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KNOW MALTA

THE FORMATION OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS

It is said that the Maltese Islands were formed after a tectonic plate movements in the Mediterranean over 10,000 years ago, during the Quaternary Era. The tectonic plate movements has separated Malta from the South of Europe and North Africa and created deep valleys which were later flooded after a rise in the sea level and so the Maltese Islands were formed. Malta stands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, 90 km from Sicily, 290 km from Africa, 1830 km from Gibraltar and 1500 km from Alexandra. Discoveries of bones in Malta which belonged to animals such as Bears, Deer and Foxes native of Europe and Hippopotami and Elephants native of Africa are clear evidence that Malta was part of Europe and Africa.

The Maltese archipelago consists of the Islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino together with the uninhabited islets of Filfla, Cominotto and St. Paul.

PREHISTORIC MALTA

The primitive inhabitants on the Maltese Islands lived in natural caves like Ghar Dalam in the limits of Birzebbuga. Experts say, this cave was a shelter for animals before the Aborigines lived in it. Fossils of animals were found on the cave floor. In 1917 human teeth belonged to a Neanderthal Man who lived about 40,000 yrs. BC were also discovered in Ghar Dalam. As years went by, the inhabitants in the Maltese Islands learned how to make implements made of stone and flint and also started to dig caves out of the rocks. Later huge buildings were erected by the primitive inhabitants. These buildings known to have served as Temples, are the oldest free standing buildings in the world and they are acknowledged as Unesco World Heritage Sites. One can visit these Temples at Hagar Qim, Hal Tarxien, Mnajdra and Hal Saflieni in Malta and at Ggantija in Gozo. Artefacts such as pottery, statuettes, stone implements and other ornaments were found in these Prehistoric Temples. In Bengemma and San Gwann there are Cart Ruts tracts of the Neolithic Age. These Cart Ruts were used to transport soil from one place to another for the production of food. Both the Temples and the Cart Ruts are clear evidence of the active life of the Maltese Islands in the Stone Age. ( For more information browse through the Prehistoric Set on this same site )

THE HISTORY OF MALTA

The Maltese Islands were often ruled but never dominated. Our history is marked by the courage shown during battles fought over the centuries for the strategically situated Islands. ( For more information browse through the History Set on this same site or go to - <a href="http://www.knowmalta.webs.com/" rel="nofollow">www.knowmalta.webs.com/</a> )

HOW TO GET TO MALTA. Malta is an Island, so getting here is either by Air or Sea. Daily direct flights operate from various countries to Malta throughout the year.

CAPITAL CITY Valletta

HEAD OF STATE President Dr George Abela

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Maltese but many speak English, Italian, French and Arabic is slowly growing.

TIME GMT/UTC + 1 (summer +2h)

CURRENCY Euro, Bank service in Malta and Gozo is available in almost every Town with ATM machines that accept most international credit and debit cards. The main institutions are Bank of Valletta (BoV), APS Bank. and HSBC other Banks, Lombard Bank, FIMBank and BANIF Bank. Banks open in the morning and in some days also in the afternoon, Please check the opening hours. ATM’s ( 24 hour service ) are located in most popular areas. Credit Cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The recognized Cards symbols are on display were accepted. Foreign Currency are accepted by some outlets.

GETTING AROUND

DRIVING: Driving in Malta is on the Left. A valid driving licence and insurance coverage are required. Safe Policy seat belts for cars and crash helmets for bike riders are a Must. In case of an accident, call the Traffic Wardens on 2132 0202 and Never Remove your vehicle before you are told to do so by the Traffic Wardens or by the Police. In case of Injuries or Death the Police Must be called on 112 and use this same number 112 to call for an Ambulance and/or Fire.

Buses are the main Public Transport on the Maltese Islands. Working on scheduled route, the buses offer frequent service, throughout the island according to their duty roster.

Renting a car, motorbikes, scooters or mountain bikes is an other option to go around.

The road signs are in English and efficient to direct you from one place to another. But I do notice luck of road signs in the country side.

