Victoria, Malta
Victoria (Maltese: Il-Belt Victoria, meaning "the city Victoria"), also known among the native Maltese as Rabat (which is the name of the old town centre) or by its title Città Victoria, is an administrative unit of Malta, and the main town on Gozo. Victoria has a total population of 6,901 (as of March 2014), and by population, is the largest locality in Gozo.
Victoria
Il-Belt Victoria Città Victoria, Ir-Rabat, Għawdex | |
|---|---|
Town and Local council | |
View of Victoria | |
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Flag | |
| Motto(s): A Magna Maxima (From Great, Supreme) | |
Victoria Victoria | |
| Coordinates: 36°2′37″N 14°14′35″E | |
| Country | Malta |
| Region | Gozo Region |
| District | Gozo and Comino District |
| Borders | Fontana, Għasri, Kerċem, Xagħra, Xewkija, Żebbuġ |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Josef Schembri (PN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.9 km2 (1.1 sq mi) |
| Population (March 2014) | |
| • Total | 6,901 |
| • Density | 2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Rabti t'Għawdex (m), Rabtija t'Għawdex (f), Rabtin t'Għawdex (pl) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | VCT |
| Dialing code | 356 |
| ISO 3166 code | MT-45 |
| Patron saint | St. George St. Mary |
| Day of festa | 3rd Sunday of July (St. George) 15 August (St. Mary) |
| Website | Official website |
The area around the town, situated on a hill near the centre of the island, has been settled since Neolithic times. Victoria is the name given on 10 June 1887 by the British government on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, at the request of Pietro Monsignor Pace, Bishop of Gozo (Monsignor Pace later became Sir Pietro Monsignor Pace, Titular Archbishop of Rhodes and Bishop of Malta). However, many Gozitans, mainly older Gozitans, still often refer to it by the name Rabat. It is usually known as Rabat, Gozo to distinguish it from the town of Rabat on the main island of Malta.