In case you are wondering about the name Gozo, it is the second largest island in the group of four that makes up the country of Malta. The other islands are Comino and Filfla, and of course, Malta, the largest of the islands, home to the country's capital, Valletta.

First and foremost, Malta is a haven for antiquity. There are ruins of temples that are 7,000 years old. This makes them much, much older than Stonehenge; they also predate the oldest of the Egyptian pyramids. The Lonely Planet Guide touches on all of the most important historical sites, which include the city of Valletta — it happens to be the only truly Renaissance city left in Europe. Consequently it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Churches abound in this tiny nation, which is said to have been the place where St. Paul became shipwrecked on his way to Rome. Christians have been living on the islands ever since.

There are plenty of beaches, places in which to go diving in the Mediterranean and also yachting, beautiful blue grottos to investigate, and hiking trails on Gozo. So, there is much to do for those who are looking for an active vacation. And there is plenty of entertainment for the younger set on the main island; for those seeking culinary experiences, restaurants abound on both Malta and Gozo. A ferry connects the islands. Gozo is the place for those seeking a quiet vacation. It is far less inhabited than Malta.

In case you do not know where to find Malta, look just below Sicily. The country lies about 80 km south of the island of Sicily and about 150 km off the coast of Libya. Like Canada, Malta has two official languages, Maltese (Malti) and English. The language is of Aramaic origins, mixed with Italian, French and English words that have been altered to fit Maltese. It is the only language of that group, which includes Hebrew and Arabic, which is written with the Roman alphabet. The islands have been invaded by just about every nation from the Phoenicians to the Normans. The French under Napoleon stayed only a short time, but long enough to cart away huge treasures that were then lost when part of the French fleet was lost off Egypt. The British came to Malta on invitation of the Maltese to ensure the French would not return. The British stayed until the mid-1960s. Malta is a member of the British Commonwealth, just as Canada is. Malta was a major battle ground during WWII, but the hardy population resisted all attempts by the Italians and the Germans to crush the island. It is said that the inability of the Axis partners to destroy the island and to take it was a major reason that the Germans lost North Africa.

Copyright © 2005-9 CamKohl Arts Productions