MALTA: Floriana Gardens - Argotti and The Mall
MALTA: Floriana - Argotti Gardens and The Mall
Floriana is a suburb of the Capital City, Valletta. We've highlighted two gardens: Argotti Gardens and The Mall We also show a few nearby interesting buildings and the Parish Church.
Argotti Gardens:
Built by Don Emmanuel Pinto and in 1741 it was taken over and embellished by Bailiff Ignatius de Argote et Gusman. The Gardens feature many rare trees, plants and arrays of botanic species. Below the Argotti Gardens there's St Philips Garden which features a 3-tier fountain built by GM Pinto in 1751 and was originally placed in the Palace Square, Valletta.
The Mall:
Built by GM Lascaris Gastellian in 1656. It was converted into a public garden in 1805 by Sir Alexandar Ball. The Mall features ponds, trees and several monuments of prominent Maltese personalities. The Gardens feature many rare trees, plants and of botanic species.
We also show some nearby buildings:
THE SARRIA CHURCH: Present church was built and enlarged by GM N. Cottoner in 1676.
THE GRANARIES: Built in the 17th Century and were used for storage of grain. Major festivities are held here.
St Publius Parish Church:
Built in mid 1700's. The church was badly damaged during the war and parts of it had to be rebuilt. The beautiful titular statue of St Publius, who was the first Bishop of Malta and was made in 1815.
Robert Sammut Hall:
Robert Sammut Hall - a former Wesleyan Church (1883)
Wignacourt Water Tower:
Wignacourt Water Tower built in 1615 by GM Alof de Wignacourt
Music Lil Manwel Cilia by Manwel Casha from his CD album Neon
Photos by Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech
Video by Alfred and Jasmine Grech, Mosta, Malta.
© jasalf5959 - 2009
Floriana Gardens and Railway Station, Malta
The area that is today occupied by the town of Floriana was fortified in the early 17th century to strengthen the defences of the capital city Valletta. The bastions and fortifications were designed by the Italian military engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani and were called the Floriana Lines. The city that grew within during the reign of Grandmaster Antonio Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736) was named Borgo Vilhena in the Grandmaster's honour. However the residents preferred to continue to call their town Floriana (Maltese: Furjana) and this is the name that endured. The open spaces and gardens of Floriana were conceived as a recreational area for the Knights outside of the City of Valletta. Today Floriana is endowed with several public and historical gardens. Many are located above or within the bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour in the east or Marsamxett Harbour in the west. Floriana also boasts several historic fountains including the Tritons Fountain, just outside Valletta, the Lion Fountain (1728) in St. Anne Street and the Wignacourt Fountain that was moved to St. Philip Gardens from St. George Square (Main Guard) in Valletta. Among the more impressive monuments in Floriana are the statue of Christ The King (1913) by the famous Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino, located in The Mall just in front of the Phoenicia Hotel, The War Memorial within the roundabout at the end of St. Anne Street, the Vilhena Monument near the Granaries and the Monument to Pietro Paolo Floriani. This video starts at The Mall promenade and visits the Granaries, the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial garden, Vilhena Gardens, Sir Luigi Preziosi Gardens, King George V Garden, Herbert Ganado Gardens, St. Philip Gardens, Argotti Botanical Gardens, Sa Maison Garden Tal-Milorda and the Msida Bastion Historic Garden (Garden of Rest). One little known fact is that the Maltese patriot Mikiel Anton Vassalli is believed to have been buried in this cemetery. This video also visits Floriana's underground Victorian railway station (12:35), that was opened to the public for the first time since the War on just one day, 23rd October 2011 and also takes an unusual peep inside the Wignacourt Water Fountain (1615), that was also open to the public.
The video was shot mostly during November 2011.
Music: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5 Emperor, Mvt 1 and extract of Mvt 2, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Zubin Mehta, Alfred Brendel
MALTA: St Paul's Bay - Wignacourt Tower Festival 2011
The video was recorded at The Wignacourt Tower Festival on March 27, 2011, an event marking the anniversary of the opening of Wignacourt Tower - a landmark in St Paul's Bay, Northeast of Malta.
