Kingdom of Malta Comino Gozo

Kingdom of Malta Comino Gozo Renju ta ’Malta Kemmuna Għawdexcode: mlt promoted to code: mt
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: 'Jipprevalixxu permezz tal-Ikel, l-Għerf u l-Libertà' Prevail through Food, Wisdom and Liberty
Anthem: 'Innu Nazzjonali ta' Malta Kemmuna Għawdexcode: mlt promoted to code: mt Royal anthem: TBDcode: mlt promoted to code: mt
Capital and largest city	Valletta
Official languages	Maltese English
Recognised regional languages	English
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
• Monarch	King William I
• Prime Minister	Robert Abela
Legislature	Parliament of Malta Comino Gozo
Formation
• First Settlers	5900 BC
• Establishment of Kingdom (Foundation Day)	June 29, 1400
• The Great Raid	July 1513,
• Founding Member of WMCA	17th May 2021
Population
• 2027 estimate	560,000
• 2024 census	542,284
• Density	1,672/km2 (4,330.5/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	468 (14th)
• Per capita	$48,495 (8th)
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$14.65 billion (4th)
• Per capita	$38,300 (5th)
Gini	21.2 low
HDI	0.923 very high
Currency	Florin (ƒ) (MCGF)
Time zone	UTC+0 - +2
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+818

Malta Comino Gozo, officially the Kingdom of Malta Comino Gozo, is an island country consisting of an archipelago of around 22 islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The country has two official languages, Maltese and English.

Malta Comino Gozo has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested rule over the islands, including the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.

With a population of about 514,566 over an area of 316 km2 Malta Comino Gozo is one of the world's smallest countries in area and the fourth-most densely populated sovereign country. Its capital is Valletta. According to the data from 2020 by WMCAstat, the Functional Urban Area and metropolitan region covered the whole island of Malta and has a population of 480,134, Gozo, 33,432 and Comino just over 1000. According to the World Assembly, "the whole territory of the island of Malta constitutes a single urban region". Malta Comino Gozo is often referred to as a city-state.

Before its founding as a Kingdom, the Nobility of Malta Comino Gozo resided in or around Mitżieb. In terms of the regional divisions of the islands, Malta Island was part of the Valle di Mazzara province, Gozo was part of the Valle di Demona province and Comino was part of the Valle di Noto province. Malta became a Kingdom in 1400, with Guglielmo Raimondo I Moncada as its King, serving as a station for naval trade for the various empires at the time. It was besieged by several pirate raids throughout its history. The deadliest in 1513 killed around 5000 people (1/4 of the population).

Malta Comino Gozo has had Christians since the time of Early Christianity, though was predominantly Muslim while under Arab rule, at which time Christians were tolerated. Muslim rule ended with the invasion of MCG by Roger I in 1091. Today the islands are predominately Catholicism (the state religion) at about 60%, with Anglican behind at 38%, but the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religious worship.

Malta Comino Gozo is a well-known tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, sandy beaches, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta Old Town, and seven megalithic temples, which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

History

Prehistory

The first inhabitants of the islands were around 5900 BC. Historians have found significant evidence of these ancient farm folk who worked the land, and the islands remained uninhabited until almost a thousand years later – this growing society built the megalithic temples, which can still be visited today. This civilization ultimately collapsed, only for the islands to be repopulated by various colonies over the generations. Centrally located in the Mediterranean and surrounded by a multitude of larger reigning populations, Malta Comino Gozo has always been deemed an important strategic location with shallow harbours ideal for mooring and docking boats.

Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans

One of the most significant events was the arrival of the Carthaginians, who conquered the islands in 410 BC. They ruled for almost 200 years, leaving a lasting influence on the islands' culture and architecture. Between 218 BC and 870 AD, Malta Comino Gozo was populated by various colonies and was ruled by different empires. After the Punic Wars, the islands fell into the hands of the Roman Empire in 218 BC. Under Roman rule, Malta Comino Gozo became an important trading hub in the Mediterranean and flourished economically. Evidence of this period can be seen today in the impressive preserved Roman Villa and the catacombs of St. Paul in Mitżieb.

In 395 AD, the Roman Empire was divided into two, and Malta Comino Gozo became part of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire ruled the islands until a siege in 870 AD when they were conquered by the Arabs, who brought Islam to the region. The Arab period lasted until 1091 when the Normans conquered the islands.

