| The
Maltese archipelago consists of three inhabited islands:
Malta, Gozo, and Comino and two other uninhabited islands.
They lie in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, 95 kilometers
south of Sicily and 288 kilometres north of North Africa.
The total area is 316 square kilometers (Malta - 247;
Gozo - 67; and Comino - 2).
Malta has neither mountains nor rivers. Characterised
by a series of low hills with terraced fields on its
slopes, Malta's coastline has harbours, bays, creeks,
sandy and rocky beaches and coves. There are 90 kilometres
of shoreline. The longest distance in Malta, from the
south-east to the north-west, is about 27 kilometers,
and the widest distance is 14 kilometers in an east-westerly
direction.
Gozo,
the island of the nymph Calypso, is greener, more spectacular,
and has a distinct character. Flat-topped hills dot
the landscape, while the coast has rugged cliffs penetrated
by steep valleys and beautiful bays. More rustic and
quieter than Malta, it is 14 kilometers long and 7 kilometres
at its widest point.
The
smallest island, Comino, is home to a handful of farmers.
No noisy activities disturb the peace. The many bays
and rocky coves in Comino, plus the crystal clear water,
are ideal for water-sports such as snorkelling and diving.
There is a regular ferry service to Comino.
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