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Malta is an archipelago in the central
Mediterranean Sea, some 93 km (58 miles) south of Sicily. Only the three largest islands Malta Island, Gozo, and
Comino are inhabited. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape
is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is the Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253
m (830 ft) near Dingli.
The local climate is Mediterranean temperate climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Effectively
there are only two seasons, which makes the islands attractive for tourists especially during the drier months.
Diving
The islands of the Maltese Archipelago form a very special diving area in the heart of the Mediterranean.
The Islands are excellent for both beginners and experienced open water and cave divers. With their natural harbours,
bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs, reefs and wrecks, the Islands invite you to explore. The possibilities are endless.
With dive sites very close together, you will be able to explore a variety of underwater worlds. They range from
caves to reefs and wartime wrecks.
Sea temperatures average around 23 C (74 F) in summer and drop down to around 13 C to 15 C (55 F to 59 F) in December
to March. Visibility can be in excess of 40 metres (130 ft).
There is a decompression chamber within St Luke’s Hospital, Guardamangia, Malta.
Marine Life
The combination of sheer cliffs, caves, wrecks, shelves and sandy and rocky sea beds, means there is a large variety
of fauna and flora to see in the Maltese waters. It would be hard to list them all. Wrecks, as artificial reef
habitats, have provided a home for a greater number of species in recent years and make excellent dive sites.
Species you are likely to see include groupers, amberjack, various bream, octopi, squid, flying fish, gurnard,
stingrays, meagre, bogue, red mullet, parrot fish and the occasional moral eel. Although the rocky structures and
underwater coast seem ideal living conditions for eel, you tend to see them mostly during night dives. |
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Dive Services
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St. Andrew's Divers Cove
St. Andrew's Divers Cove,
St. Simon Street,
Xlendi Bay,
Isle of Gozo, GO6, MALTA
Tel: Ph. +356 21 55 1301
Fax: Fax. +356 21 56 1548
standrew@gozodive.com
http://www.gozodive.com
A friendly, professional dive centre offering full tourist services, diving and courses for all levels and a well
stocked dive shop with excellent prices. |
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Quick Facts
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About Malta
National name: Repubblika ta' Malta
President: Eddie Fenech Adami (2004)
Prime Minister: Lawrence Gonzi (2004)
Area: 122 sq mi (316 sq km)
Population (2005 est.): 398,534 (growth rate: 0.4%); birth rate: 10.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 3.9/1000; life
expectancy: 78.9; density per sq mi: 3,266
Capital (2003 est.): Valletta, 194,200 (metro. area) 6,900 (city proper)
Largest city: Birkirkara, 21,600
Monetary unit: Maltese lira
Languages: Maltese and English (both official)
Ethnicity/race: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian
and other Mediterranean stock)
Religion: Roman Catholic 98%
Literacy rate: 93% (2003 census)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2004 est.): $7.223 billion; per capita $18,200. Real growth rate: 1%. Inflation: 2.9%.
Unemployment: 7% (2003 est.). Arable land: 28%. Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes,
citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs. Labor force: 160,000 (2002 est); industry 24%, services
71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.). Industries: tourism; electronics, shipbuilding and repair, construction; food
and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco. Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land. Exports:
$2.625 billion (f.o.b., 2004 est.): machinery and transport equipment, manufactures. Imports: $3.407 billion (f.o.b.,
2004 est.): machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semimanufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco.
Major trading partners: Singapore, U.S., UK, Germany, France, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea (2003).
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 187,000 (1997); mobile cellular: 17,691 (1997). Radio broadcast
stations: AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999). Radios: 255,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000). Televisions:
280,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2002). Internet users: 59,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 2,254 km; paved: 1,972 km; unpaved: 282 km (2000). Ports and harbors:
Marsaxlokk, Valletta. Airports: 1 (2002).
International disputes: none. |
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Getting There
By Air
The Maltese Archipelago lies virtually in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, some 93kms (58 miles) south of the
Italian island of Sicily. Yet Malta is just a few hours’ flying time from most mainland European cities and has
excellent intercontinental connections. Choose from scheduled services or charter flights, many of which offer
a convenient departure point from European regional cities.
The national airline, Air Malta, operates flights to and from all the major airports in Europe, North Africa and
the Middle East.
Air Malta p.l.c.,
Head Office, Luqa
LQA 01, MALTA
Tel: (356) 21690890, 21229990
Fax: (356) 21673241
E-mail: info@airmalta.com.mt
Web: www.airmalta.com
Other international carriers operate regular scheduled flights to and from Malta. Charter flights from various
cities in Europe are also available.
By Sea
A regular ferry and catamaran service links several Italian and Sicilian ports to Valletta, Malta's capital city.
Several shipping lines serve some Mediterranean ports as well. For information, contact:
Grimaldi Group
O.F. Gollcher & Sons Ltd
19 Zachary Street
Valletta
Tel: (356) 21220940/21231689
Fax: (356) 21226876
MaReSi Shipping Ltd
c/o SMS Travel & Tourism
27 Birkirkara Hill
St. Julian's
Tel: (356) 21320620/21232211
Fax: (356) 21320658/21240097
Sea Malta
Sea Malta Building
Flagstone Wharf
Marsa HMR 12
Tel: (356) 21232230/9, 2125994269
Fax: (356) 21225776
E-mail:info@seamalta.com
Virtu Ferries
Virtu Ferries Ltd.
"Virtu"
Ta' Xbiex Terrace
Ta' Xbiex
MSD 11
Tel: (356) 21318854
Fax: (356) 21345221
Email: info@virtuferries.com
Grimaldi Ferries
Sullivan Maritime Ltd
21/22 St Barbara Bastion
Valletta VLT06
Tel : (356) 21251564/ 21226873
Fax : (356) 21226876
E-mail: info@sullivanmaritime.com.mt |
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