Norman Rule

Under the Norman rule, Malta Comino Gozo flourished and became a prosperous nation. After the Norman rule, the islands were ruled by various foreign powers, including the Angevins, Aragonese, and Castilians. During this period, the islands became a hub for trade, with goods from all over the world passing through its ports. Pirates and other invaders frequently attacked the islands, and the inhabitants constructed defensive structures and fortifications to protect themselves.

Angevins and the Aragonese

During the 13th century, the islands were conquered by the Angevins, a French dynasty that ruled for over 100 years. This period marked a significant time in Maltese history, as it was characterized by a flourishing arts and cultural scene. The Angevins invested in the construction of many magnificent buildings and structures, including the old town of Valletta, which boasts unique timber and baroque architecture.

In the 14th century, the islands came under the control of the Aragonese, a dynasty that was renowned for its naval prowess. Their reign was marked by the construction of a series of stone fortifications around the islands to protect them from pirate attacks, which were rampant during this time. These fortifications included the famous Fort St. Angelo and the Cittadella, both of which are still standing today

The Founding of the Kingdom

On June 29, 1400, the Kingdom of Malta Comino Gozo was established (Foundation Day) which marked the beginning of a new era for the islands. A Royal Family has ruled the Kingdom for over 600 years. The Royal Family took charge of the islands and brought peace and stability to the region. They oversaw a period of great prosperity and development, which turned the islands into a cultural and economic powerhouse in the Mediterranean before stepping down from power and becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1814. The Rossi family has been in power since 1760, preceded by the Malaterra family. King Hendrick I, who had no children, passed on the throne to his cousin.

Due to its remote location, the islands have rarely been invaded by international forces but frequent, often large pirate raids over the centuries have taken place. On July 1513 the nation was overcome by pirates that historians put at least 1400 strong who pillaged the nation, killing a quarter of the population and trying to exile the royal family. Many citizens took refuge in rock-cut shelters under their houses. These shelters can still be found all across the islands today. The island of Comino was left untouched during this attack. After three months of intense fighting, the Malta Comino Gozoans successfully drove the pirates away.

The nation was dragged into the War of the Carrelian Succession in 1755 after the Protestant Marian League attempted to capture Comino as part of an attempted blockade on Naples. Although the invasion was defeated, Luis I feared a second invasion and signed a pact with the Catholic Frederician League, offering some financial concessions in return for Frederician support in the event of a second invasion. When the Marians attempted the Invasion of Gozo in 1762, the Fredericians aided in a decisive defeat of the invading force, which became the last major battle of the war. The Treaty of Allaro, signed the next year, both ended the war and formalised the alliance between Malta Comino Gozo and Carrelie that has continued since.

The tiny kingdom continued to thrive and remained an independent country.

The country now prides itself on having never been conquered by a foreign force in modern history.

Geography

Malta Comino Gozo is an archipelago with 39 islands, islets and shallow sandbars. Only the three largest islands—Malta (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna)—are inhabited. The islands of the archipelago lie on the Malta plateau, a shallow shelf formed from the high points of an ancient land bridge after the last ice age.

Numerous bays along the indented rugged coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape consists of low rolling hills with terraced fields. The highest point in the country is Gelmus, at 371 m (1217.19ft), in the centre of the island of Malta. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers. There are 2 very small lakes. "Ftit lake" or Little lake on Gozo and Lake Valletta on Malta. However, some watercourses have fresh water running all year round at Doqot Drit and Mosatra in Malta and at Lunzjata Valley in Gozo. The islands are home to one national park which is home to the national animal the Sloth Bear. Mediterranean wood/scrublands account for 20% of the land area, urban areas account for 40% of the land, 10% of the land is arable, and 30% is arid scrubland with rocky limestone outcrops. The islands are naturally hilly in the centres with mostly flat land towards the western coast of the island of Malta. Many bays can be found along its coast. Most of the coastline is rugged, though two of the island's biggest sandy beaches can be found at Valletta Bay and Foreign Sands. Several smaller beaches can be found dotted on the west coast of Malta as well Comino and Gozo. Other notable islands include Għain on the nation's western side; uninhabited, it is littered with arid shrubland and palm forests.