The main activities featured : Maltese traditional wedding re-enactment, Folklore shows, Vintage Carts with horses, Exhibition Stalls - Maltese agricultural tools, fresh flowers/veggies, sheep cheese, vintage bread cart & Maltese breads etc.
Note: This video only shows some of the activities due to time limit.
Two Folk Groups from Gozo, sister island of Malta: The Astra Folk Group and Aurora Folk Group gave a spectacular performance.
Wignacourt Tower was built by Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt in 1610 to guard the bay from any sea-borne attacks, it was the first of a series of coastal towers. From 1610-49, Wignacourt Tower was Malta's northernmost defensive outpost until St Agatha's Tower (the Red Tower) was built in Mellieha. 4yrs after it was built, a strong attack by Turkish fleets was launched.
Fra Alof de Wignacourt (1547 -- 1622) was Grandmaster of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John from 1601 to 1622. He was of the langue of France.
His reign was notable for the construction of a number of coastal fortifications (the Wignacourt Towers) and of the aqueduct that brought water from the plateau above Rabat to Valletta.
Wignacourt Tower History (PDF file):
written by Stanley Farrugia Randon
Photos and video clips by Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech. Video by Alfred & Jasmine Grech. We thank Paul Camilleri of Gozo for giving us the photos of the wedding.
Please share the link with friends. Thanks for watching.
jasalf5959 Youtube Channel
Wignacourt Fountain (1615).
400 year old Wignacourt Fountain going to ruins
The historic Wignacourt Fountain at St Philip Garden in Floriana, originally located at Palace Square, Valletta, was the first fountain erected after the building of the Wignacourt aqueduct; it was inaugurated during Eastertide, on April 21, 1615. This beautiful and historic fountain was moved by the British military to St Philip Gardens so the Palace Square could be used for military parades.
The Wignacourt Fountain features a large circular basin with three superimposed seashells - like shaped basins, each one smaller than the one below it, supported on a cone-shaped pedestal with four dolphins with upturned tails, or rather what is still left of them. The total neglect is evident by the presence of a number of Cypress saplings 'nursed' inside the lower sea shell -like basin
Regrettably, while MEPA had scheduled the Wignacourt fountain as a Grade 1 national monument in 2008, evidently, it has been neglected and left in a pitiful state, to be defaced by corrosion and eventually crumble.
A similar fate is shared by the other historic Wignacourt Tower fountain, opposite Sarria Church, Floriana.
Restoration works are urgently needed to save these historic fountains from further damage before it is too late.
Joe Morana
5 December 2011
Wignacourt Fountain (1615) III.AVI (with music)
400 year old Wignacourt Fountain going to ruins
The historic Wignacourt Fountain at St Philip Garden in Floriana, originally located on Palace Square, Valletta, was the first fountain erected after the building of the Wignacourt aqueduct; it was inaugurated during Eastertide, on April 21, 1615. This beautiful and historic fountain was moved by the British military to St Philip Gardens so the Palace Square could be used for military parades.
The Wignacourt Fountain features a large circular basin with three superimposed seashells - like shaped basins, each one smaller than the one below it, supported on a cone-shaped pedestal with four dolphins with upturned tails, or rather what is still left of them. The total neglect is evident by the presence of a number of Cypress saplings 'nursed' inside the lower sea shell -like basin
Regrettably, while MEPA had scheduled the Wignacourt fountain as a Grade 1 national monument in 2008, evidently, it has been neglected and left in a pitiful state, to be defaced by corrosion and eventually crumble.
A similar fate is shared by the other historic Wignacourt Tower fountain, opposite Sarria Church, Floriana.
Restoration works are urgently needed to save these historic fountains from further damage before it is too late.
Joe Morana
5 December 2011
Hamrun to Santa Venera, July 2018
Walking from Hamrun to Santa Venera along St. Joseph High Street on a hot Sunday afternoon, visiting a number of interesting locations on the way.
