15 Facts About Gozo

Gozo, Maltese: Ghawdex and in antiquity known as Gaulos, is an island in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea.

Gozo is known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms.

Gozo is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Mediterranean and a centre for water sports.

Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC, when farmers from nearby Sicily crossed the sea to the island.

Gozo was an important place for cultural evolution, and during the Neolithic period the Ggantija temples were built; they are amongst the world's oldest free-standing structures, as well as the world's oldest religious structures.

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Also, native tradition and certain ancient Greek historians maintain that Gozo is the island Homer described as Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso.

Gozo was occupied by the Carthaginians, who built a temple to Astarte on the islands.

The island of Gozo was repopulated between 1565 and 1580 by mainland Maltese, undertaken by the Knights of Malta.

Gozo then enjoyed a short period of autonomy until the French garrison in Valletta surrendered on 4 September 1800.

On that day both Malta and Gozo became a British Protectorate before becoming a Crown colony in 1813.

An airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft on Gozo was proposed in the 1990s, but rejected for environmental reasons.

The open top bus tour of Gozo starts from the harbour of Mgarr and there are stops located along the route.

Gozo covers 67 square kilometres, approximately the same area as New York City's Manhattan island.

Gozo is particularly known for its local cheeselet, gbejna t'Ghawdex.

Gozo was the location for Calypso's island in the 1997 Hallmark miniseries The Odyssey based on Homer's epic poem.