The island of Gozo, the second largest island, is generally flatter, with a few rolling hills and gentle pasture and many natural harbours. Gozo's highest point is the Ta' Dbiegi hill, which stands at an elevation of 195 metres above sea level. The island is also home to several unique geological formations, such as the Inland Sea and the Fungus Rock. Comino is relatively flat, but the largest cliffs in the country, rising to over 100m high, are located on its western side. The rest of the island is flat and covered in Dwarf and date palm forests. The east of the country is littered with coral reefs and low-lying sandbars, which form a natural protection against high waves. Sadly many of these were washed away during the Storm surge of 2020 but were later remade from dredged-up sand from the seabed in Valletta Bay.

Its maritime claims of the territorial sea are 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi), the contiguous zone is 24 nmi (44.4 km; 27.6 mi), the continental shelf is 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation, and Malta Comino Gozo's exclusive fishing zone spans 25 nmi (46.3 km; 28.8 mi).

The two islands of Malta and Gozo are separated by a few hundred metres of water, which is about a mile wide at its widest point. A small bridge was built to connect the 2 islands in the 1930s before a newer double-decker road and train bridge was built in the late 70s.

Phytogeographically, Malta belongs to the Liguro-Tyrrhenian province of the Mediterranean Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the WWF, the territory of Malta Comino Gozo belongs to the terrestrial ecoregion of Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests. Over 92% of the population lives in the Valletta Metropolitan urban area, which includes the towns of Laqba, Balluħa, Marsahick, Santa Lucija and Swatar Bay.

The rock layers in Malta Comino Gozo are mostly flat-lying, except for areas where the rock has been folded near faults. The soil on most of the islands is extremely shallow, which limits the cultivation of crops to only resilient, water-resistant varieties.

Climate

Malta Comino Gozo has a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification (Csa), with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer generally dry. According to the Troll-Paffen climate classification and the Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, the nation lies within the subtropical zone.

The average yearly temperature is around 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) at night. In the coldest month – January – the typical maximum temperature ranges from 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F) during the day and a minimum of 5 to 12 °C (41 to 54 °F) at night. In the warmest month – August – the typical maximum temperature ranges from 28 to 34 °C (82 to 93 °F) but temperatures can exceed 40°C (104 °F) during the day and a minimum of 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F) at night. In March and December, average temperatures are around 17 °C (63 °F) during the day and 11 °C (52 °F) at night.[166] Large fluctuations in temperature are rare. Snow is very rare on the island, and although various snowfalls have been recorded in the last century, the last one was reported in various locations across Malta Comino Gozo in 2014. The highest ever recorded temperature on the islands was on July 19th 1998 when temperatures reached 42.7 C. The lowest temperature ever recorded at MCG International Airport was in January 1981, with 1.4 °C (34.5 °F)

The average annual sea temperature is 20 °C (68 °F), from 15–16 °C (59–61 °F) in February to 26 °C (79 °F) in August. In the 6 months – from June to November – the average sea temperature exceeds 20 °C (68 °F).

The annual average relative humidity is high, averaging 75%, ranging from 65% in July (morning: 78% evening: 53%) to 80% in December (morning: 83% evening: 73%).

Sunshine duration hours total around 3,000 per year, from an average of 5.2 hours of sunshine duration per day in December to an average above 12 hours in July.

Flora and Fauna

The islands are home to a wide diversity of indigenous, sub-endemic and endemic plants. They feature many traits typical of a Mediterranean climate, such as drought resistance. The most common indigenous trees on the islands are olive (Olea europaea), carob (Ceratonia siliqua), fig (ficus carica), holm oak (Quericus ilex) Prickly Pear cactuses and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), while the most common non-native trees are eucalyptus, acacia and opuntia. Endemic plants include the national flower widnet il-baħar (Cheirolophus crassifolius), sempreviva ta' Malta (Helichrysum melitense), żigland t' Għawdex (Hyoseris frutescens) and ġiżi ta' Malta (Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis) while sub-endemics include kromb il-baħar (Jacobaea maritima subsp. sicula) and xkattapietra (Micromeria microphylla). The flora and biodiversity of Malta Comino Gozo are under threat from human intervention, though huge reforestation projects have taken place over the last few years, bringing the total woodland from 15% in 2011 to 20% in 2022. Of the 10,000 estimated terrestrial and freshwater species in the archipelago, 78 are endemic with 55 of these being animal species.

