The maltese islands

MALTESE ISLANDS

Yes, If I won a grant to study english I would go to Maltese Islands. Why have I chosen this country? The weather is the main answer, of course, and because I love Mediterranean countries and the Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta,Gozo and Comino with a total population of 400,000 inhabitants.
Island of Malta (The island where I would like to go to study english)
Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre.
Island of Gozo (I think it is a nice place to go for a day)
Gozo is the second largest island, greener, smaller and more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts andagriculture.
Island of Comino (I’m dying to go there!!!)
Comino is largely uninhabited. It is situated between Malta and Gozo. It is a paradise for snorkellers, divers, windsurfers and walkers.

HISTORY

I think it is important to know something about the history of the country that you are going to visit.
Malta's history is somewhat peculiar. Because of the strategic location in the middle ofthe Mediterranean Sea, it has been conquered and disputed by several powers over the centuries: Phoenicians, Greeks, Rome, Arabs, Normans, French and British. In 1964 achieved the independence. Malta has suffered many attacks by each of these powers.
As a consequence of this, Malta is peculiar because it leads to the left (the British) and local people speak in Maltese (mixture of Italian, Greekand Arabic).
The Republic of Malta is an independent state that belongs to the Commonwealth. This comprises a group of islands whose names are: Malta, Gozo, Comino and Filfla Cominotto. The capital city is called La Valletta and has a population of about 7,000 people. In 2004, Malta joined the European Union and on 1st January 2008 adopted the euro as its currency.

FOOD AND DRINK

In Maltayou can taste strange things to eat because Maltese cuisine is directly related to fishing, and it is a mixture of Italian and North African cuisine.  Traditional Maltese food is based on the seasons. Do you like fish pie, Rabbit Stew, ratatouille, and widow’s soup? Come to Malta, it is the ideal place to taste them.
There are also snacks in bread dipped in olive oil, rubbed with ripe tomatoes andfilled with a mix of tuna, onion, garlic, tomatoes and capers.
A trip to the fish market on Sunday morning will show you just how varied the fish catch is in Maltese waters: bass, stone fish, grouper, white bream, red mullet, swordfish, tuna, and the octopus and squid often used to make some rich stews and pasta sauces.
And for sweet tooth people like me, what can I say about the dessert?Traditional dessert delicacies are crispy, fried pastry filled with ricotta, mix of sponge, ice-cream, candied fruits and cream and sweet sugary mixture of crushed and whole almonds.
Malta may not be renowned like its larger Mediterranean neighbours for wine production, but Maltese vintages have participated in international competitions, winning several accolades in France and Italy.

FESTIVALS &TRADITIONS
Who doesn’t like enjoying when you are abroad? Depend on the season you visit Malta, you will enjoy different festivals.
Malta is a strong Catholic country; Christmas and Easter are highly celebrated.
Some Feast days are actually national holidays, such as the feast of Santa Marija in August.  Others, such as the harvest festival at the end of June, are steeped in folklore.  However,the most important events to all villages are their individual festivals, honouring their parish patron saint.
Families prepare large Christmas and Easter lunches; giving thanks for all that they have with their relatives. During these days, the streets are lined with carts, selling a wide assortment of different foods as well as the more traditional sweets.
The Maltese Islands hold a colourful...