Discover Heritage of Eco Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea situated in 36.0500° N, 14.2500° E. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago. Compared to its south-eastern neighbor, Gozo is more rural and known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms.
The island of Gozo has long been associated with Ogygia the island home of the nymph Calypso in Homer‘s Odyssey. Calypso, possessed of great supernatural powers, holds Odysseus captive for a number of years because of her love for him before releasing him to continue his journey home
The island itself has a population of around 31,000 people (all of Malta combined has 402,000), and its inhabitants are known as Gozitans (Maltese: Għawdxin). It is mystic and rich in sacred locations such as the Ġgantija
temples which, along with the Megalithic Temples of Malta, are the world’s oldest free-standing structures and older than the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Gozo is a tiny pristine tranquil haven enjoying harmony where one can have a unique experience by charmness and sacredness of this distinctive island known as the small diamond in the Mediterranean. Living it up in Gozo gives you a lifestyle where you can enjoy pleasurly walks in the very quiet villages in their streets, green hills and picturesque valleys with the mixture of crystal waters, blue coves and lagoons almost all year round. You will enjoy the feeling of going back in time.
Country Area : 67km2
Time : GMT + 1Hour
Country Code : 00 356
Language : Maltese native language (Semitic) and English/ Italian widely spoken.
Currency : Euro
Driving : Maltese drivers drive on the left. The extra urban speed limit is 60 km/h and in towns it is 35 km/h.
GETTING TO GOZO
By Airplane
You will arrive in Luqa, the Malta International Airport. http://www.maltairport.com/en/home.htm
Bus or taxi
One hour (by bus or taxi) to get from the airport to Cirkewwa Harbour, at the northern most point of Malta.
By Ferry
By ferry it will take 25-minutes picturesque crossing to Mġarr Harbour, gateway to Gozo. The regular ferry service carries passengers and cars. http://www.gozochannel.com/
ECO GOZO
Towards a Sustainable Future
EcoGozo is a vision for an island to become even more beautiful, inspiring, welcoming, thriving, inclusive and successful. We want our island to be a healthy and successful place to live in – in equilibrium with biodiversity and the environment.
This is what Government, supported by the people of Gozo, is seeking to achieve through the eco-island vision. The Ministry for Gozo strives to enhance the island’s Economic, Social and Cultural development for the benefit of the Gozitan population, while safeguarding all that renders Gozo unique.
EcoGozo projects were undertaken by the Ministry for Gozo itself, Local Councils, Administrative Committees and NGOs in Gozo related to different sectors, namely the Economy, the Social dimension, the Environment and Cultural Identity. The projects range from water conservation projects, afforestation, public gardens and landscaping, the generation of renewable energy, the conservation and exhibition of Gozo’s unique cultural heritage, initiatives promoting Gozo’s niche tourism sectors, new projects aiming at increasing quality jobs in Gozo and social projects. The accompanying artworks show a summary of the above mentioned projects while also list a number of priorities which the new Government is focusing upon.
For further information regarding the ecoGozo vision and its related projects, please visit www.ecogozo.com or join us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/ecogozo.
From the outset, every immortal’s eyes would have been charmed and his heart ravished by those places in Gozo – Homer’s Odessey