Malta is an archipelago in the centre of the clear blue Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya in Africa.

The archipelago consists of Malta, Gozo and Comino being the largest islands and other small islands. The total population is of 400,000 inhabitants over an area of 316sq km and a coastline of 196.8km (not including 56.01 km for the island of Gozo). Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre.

Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is practically uninhabited. All the other smaller islands, Filfla, Cominotto and the Islands of St. Paul are uninhabited. Maltese and English are the country's official languages, though many Maltese are all fluent in Italian. The most practiced religion is Roman Catholic, being evident with all the Churches over the Island, however one can find other churches or places of worships relating to other religions.

The coast of the Maltese Islands is indented with several sandy and rocky beaches, and boasts superb sunny weather, thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history. From Megalithic temples to forts built by the knights - Malta is a historical gem in the Mediterranean.

Horse-drawn carts, known as Karrozzin, can be seen on the roads of towns and villages. Introduced in Malta around 1856, under the reigning monarch of Queen Victoria, the 'Victoria' (as it was called then) was the main means of transport for many years until the arrival of cars, trams and buses. Nowadays, one can enjoy the splendour of the architectural and historical sights by taking a sightseeing tour on a Karrozin.

Lace-making has been a traditional craft for centuries, and apart from being durable it is also very beautiful. Since around the 17th Century, lace was hand made by mainly Gozitan women, and till this day one can come across a woman sitting at her doorstep in Gozo, working lace just as they did centuries ago. From table cloths to centre pieces one can choose from a traditional or modern day pattern.

In all the towns and villages of the Maltese Islands, ornate wooden balconies compliment the façade of houses and flats alike. These wooden balconies are a traditional building style and have been in existence since the times of the knights.

The fishing villages of Marsaxlokk, Marsascala and Birzebugga are colourful and tranquil in their own way. They offer the more familiar characteristic of a Mediterranean island and both tourists and locals can relax in one of the many harbour-side cafes, watching the fishermen busy unfurling the entangled fishing nets or on their 'Luzzu'. The Luzzu, a fishing vessel uniquely Maltese, is painted in the traditional colours of blue, red and yellow. On the bow, carved or painted, many Luzzus have the eyes of Osiris, a symbol brought to Malta by the Phoenicians. Apart from being a fishing vessel, the Luzzu is also used to ferry tourists on sightseeing tours around the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities, around St. Julians Bay, and from Sliema to Valletta.

The Maltese Islands are a real treat for divers and snorklers, with all the caves, wrecks (home to many species of marine life), reefs and more that they have to offer. Apart from other positive aspects, one of the most important is that the Maltese Islands are an all-year-round Centre for the diver. Diving in winter offers the advantage that many species of fish move inshore to shallower, slightly warmer waters and as they are not disturbed by swimmers during this season, the diver has even better opportunities for observation and photography than in summer. Sea temperatures in summer are about 26° Celsius, and in winter about 15° Celsius.

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