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Brief Summary About Gozo

Gozo, which in Maltese is called Ghawdex, has an area of 67 square kms. With a coastline of 43 km, it is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago - the Republic of Malta. Gozo is popularly called “the Island of Calypso”, originating from the Greek mythological location of Ogygia referred to in Homer's Odyssey. Gozo has been vastly influenced by the cultures and history of a series of rulers or “colonizers” (including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, the Knights of St. John, the French and the British) who all left their mark on its heritage.

The Maltese Islands are situated in the centre of the Mediterranean - 93 km south of Italy and 290 km north of North Africa. Gozo lies about 5 km to the North West of the island of Malta (with Comino in between) and enjoys warm summers and mild winters, making it the ideal holiday destination at any time of the year. In comparison with mainland Malta, one finds a more varied geology and larger relief contrasts, with typical flat-topped hills. Over 31000 people inhabit the island: one-twelfth of the overall population. Since Gozo covers approximately one-third of the total area, it is not overpopulated - greener and more peaceful. Gozo forms one of the thirteen electoral districts and is divided into fourteen local councils (including that for the city of Victoria, the capital).

The national language is Maltese, dialectically differing slightly from one village to another. It is basically Semitic, with strong Romance elements. English is an official language too. Malta is predominantly Roman Catholic - Gozo is a separate Diocese. The village parish church is evidently the nucleus of local life and there is an impressive number of churches and chapels scattered around the island (one for every week!). From 1st January 2008, Malta’s currency is the Euro but, after a long period using sterling, we previously had the Maltese lira.

3^rd SEP 09: Gozo Philatelic Society's 10th anniversary: special handstamp and cover (both designed by Anthony Grech)

5^th SEP 09: Resumption of Members' Meetings on first Sunday of each month at Victoria Scouts (Triq Santa Dminka) 9-11am

13^th-21^st NOV 09: 10th GPS Philatelic Exhibition at St Francis Square Halls

11^th JAN 09: 9th AGM (including Exhibition Prize-giving)

11^th FEB 09: Anthony Grech produces card for Gozo Tourism Association handstamp

1^st APR 09: Anthony Grech produces set of two cards for Don Bosco Oratory handstamp

28^th APR 09: Anthony Grech produces cover for Gozo mailboat stamp

6^th MAY 09: Anthony Grech produces cover for Gorg Pisani handstamp (which he himself designed) issued on the initiative of the GPS

23^rd MAY 09: GPS Participation in Lejlet Lapsi weekend though an exhibition of our special covers in the foyer of Sir Arturo Mercieca School

3^rd JULY 09: Delegation from Maltapost meets GPS committee to begin discussing cooperation

8^th JULY 09: Anthony Grech again starts stampcollecting sessions at the Don Bosco Summer Club

15^th JULY 09: Anthony Grech produces cover for Xlendi liner stamp

AUG 09: Special 10th anniversary number (#37) of the GPS Newsletter