Gozo

For the administrative region, see Gozo Region. For the island's short lived independence, see Gozo (independent state).

Gozo
Native name:
Għawdex
Nickname: Il-Gżira tat-tliet għoljiet / Isle of Calypso
Satellite view of Gozo and adjacent Comino
Map of Maltese islands highlighting Gozo
Geography
Locationsouth of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea
Coordinates36°03′N 14°15′E / 36.050°N 14.250°E / 36.050; 14.250
ArchipelagoMaltese islands
Area67 km2 (26 sq mi)
Length13.34 km (8.289 mi)
Width7.15 km (4.443 mi)
Administration
Malta
Largest settlementVictoria[a] (pop. 7,242[1])
Minister for GozoClint Camilleri (PL)
Demographics
DemonymGozitans
PopulationIncrease 39,287[1] (2021)
Pop. density557/km2 (1443/sq mi)
LanguagesMaltese (National/Official), English (Official)
Ethnic groupsMaltese people

Gozo (/ˈɡoʊzoʊ/,[2] US also /ˈɡɔːdzoʊ, ˈɡɔːtsoʊ/;[3] Maltese: Għawdex, Maltese: [ˈɐːˤʊ̯dɛʃ]),[4] in antiquity known as Gaulos (Punic: 𐤂‬𐤅‬𐤋, romanized: GWL;[5] Ancient Greek: Γαῦλος[6], romanized: Gaúlos),[7][8] is an island in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Republic of Malta. After the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago.[9]

As of 2021, the island has a population of around 31,232 (out of Malta's total 443,227),[10] and its inhabitants are known as Gozitans (Maltese: Għawdxin). It is rich in historic locations such as the Ġgantija temples, which, along with the other Megalithic Temples of Malta, are amongst the world's oldest free-standing structures.[11]

The island is rural in character and less developed than the island of Malta. Gozo is known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms.[12] The Azure Window in Dwejra, San Lawrenz, a natural limestone arch, was a remarkable geological feature until its collapse on March 8, 2017. The island has other notable natural features, including the Inland Sea and Wied il-Mielaħ Window. There are a few sandy beaches on the island, namely Ramla Bay in Xagħra and Nadur, as well as seaside resorts that are popular with both locals and tourists, the most popular being Marsalforn and Xlendi. Gozo is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Mediterranean and a centre for water sports.[13]


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  1. ^ a b "Population". Census of Population and Housing 2021: Final Report: Population, Migration and Other Social Characteristics (PDF). Vol. 1. Valletta: National Statistics Office. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Gozo" (US) and "Gozo". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Gozo". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  4. ^ Grenville Temple (1836). "Excursions in the Mediterranean". p. 200.
  5. ^ Huss (1985), p. 565.
  6. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, §G200.3
  7. ^ Gaulos (island) – pleiades.stoa.org
  8. ^ Gaulos (Gozo) Archived 25 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine – trismegistos.org
  9. ^ "Gozo" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 305.
  10. ^ "Gozo with highest share of elderly population, regional stats show". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Ġgantija Temples". Heritage Malta. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Coat of Arms of the Island Region of Gozo". VisitGozo.com. October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Where is Gozo?". Gozo & Malta. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.