MALTESE ISLANDS

The 'Maltese Islands' are a group of islands in the Mediterranean. The main islands are Malta Island and Gozo. Other islands that form part of the archipelago include: Comino (''Kemmuna''), Cominotto (''Kemmunett'', uninhabited), Filfla (uninhabited), Fungus Rock (''Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral'', uninhabited), Manoel Island (which is joined to the town of Gżira, on the mainland, by a bridge), and the Islands of St. Paul (uninhabited). The Maltese Islands have been an independent republic since 1974. The centre of government, commerce and culture is the capital city of Valletta, on the eastern coast of Malta.
The Maltese Islands are predominantly Roman Catholic, and St. Paul (Maltese: ''San Pawl'') and the Blessed Virgin Mary (Maltese: ''l-Imqaddsa Verġni Marija'') are considered to be their Patron Saints, with particular devotion annually on the following dates:

★ February 10, which is the date attributed to St. Paul's shipwreck on Malta (Maltese: ''in-Nawfraġju ta' San Pawl''), and the Christianization of Malta.

★ Friday before Good Friday (il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira), the day of Our Lady of Sorrows (Maltese: ''id-Duluri'')

★ June 29, the feast of St Peter and St Paul (Maltese: L-Imnarja)

★ August 15, the feast of the Assumption (Maltese: ''Marija Assunta'').

★ September 8, the feast of Our Lady of Victories (Maltese: ''il-Vittorja''), a date which has deep historical significance for the Maltese.

★ December 8, the feast of Immacualte Conception (Maltese: ''Il-Kunċizzjoni'')

Contents

List of Islands

See also

List of Islands

This is a list of islands of Malta.

★ Comino

★ Cominotto

★ Delimara Island

★ Filfla

★ Fungus Rock

★ Għallis Island

★ Gozo

★ Islands of St. Paul

★ Malta Island

★ Manoel Island

★ Qawra Island

★ Xrob l-Għaġin Island

See also

★ Malta

★ List of islands in the Mediterranean

★ Geography of Malta

★ Culture of Malta