We pass through the hill of Atocia, in the area behind St. Gaetan Parish Church, and stop to admire the old church known as Tas-Samra (1630) [1:45]. An artillery battery was built on this hill, in front if the church, to keep watch over Valletta during the French blockade of 1798-1800. Two cannon used during the uprising have been placed in front of Tas-Samra church. We also walk along St. Gaetan Street and in front of the second of three water inspection towers linked to the aqueduct built by Grand Master Wignacourt in the 17th century [2:25]. We pass by the first of these towers in Santa Venera later on in this walk [5:11] (the third tower is in Floriana, directly in front of Sarria Church). We also visit a number of other churches in Hamrun and Santa Venera and enter Romeo Romano Gardens [7:05], that are like a small oasis in the hustle and bustle of this heavily built-up area. Back in Hamrun we walk along Old Railway Street and peep at the former train station inside what is today the Hamrun Scouts headquarters [10:03].
Music played by the Orchestra of Radio Luxembourg - Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54, Third Movement, Allegro vivace.
The Aquaduct
Irrigation aquaduct across valley in Malta
Works in progress on the historic Wignacourt Fountain.(1615)AVI
It is very encouraging to note the works - in - progress on the 400 year old Wignacourt Fountain (1615) following my earlier appeals to the Authories to intervene and save this historic fountain from going to ruins.
The historic Wignacourt Fountain at St Philip Garden in Floriana, originally located on Palace Square, Valletta, was the first fountain erected after the building of the Wignacourt aqueduct; it was inaugurated during Eastertide, on April 21, 1615. This beautiful and historic fountain was moved by the British military to St Philip Gardens so the Palace Square could be used for military parades.
The Wignacourt Fountain features a large circular basin with three superimposed seashells - like shaped basins, each one smaller than the one below it, supported on a cone-shaped pedestal with four dolphins with upturned tails, or rather what is still left of them.
Looking forward to see the necessary approriate restoration works completed
Well done to all concerned
11 April 2012
History of Malta under the Order of Saint John | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
History of Malta under the Order of Saint John
00:01:27 1 Sixteenth century
00:01:37 1.1 Early years
00:03:59 1.2 Great Siege and aftermath
00:08:40 2 Seventeenth century
00:08:50 2.1 Main projects
00:11:25 2.2 Colonization
00:12:07 3 Eighteenth century
00:12:17 3.1 Beginning of the century to Pinto's reign
00:14:15 3.2 Decline
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
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Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
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The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta was ruled by the Order of Saint John as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Sicily from 1530 to 1798. The islands of Malta and Gozo, as well as the city of Tripoli in modern Libya, were granted to the Order by Spanish Emperor Charles V in 1530, following the loss of Rhodes. The Ottoman Empire managed to capture Tripoli from the Order in 1551, but an attempt to take Malta in 1565 failed.
Following the 1565 siege, the Order decided to settle permanently in Malta, and began to construct a new capital city, Valletta. For the next two centuries, Malta went through a Golden Age, characterized by a flourishing of the arts, architecture, and an overall improvement in Maltese society. In the mid-17th century, the Order was the de jure proprietor over some islands in the Caribbean, making it the smallest state to colonize the Americas..
