ABOUT GOZO
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Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, second in size to the island of Malta. In Maltese, the island is called Ghawdex (pronounced áw-desh). Gozo is part of the country of Malta.
| History |
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Gozo has been inhabitated since the 5th millennium BC, as witnessed by the megalithic structures at Ggantija. The first Neolithic settlers probably crossed over from Sicily. Another interesting neolithic structure is the Xaghra Stone Circle.
In July 1551 Ottomans and Barbary pirates conquered Gozo and enslaved all 5,000 or 6,000 inhabitants, bringing them to Tarhuna Wa Msalata in Libya. Their departure port in Gozo was Mgarr ix-Xini.
The history of Gozo is strongly coupled with the history of Malta, since Gozo has been governed by Malta within recent history, with the exception of a short period of autonomy between October 28, 1798 and September 5, 1800. |
| Geography |
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Gozo is 67 km² in size, which is approximately the same as Hong Kong Island. It lies approximately 6 km northwest from the nearest point of Malta, is of oval form, 14 km in length and 7.25 km in extreme breadth. Gozo is famed for its grotto of Calypso, at a little distance from which are the ruins of a Cyclopean temple, a most conspicuous monument of antiquity. It is more picturesque than the larger sister island of Malta, and the country, covered as it is with conical hills, is more fertile in its plains and valleys. |
| Connection to the Maltese Mainland |
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The construction of a bridge between the two islands was the subject of controversy for years. At present the island is reachable by ferry boat or by helicopter. Regular ferries relay between the port of Cirkewwa on Malta and Mgarr on Gozo, establishing services for goods, tourism and commuting. Permanent residents of Gozo are able to use the ferry at a subsidised rate, significantly lower than the standard fare. The heliport at Xewkija provides passenger services to the mainland's airport in Luqa. |
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