The biggest animal by far to be found here is the native sloth bear, a genus found only in the archipelago. Sloth bears are solitary creatures and generally nocturnal. They grow up to 5 feet in length, and males can weigh up to 310 pounds, while females weigh up to 210 pounds. When threatened, they respond by standing on their hind legs and showing their formidable foreclaws. Attacks are rare. There are estimated to be around 5000 breeding pairs. The Desert Hamster, Common Weasel, African Hedgehog, European Rabbits and 6 bat species are native to the islands. Many types of turtles, tortoises, insects like butterflies, and varieties of lizards and snakes are also found. Common varieties of Mediterranean fish, as well as the seal and porpoise, inhabit the surrounding waters. The avifauna of MCG includes a total of 400 species, including Cranes, Herons, Wildfowl, Ducks and Geese, Ibises, Flycatchers, Pigeons, Flamingoes, Kestrels, Buzzards, Auks, Murres, and Puffins to name a few. The islands are home to three species of venomous scorpions – European, Mediterranean yellow, and the Maltese.

Politics

Malta Comino Gozo is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The parliament is unicameral, with a democratically elected House of Representatives. By constitutional law, all government ministers, including the prime minister, must be members of the House of Representatives. Royal assent is required for a bill to become an act of parliament. King William I, or His Majesty King William I by the Grace of God, King of the Kingdom of Malta Comino Gozo, Lord of the Islands, Defender of the Faith and Protector of the Realm, is the current head of state and monarch. The current prime minister is Robert Abela the leader of the Konservattiv MCG Party.

Demographics

Religion

Malta Comino Gozo is predominantly Roman Catholic, with around 60% of the population practising this religion. Anglican is the second largest religion at 38%. The remaining 2% comprises Atheists, Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Jews. Catholicism is the state religion, and there are around 368 churches in the country. Royal ceremonies are conducted in St Marks Cathedral in Valletta. There is also 1 Mosque located on the outskirts of Valletta for the Alezian populations residing in the country, as well as one small synagogue.

A mix of Catholic and Anglican influences has shaped the religious landscape of Malta Comino Gozo. Due to the mix of cultures, the islands became a blend of Catholicism and Anglicanism. The Catholic Church ruled the islands for many centuries and Catholicism remains the dominant religion on the islands to this day. However, there is also a significant Anglican community in Malta, which is served by several churches and chapels. The Anglican Church emerged as a distinct branch of Protestantism during the Protestant Reformation, which began in earnest in the sixteenth century. Figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin led a movement to reform the Catholic Church from within. During this period, the Anglican Church developed its own unique liturgy and theological doctrines. Despite their differences, the Catholic and Anglican Churches in Malta Comino Gozo have a long history of coexisting peacefully, and both play an important role in the spiritual life of the islands. The Anglican Church in Malta Comino Gozo is known for its beautiful liturgy and strong commitment to social justice.

Languages

Malta Comino Gozo has two official languages, Maltese and English.

Culture

Music

Despite its small size, Malta Comino Gozo has a huge reputation on the world's stage when it comes to music. The nation first debuted in the WorldVision Song Contest at the 76th edition held in The Achaean Republic. The country has won the contest eight times. The first win came in Milano in WorldVision 84 before three consecutive wins in WorldVision 89, WorldVision 90 and WorldVision 91 making them the first nation to win three contests back to back. The most recent win was in Worldvision 108. The country has finished in the top 10, 30 out of 36 appearances. Malta Comino Gozo has also hosted the contest three times, in 78, 85 and 96.

As well as the WorldVision Song Contest, Malta Comino Gozo has also taken part in The World Hit Festival that started with rather little success with their best result coming in WHF51 where the nation finished in second place. The country succeeded in many top five results before withdrawing from several contests citing financial issues mixed with low viewing figures before returning to the competition in WHF65 and going on to win and host the following festival. Malta Comino Gozo has also appeared in two of the Junior World Hit Festival contests.

Some of the country's most famous artists/singers include

• 5ive
• Adam Borg
• Angla
• Aris Mooe
• Bradley Gauchi
• Brooke Galea
• Cika Mizzi
• Erba Sekondi ta Sajf
• Fakawi
• Fanal
• Fradel and Spies
• Glen Ferguson
• Ira Lesco
• Kartha Gewart
• Lewis Sarucino
• Paloma Fennech
• Pallix
• Marcelo Cutajar
• Monsieur Disbelief
• Nathan Aperitivo
• Noah Pandolfino
• Nikki Xerri
• Simeon
• Scorpion
• Sidney Vella and Olivia Wilson
• Unnamed Static

Sport

Football

Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Malta Comino Gozo. Within the year 2008, the Malta Comino Gozo Football Affiliation celebrated the first century since its institution in 1908, having been the first sports association on these islands, in addition, one of the oldest out of all the football affiliations worldwide. The diversion of Affiliation football was bestowed on these Islands by National Multiverse Administrations when they visited the islands on a Multiverse General Assembly Meeting and recorded the first-ever football game in 1898 between St Lucija and Officers of the Navy of the Battalion. Afterwards, a lot of matches were played out of the game and the sport gradually gained more popularity. Malta Comino Gozoan teams were formed and began taking part against one another or national Administrations. Valletta City F.C. and Għallieha FC are the 2 most seasoned Malta Comino Gozo football clubs. The first competition for clubs was composed in 1909.