Taxi service and the service of chauffeur-driven cars are available on 24 hour basis.

The CT Cab is chauffeur-driven, an eco-friendly way of getting about in Valletta. These battery-powered vehicles run 7 days a week, from 7am till 11pm.

Tours around the Three Cities on a Vintage Bus Sightseeing. The tour departs from Sliema to the narrow streets and squares of the Three Cities, with a commentary about the two Great Sieges of 1565 and 1942.

Train Tours, departs from the Domus Romana (Roman Villa), outside Mdina. This sightseeing train tour includes a commentary about the history, cultural and architectural of the areas of Rabat, Mtarfa and the outskirts of Mdina. The approximately 30 minutes tour passes adjacent to Mdina Main Gate, Casino Notabile, Rabat, St. Paul's Cathedral, the catacombs of St. Agatha and St. Paul's, Ghar Barka and the heart of Mtarfa viewing the Clock Tower and the Royal Navy Hospital.

From Valletta, the traditional Maltese 'dghajsa' boat is always available for tours in the Grand Harbour.

Horse-drawn Cabs, a leisurely way of touring around Mdina, Sliema and Valletta.

Crossing over to the Island of Gozo is either by ferry from Cirkewwa or fly over by the seaplane from Valletta waterfront.

To Comino, the only way is by sea. Boat service from Marfa, St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Qawra or from Sliema were cruise companies operate daily cruises to Comino.

RELIGION:

Church services are in Maltese. For non-Maltese Roman Catholics, St. Barbara Church in Republic Street, Valetta, celebrate mass in German, French and English. Mass is celebrated in Italian at St. Catherine's Church, in Victory Square, Valletta. Mass in English is also said at St. Patrick's church, St. John Bosco Street, Sliema.

Churches and services of other Denominations: Greek Orthodox Church, 83, Merchants Street, Valletta. Holy Trinity Anglican's Church, Rodolphe Street, Sliema. Mosque, at Corradino Hill, Paola. St. Andrew's Church of Scotland, South Street, Valletta. St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, Independence Square, Valletta.

Christians Church services held in various languages:

In Italian - Valletta Santa Caterina d’Italia 11.00 hrs

In German - Valletta Santa Barbara 11.00 hrs

 (temporarily at Our Lady of Victories Church)

In French - Valletta Santa Barbara 10.00 hrs

 (temporarily at Our Lady of Victories Church)

In Greek - Valletta Our Lady of Damascus, 10.00 hrs (Archbishop Street)

ACCOMMODATION : Malta and Gozo offers 5,4,3 and 2 Star Hotels, Guesthouses, Self Catering Apartments, Villas and Farmhouses which are so popular in Gozo.

THE POSTAL SERVICE is efficient in Malta. There is a post office in almost every Town.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Calling to Malta from other countries: Malta's International calling Code is 00356 and dial the local number.

Calling from Malta to other countries: Dial 00 followed by the International code of the country and the number you need to call.

For Local calls simply dial the local number.

Public telephone booths accepting cards and coins can be found in many streets and squares.

Mobile Phones in Malta .The Cellphone network is operated by Melita, GoMobile, Vodafone, Red Touch and Ping. You can obtain a Telecard from Post offices, Souvenier shops, Malta International Airport.

INTERNET SERVICE in both Malta and Gozo is available from many hotels and Internet Cafe services.

