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KNOWLEDGEBASE
Topics and subtopics
Types of Environments
Parks & Nature Reserves
Chronology
Archaeological Sites
Marine Protected Areas
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Chronology of the Maltese Islands
Geological Formation (35–5 million years ago)
- Miocene Period, African and Eurasian plates collided. Upper and Lower Coralline, Globigerina were deposited. Formed islands.
Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million – 11,700 years ago)
- Sea levels fluctuated, Ice Age fauna, No human habitation.
Early Holocene & First Human Settlement (ca. 5200 BCE)
- First human settlers, deforestation and agriculture, Erosion begins.
Temple Period (ca. 3600–2500 BCE)
- Megalithic temples, agriculture, population, soil degradation, animals decline.
Bronze Age to Classical Antiquity (2500 BCE–500 CE)
- Fortified hilltop settlements deforestation, soil erosion, Carthaginians, Romans, vines, olives, irrigation, terracing, quarrying.
- Arab rule, qanats, water wheels, citrus, cotton, almonds deforestation, soil erosion, sustainable farming.
Knights of St. John (1530–1798)
- Urbanization, fortifications, forest reduction, exotic plants, marine environment.
- Military, infrastructure, urbanization, population, quarryiong, habitat decline.
Post-Independence to Present (1964–2025)
- Rapid urbanization, tourism, construction, agriculture, pollution, environmental issues, regulations, conservation.
Topics and subtopics
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Physical Geography
- Karst topography
- Sinkholes
- Escarpment
- Sediment hydrology
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Climate & Hydrology
- Rainfall patterns
- Aquifers
- Desalination
- Seasonal variability
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Terrestrial Habitats
- Garigue
- Maquis
- Steppe
- Wetlands
- Dunes
- Forest remnants
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Biodiversity
- Endemic and migratory flora & fauna
- Marine life
- Species threats
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Conservation
- Protected areas
- Key legislation
- Authorities
- Marine & land reserves
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Environmental Issues
- Soil
- Waste
- Urban sprawl
- Agriculture
- Water
- Climate resilience
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Community Action
- NGO activities
- Education
- Clean‑ups
- Citizen engagement
Types of Environments
- Marine Environment – Oceans, seas, and saltwater habitats.
- Terrestrial Environment – Land-based habitats such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and mountains.
- Aerial (or Atmospheric) Environment – Air and the spaces above the surface of the earth where birds, insects, and aircraft operate.
- Freshwater Environment – Rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands with non-saline water.
- Estuarine Environment – Where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, such as estuaries and tidal zones.
- Urban Environment – Cities and towns with human-made structures and high population densities.
- Subterranean Environment – Underground habitats like caves, mines, and burrows.
- Hill Environment – Uplands of moderate elevation, characterized by rolling terrain and gentle slopes.
- Coastal Environment – Areas where land meets the sea, including beaches, cliffs, and tidal zones.
- Islet or Island Environment – Isolated landmasses surrounded by water, often with unique ecosystems and species adaptations.
Marine Protected Areas
- Protected Area around Comino and Blue Lagoon — Marine protected zone popular for diving and snorkeling.
- Xrobb l-Għaġin Coastal Protected Area — Focus on marine conservation and habitats.
Parks & Nature Reserves
- Buskett Gardens (Malta) — One of the few woodland areas on Malta, rich in biodiversity.
- Għadira Nature Reserve (Mellieħa, Malta) — Important wetland area and bird sanctuary.
- Is-Simar Nature Reserve (Gozo) — Coastal wetland with unique flora and fauna.
- Dingli Cliffs Nature Reserve (Malta) — Stunning coastal cliffs with protected habitats.
- Salina Nature Reserve (Malta) — Salt pans and wetland supporting migratory birds.
- Majjistral Nature and History Park (Northwest Malta) — Largest protected area with diverse habitats and archaeological remains.
- Il-Maqluba Nature Reserve (Malta) — A natural sinkhole with rare vegetation.
- Ta' Ċenċ Cliffs (Gozo) — Important geological and ecological site.
Archaeological Sites
- Ħaġar Qim Temples (Malta) — Megalithic temples dating back to circa 3600–3200 BC.
- Mnajdra Temples (Malta) — Nearby Ħaġar Qim, notable for their astronomical alignments.
- Tarxien Temples (Malta) — Complex of prehistoric temples with intricate carvings.
- Ggantija Temples (Gozo) — Among the oldest free-standing structures in the world, UNESCO World Heritage.
- Skorba Temples (Malta) — Early neolithic temple site.
- Mdina — The old fortified city, rich with medieval architecture and archaeological remains.
- Dingli Cliffs Prehistoric Site — Archaeological evidence of early human activity.
- Cart Ruts — Mysterious parallel tracks found in multiple locations across Malta and Gozo, of uncertain origin.