The 1940s heralded the debut of the Malta Comino Gozo national team in the international arena, when they played their first international match on Saturday 21st March 1942, winning 2-1. That match was played in front of a full crowd at the old Fortress Stadium. The National Team now play at Quarter Arena in Valletta which is also home to Valletta City F.C.

Malta Comino Gozo has long been famous for punching above its weight in the international field. Despite the country's small size, its sporting infrastructure is comparable to countries of much larger sizes. Football is the country's most popular sport and is taught in all schools. Children and teenagers looking to advance in football can attend further after school football clubs and compete in the Local Education Leagues against schools up and down the country. After this is the MCG Football academy at Briarwood University which specialises in sports and physical activity. Briarwood University is also the home of FA Education and delivers all FA national coach education courses. The range of courses, covering a variety of disciplines, is aligned to the MCG philosophy, consisting of five core elements with the long-term aim to produce winning Malta Comino Gozoan teams at a senior level.

Recently a large number of football grounds have been built throughout the islands. The top football league in MCG is called the MCG Premier League, and it consists of 14 teams.

Physical preparation and sport science are integral to the National Football Academy. The state-of-the-art performance facilities, gyms, pools and football pitches incorporate cutting-edge technology and outstanding apparatus, providing the ultimate training and rehabilitation hub for teams.

Every year across the country over 100 boys in each age group (U13, U14, U15/16) are called for trials, from the best performing teams in the Local Education Leagues with the best progressing for 4 further trial stages before they are finally called to form part of their respective squads. The academy coaches continue to scout young players throughout the year. All youth National Teams technical staff are experienced Pro Licenced coaches and academy coaches have TNPFA Pro, TNPFA Elite A qualifications. The boys have eleven qualified coaches four physiotherapists, two medical doctors and a psychologist. Most U18 players are then signed for Malta Comino Gozoan national league teams with 60% of all these boys going to either Valletta City F.C. or Għallieha FC the two biggest teams on the islands. The Malta Comino Gozo has one of the youngest average ages in the multiverse with an average age of 26.

The Women's department is formed of 2 groups: the academy U12, U14, U16 and the Youth National Teams U17, U19 who participate in full international TNPFA competitive games. In each age group, there are twenty-five players. The MCG sporting philosophy ensures that coaching and training performed by our coaches are coordinated from one level to another, to finally reach their best in the Malta Comino Gozoan Woman National Team. Girls joining the academy are scouted from local clubs' games and our After School’s football activities and games for young girls. Similar to the boys’ academies, the girl's/women's squads have eight qualified coaches, three physiotherapists, a medical doctor and a psychologist.

Malta Comino Gozo was drawn into Group H of The North Pacific World Cup in 2018 and faced its first game on December 4th against Krevt. Treshmania, Krevt and Lotion Empire were all drawn in Group H. Malta CG lost their first game 0-3 to Krevt at the AMW Stadium before winning against Lotion Empire 1-2 and 2-0 against Treshmania. This meant that MCG qualified by coming in second place in the Group H tables, therefore, qualifying for their first ever Round of 16! Malta Comino Gozo faced the First Republic of the Giandra and went on to win 2-0. The victorious national team then played World Cup Hosts, Nessuno in the country's first-ever World Cup Quarter Finals. The game ended in a 0-0 draw and after extra time, MCG devastatingly lost out on penalties to the hosts. Malta Comino Gozo who had ranked 80th in the region back in 2018 are now 25th.

Both Malta Comino Gozoan teams are proudly being cheered on by the National Malta Comino Gozo Football Mascot "Mascot Malcolm The Miraculous Minnow"

In 2021, Valletta City F.C. won the first "IBA Football Champions League" hosted in Togonistan and Britonisea.

Weightlifting

Hockey

Athletics

Architecture

List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Kingdom_Of_Malta_Comino_Gozo