VIP NOTES TO ANIMAL LOVERS REPORT ANY WITNESSED CRUELTY ON ANIMALS TO THE DISTRICT POLICE ON 2122 4001. EMERGENCY VETERINARY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK / 24 HOURS DAILY CALL ON 5004 3888 ONLY FROM FIXED LINE, THE CALL COST AROUND €4.65. FOR THE ANIMAL AMBULANCE SERVICE WHICH RUNS 7 DAYS A WEEK ON 24 HOURS DAILY, ONE MUST FIRST CALL THE POLICE ON 2I22 4001, THE POLICE WILL THEN CALL THE AMBULANCE THEMSELVES.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Emergence, For Ambulance, Police and Fire ..... 112 AFM Air and Sea Rescue .................................. 2180 9279 AFM After 16.00 hrs. and weekends ............... 2182 4220 Flight Enquiries ................................................... 50 043 333 Government Information Service...................... 153 Gozo Channel Co Ltd ........................................ 2156 1622 Harbour Air Seaplanes ...................................... 2122 8302 Lost Property ........................................................ 2122 4781 Traffic Accidents .................................................. 2132 0202 Time Check .......................................................... 195 Passport Office - Malta ....................................... 2220 9100 Passport Office - Gozo ........................................ 2215 6247 Mater Dei Hospital - Malta .................................. 2545 0000 Hospital - Gozo ..................................................... 2156 1600 Child Support Line ............................................... 179 Overseas Operator ............................................... 1152

DINING OUT

I do dine out regularly and did visit a few restaurants but not all meet my satisfaction. Here are some of the restaurants which I like to recommend.

THE ARCHES - IN MELLIEHA - MALTA

MEDINA - IN MDINA - MALTA

PORTO VECCHIO - IN MGARR - GOZO

L'ORDINE - IN ST. JULIAN'S - MALTA

L-ANKRA - IN MGARR - GOZO

MADLIENA COTTAGE - AT MEDLIENA - MALTA

LA CAVE - IN VALLETTA - MALTA

THE OVERFLOW - IN QAWRA - MALTA

TA' KOLINA - IN SLIEMA - MALTA

THE SPOONS Chinese Rest - at PORTOMASO IN ST. JULIAN'S, MALTA

LA VECCHIA DEGANA - IN PIETA - MALTA

L' ARAGOSTA - IN MARSALFORN - GOZO

ERIZOS DE MAR - IN MARSALFORN - GOZO

TA' SOLDI - IN MGARR - MALTA

THE BLACK PEARL - TA' XBIEX - MALTA.

THE AVENUE - IN PACEVILLE - MALTA

LA DOLCE VITA - IN ST. JULIAN'S - MALTA

NINA'S - IN SLIEMA - MALTA

IL- VEDUTA - IN RABAT - MALTA

FISHERMAN'S REST - IN MARSASCALA - MALTA

LA PERLA - AT HOTEL CALYPSO - GOZO

TA' FRENC - IN MARSALFORN - GOZO

QBAJJAR - IN MARSALFORN - GOZO

516 BRISTO - WATERFRONT IN VALLETTA - MALTA

SURFSIDE - IN SLIEMA - MALTA

PEPPINO'S - IN ST. JULIANS - MALTA

ZERI'S - AT PORTAMASO IN ST.JULIANS - MALTA

LA PAPPA - AT QUI SI SANA - SLIEMA - MALTA

LA RIVE - AT TIGNE SEAFRONT - SLIEMA - MALTA

RIVIERA DELLA MARINA - BIRGU WATERFRONT - MALTA

GUZE - TA' XBIEX MARINA - MALTA

PALAZZO PRECA - STRAIT STREET - VALLETTA - MALTA

TA' MARIJIA - MOSTA - MALTA

THE CHOPHOUSE - TIGNE POINT - SLIEMA - MALTA

PORTOPALO - TIGNE SEAFRONT - SLIEMA - MALTA

LA VELA - MARINA ROAD - PIETA - MALTA

MY AIM TO CREATING THIS SITE, IS THAT MY PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION HELPS STUDENTS TO LOOK UP PICTURES FOR THEIR SCHOOL PROJECTS AND THEIR GENERAL INTEREST. STUDENTS MAY DOWNLOAD FREE OF CHARGE AS MANY PICTURES AS THEY NEED FOR THEIR SCHOOL PROJECTS AND ALSO TO HELP THOSE WHO BROWSE THROUGH MY PHOTOS TO LEARN ABOUT MALTA, IT'S HISTORY, CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND MORE.

I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO BROWSE THROUGH MY WORK.

Best Regards