Gozo, meaning joy in Castilian, is the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago, with a population of approximately 30,000. Though separated from mainland Malta by a 5km stretch of sea, Gozo is distinctly different from Malta. The Island is a third the size of Malta, more rural and simple, its culture and way of life rooted in fishing and agricultural activity. Gozo and its inhabitants have their own distinct character and identity, with noticeably different lifestyles, accents and dialect. Gozitans are known for their friendliness, going out of their way to indicate a direction or help visitors find their destination.
