivation.

The Coastline

The coastline of Malta and Gozo is predominantly rocky, with only a very occasional sandy bay. Malta’s coastline is heavily indented. The eastern side of the island is broken up by large bays which make ideal natural harbours. To the south spectacular cliffs drop 250m to the sea. Gozo’s coastal scenery is at its most spectacular around the cliffs of Dwejra.

The Economy

Tourism is Malta’s prime industry, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the country’s gross national product. The number of annual visitors exceeds a million, which is over two and half times the population of the islands. Ship-repair work still plays an important role in the islands’ economy and the Malta Freeport, established in 1988, is a major distribution center, serving the demanding shipping and business markets.

Despite the thin dry soil, one of the mainstays of the economy is agriculture. The main vegetables are potatoes and onions. Grapes, the largest fruit crop, produce wine for local consumption and for export.