An archipelago of 8 islands, 4 of which are inhabited
Located in the middle of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 297 km from the Tunisian coast, the Maltese archipelago covers 316 km2 and comprises eight islands, four of which are inhabited: the main island of Malta (246 km2, 27 km long and 14.5 km wide), Gozo (67 km2, 14.5 km long and 7.2 km wide), Comino (2.7 km2), located between Malta and Gozo, and Manoel Island (0.3 km2), located north of Valletta and linked to the town of Gzira by a bridge. The other four small islands are uninhabited. They are Cominotto (0.25 km2), separated from Comino by the Fliegu Strait (about 100 meters), between which lies the Blue Lagoon, and Filfla (0.06 km2, 5 km from the coast, inaccessible due to its steep cliffs) and the two islands of Saint-Paul (0.09 km2, a short boat ride from St Paul's Bay).
A honey-coloured country
Resting on the northern edge of the African plate, the Maltese archipelago is made up of slightly deformed sedimentary rocks, which are generally inclined to the northeast. The Maltese islands are essentially made up of limestone rocks, covered by a layer of clay and sand. Gozo's soil is more fertile than Malta's, as it contains more clay. The globigerine is a protozoan (microscopic organism) that appeared in the Tertiary period and still makes up a significant proportion of marine plankton; its small calcareous shell is one of the main components of carbonaceous sludge, which, as it disintegrates, makes up globigerine limestone, otherwise known as Maltese dimension stone. It was used in the construction of sumptuous ancient palaces and churches. This golden stone, supple to extract and work, then hardens in contact with air, hence its longevity. The Maltese still use it for their new homes, which you'll see in the endless horizontal residential suburbs. The majority of other buildings are made of coral limestone, that of the upper layers. Whether you arrive in Malta by boat or by plane, you'll immediately be fascinated by the island's soft colors. The color is that of honey, that of globigerine. It's also the rock on which you'll be hiking through the fragrant garrigue. Around Zurrieq and Siggiewi in Malta, or to the west of Kercem in Gozo, you'll come across gigantic quarries where globigerine blocks are cut like large slices of cake. The finesse and precision of the work sometimes give the impression of a pasteboard decor, so perfect is the finish. In Siggiewi, you can visit The Limestone Heritage, a small theme park dedicated to this stone, the country's emblem. It is one of the symbols of the archipelago.
Centre versus coasts
Malta's landscape is characterized by arid hills and terraced fields, a legacy of the Arab era. In the center of the island, you won't find any forests or rivers, as the watercourses have been reduced to wadis(wied), freshwater in the form of a water table floating on a sheet of seawater. Over time, excessive pumping of this water table led to the brining of freshwater and salinization of farmland. Since the 19th century, water desalination has met most needs. You won't see any mountains either, since the highest point on the island of Malta is Ta'Dmejrek, dominating the village of Dingli at 253 meters, and the average altitude of the archipelago is 120 meters above sea level.
The Maltese coast, on the other hand, offers a wide variety of views, with a total of 196.8 km of coastline, to which should be added the 56 km-plus coastline of the island of Gozo. Along the way, you'll find natural harbours, the most famous of which are Valletta's Grand Port and Marsamxett, bays, coves, cliffs and caves. And, of course, sandy and rocky beaches.
Sandy beaches. Although not necessarily the best spot in the Mediterranean for sandy beaches, Malta is nevertheless home to some beautiful sandy beaches. Sandwiched between Golden Bay and Gnejna Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha is undoubtedly the most charming, with its natural character, ochre sand and translucent water. Also on the podium are Golden Bay and Paradise Bay, just a few meters from the pier to Gozo. There's also Mellieha Bay, the longest on the island of Malta; Ramla Bay in Gozo, surely one of the most beautiful in the archipelago, with its golden-red sand; Armier Bay, not far from Mellieha, with its fine sand and coconut palms; and Santa Marija Bay in Comino, where you can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon after a short 15-20 minute walk.
Rocky beaches. With their large, flat stones, they are also very pleasant. Staircases are sometimes built into the rock, either to access the beach or for seclusion. Top of the list is St Peters Pool: located in the south of Malta, not far from Marsaxlokk, this natural pool with its beautiful blue-green water is one of the best places to take a dip. For those who don't want to jump off the rocks, there are steps down to the water. Another natural pool, Ghar Lapsi "Grotte de l'Ascension", is nestled beneath the Dingli cliffs, in a particularly wild landscape. Its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs have made it a favorite spot for divers. Near Bahrija, Fomm ir-rih Bay is one of Malta's most secluded pebble beaches, where you'll want to swim only in calm weather, surrounded by vertical cliffs. For those who prefer more urban beaches, Sliema's seafront is the place to be. The coastal road from Sliema to Saint Julian's offers plenty of opportunities for swimming on flat rocks. Gozo also offers a fine selection of attractive coastlines. Xendli Bay has a charming little beach with shallow waters; still to the south, Mgarr Ix-Xini is a delightful little pebble beach surrounded by magisterial rocks and bordered by cliffs, which served as the setting for the film By the Sea starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Heading north, after visiting the village of Nadur, Dahlet Qorrot Bay guarantees safe swimming in crystal-clear waters. And further east, Hondoq Ir-Rummien is one of the island's most secret beaches. Below the village of Qala, you'll find a succession of small coves, caves and salt marshes. Last but not least, Comino is home to the Blue Lagoon, with its dreamy scenery, provided you avoid the summer tourist crowds.