The Order began to decline in the 1770s, and was severely weakened by the French Revolution in 1792. In 1798, French forces under Napoleon invaded Malta and expelled the Order, resulting in the French occupation of Malta. The Maltese eventually rebelled against the French, and the islands became a British protectorate in 1800. Malta was to be returned to the Order by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, but the British remained in control and the islands formally became a British colony by the Treaty of Paris in 1814.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
00:02:57 1 Etymology
00:04:03 2 History
00:07:17 2.1 Prehistory
00:10:22 2.2 Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans
00:14:45 2.3 Arab period and the Middle Ages
00:16:13 2.4 Norman conquest
00:18:26 2.5 Crown of Aragon rule and the Knights of Malta
00:21:57 2.6 French period
00:24:45 2.7 British Empire and the Second World War
00:27:20 2.8 Independence and Republic
00:29:22 3 Politics
00:32:10 3.1 Administrative divisions
00:34:03 3.2 Military
00:35:25 4 Geography
00:37:07 4.1 Climate
00:40:00 4.2 Urbanisation
00:41:12 5 Economy
00:45:28 5.1 Banking and finance
00:46:27 5.2 Transport
00:53:03 5.3 Communications
00:54:59 5.4 Currency
00:55:55 5.5 Tourism
00:56:51 5.6 Science and technology
00:57:36 6 Demographics
01:02:46 6.1 Languages
01:05:13 6.2 Religion
01:12:33 6.3 Migration
01:12:42 6.3.1 Inbound migration
01:14:06 6.3.2 Outbound migration
01:15:43 6.4 Education
01:18:52 6.5 Healthcare
01:20:53 7 Culture
01:21:20 7.1 Music
01:21:56 7.2 Literature
01:22:38 7.3 Art and architecture
01:28:30 7.4 Cuisine
01:29:09 7.5 Customs
01:30:38 7.6 Traditions
01:34:41 7.7 Festivals
01:39:06 7.8 Media
01:41:59 7.9 Holidays
01:42:08 7.10 Sport
01:42:28 8 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. With a population of about 475,000 over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi), Malta is the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely-populated country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
00:02:57 1 Etymology
00:04:03 2 History
00:07:17 2.1 Prehistory
00:10:22 2.2 Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans
00:14:45 2.3 Arab period and the Middle Ages
00:16:13 2.4 Norman conquest
00:18:26 2.5 Crown of Aragon rule and the Knights of Malta
00:21:57 2.6 French period
00:24:45 2.7 British Empire and the Second World War
00:27:20 2.8 Independence and Republic
00:29:22 3 Politics
00:32:10 3.1 Administrative divisions
00:34:03 3.2 Military
00:35:25 4 Geography
00:37:07 4.1 Climate
00:40:00 4.2 Urbanisation
00:41:12 5 Economy
00:45:28 5.1 Banking and finance
00:46:27 5.2 Transport
00:53:03 5.3 Communications
00:54:59 5.4 Currency
00:55:55 5.5 Tourism
00:56:51 5.6 Science and technology
00:57:36 6 Demographics
01:02:46 6.1 Languages
01:05:13 6.2 Religion
01:12:33 6.3 Migration
01:12:42 6.3.1 Inbound migration
01:14:06 6.3.2 Outbound migration
01:15:43 6.4 Education
01:18:52 6.5 Healthcare
01:20:53 7 Culture
01:21:20 7.1 Music
01:21:56 7.2 Literature
01:22:38 7.3 Art and architecture
01:28:30 7.4 Cuisine
01:29:09 7.5 Customs
01:30:38 7.6 Traditions
01:34:41 7.7 Festivals
01:39:06 7.8 Media
01:41:59 7.9 Holidays
01:42:08 7.10 Sport
01:42:28 8 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. With a population of about 475,000 over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi), Malta is the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely-populated country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries, at over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) with a population of about 475,000. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 Its largest town is Birkirkara, while its chief economic centre is Sliema. The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a critical way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
Malta | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Malta
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Malta (, (listen); Maltese: [ˈmɐltɐ]), officially known as the Republic of Malta (Maltese: Repubblika ta' Malta), is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries, at over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) with a population of about 475,000. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km.2 Its largest town is Birkirkara, while its chief economic centre is Sliema. The official languages are Maltese and English, with Maltese officially recognised as the national language and the only Semitic language in the European Union.
Malta has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a critical way station for ships and the headquarters for the British Mediterranean Fleet. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during the Second World War, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross for its bravery in the face of an Axis siege, and the George Cross appears on Malta's national flag. The British Parliament passed the Malta Independence Act in 1964, giving Malta independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and queen. The country became a republic in 1974. It has been a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations since independence, and joined the European Union in 2004; it became part of the eurozone monetary union in 2008.
Malta has a long Christian legacy and its Archdiocese is claimed to be an apostolic see because Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Melita, according to Acts of the Apostles, which is now widely taken to be Malta. Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. Article 40 of the Constitution states that all persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.