Filfla
Encyclopedia
Filfla is a small, barren, uninhabited islet
5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Malta
, and is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. Filfoletta, a small rocky islet some 100 meters southwest of Filfla, has the southernmost point of Malta.
The name is believed to come from filfel, the Arabic
for a peppercorn
.
Filfla has an area of just 6 hectares (14.8 acre) and is a crumbling flat-topped limestone
plateau surrounded by 60 metre high cliffs. The only known permanent structure on it was a chapel
built inside a cave in 1343, which was destroyed by an earthquake
in 1856 that also sank part of the island.
Until 1971 the Royal Navy
and Royal Air Force
used the island for target practice. It became a bird reserve in 1980. Three species of sea birds breed on the islet: the European Storm Petrel (c.5,000 pairs), Cory's Shearwater
(c.200 pairs) and Yellow-legged Gull
(c.130pairs). A type of wall lizard
(Podarcis filfolensis ssp. filfolensis) and door snail (Lampedusa imitatrix gattoi) are endemic to Filfla. A large wild leek, growing up to 2 m high, also occurs.
The Filfla Natural Reserve Act, enacted in 1988, provided for further restrictions on access and use, including a prohibition on fishing within a nautical mile (1.9 km) around the island due to the possibility of encountering unexploded ordnance. Access to Filfla is only possible for educational or scientific purposes and visitors must get prior permission from the Ministry responsible for the environment.
On the Maltese coast opposite Filfla are the archeological sites of Hagar Qim
and Mnajdra
, the Hamrija Tower
(one of 13 watchtowers that Martin de Redin
built around the coast of Malta), and a memorial to Walter Norris Congreve
, one of Malta's British governors-general
, who was buried at sea in the channel between the island and Malta.
Islet
An islet is a very small island.- Types :As suggested by its origin as islette, an Old French diminutive of "isle", use of the term implies small size, but little attention is given to drawing an upper limit on its applicability....
5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, and is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. Filfoletta, a small rocky islet some 100 meters southwest of Filfla, has the southernmost point of Malta.
The name is believed to come from filfel, the Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
for a peppercorn
Black pepper
Black pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The fruit, known as a peppercorn when dried, is approximately in diameter, dark red when fully mature, and, like all drupes, contains a single seed...
.
Filfla has an area of just 6 hectares (14.8 acre) and is a crumbling flat-topped limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
plateau surrounded by 60 metre high cliffs. The only known permanent structure on it was a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
built inside a cave in 1343, which was destroyed by an earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
in 1856 that also sank part of the island.
Until 1971 the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
used the island for target practice. It became a bird reserve in 1980. Three species of sea birds breed on the islet: the European Storm Petrel (c.5,000 pairs), Cory's Shearwater
Cory's Shearwater
The Cory's Shearwater is a large shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae.This species breeds on islands and cliffs in the Mediterranean, with the odd outpost on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. The nest is on open ground or among rocks or less often in a burrow where one white egg is laid,...
(c.200 pairs) and Yellow-legged Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
The Yellow-legged Gull , sometimes referred to as Western Yellow-legged Gull , is a large gull of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, which has only recently achieved wide recognition as a distinct species...
(c.130pairs). A type of wall lizard
Wall lizard
The common wall lizard is a species of lizard with a large distribution in Europe and well-established introduced populations in North America, where it is also called the European wall lizard. It can grow to about in total length.-Identification:The common wall lizard is a small, thin lizard...
(Podarcis filfolensis ssp. filfolensis) and door snail (Lampedusa imitatrix gattoi) are endemic to Filfla. A large wild leek, growing up to 2 m high, also occurs.
The Filfla Natural Reserve Act, enacted in 1988, provided for further restrictions on access and use, including a prohibition on fishing within a nautical mile (1.9 km) around the island due to the possibility of encountering unexploded ordnance. Access to Filfla is only possible for educational or scientific purposes and visitors must get prior permission from the Ministry responsible for the environment.
On the Maltese coast opposite Filfla are the archeological sites of Hagar Qim
Hagar Qim
Ħaġar Qim is a megalithic temple complex found on the Mediterranean island of Malta, dating from the Ġgantija phase . The Megalithic Temples of Malta are amongst the most ancient religious sites on Earth, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces." In...
and Mnajdra
Mnajdra
Mnajdra is a megalithic temple complex found on the southern coast of the Mediterranean island of Malta. Mnajdra is approximately 500 metres from the Ħaġar Qim megalithic complex...
, the Hamrija Tower
Hamrija Tower
Ħamrija Tower is a fortification that the Knights of Malta built on the island of Malta . It is a watchtower, one of 13 such towers that Grand Master Martin de Redin ordered built. The tower was constructed in 1659 as the 12th tower in the series of de Redin towers and the last on Malta's South...
(one of 13 watchtowers that Martin de Redin
Martin de Redin
Fra' Martin de Redin was a Spanish military and politician, and the 58th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta.He became Grand Prior of the Order of Malta of Navarra in 1641, and Viceroy of Sicily in 1656....
built around the coast of Malta), and a memorial to Walter Norris Congreve
Walter Norris Congreve
General Sir Walter Norris Congreve VC KCB MVO DL was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, one of Malta's British governors-general
Governor-General of Malta
-Governors of Malta, 1813-1964:*Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Maitland *General Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings *Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby *Lieut.-General Sir Patrick Stuart *Right Honourable Richard More O'Ferrall -Governors of Malta, 1813-1964:*Lieut.-General...
, who was buried at sea in the channel between the island and Malta.
See also
- Endemic Maltese wildlifeEndemic Maltese wildlifeAn endemic organism is said to be found only in certain areas of the world. This makes the organism in some cases endangered.The Maltese Islands, although small in area , host a large number of endemic species, some of which are unique and unusual...