SEMIDE Système Euro-Méditerranéen d'Information sur les savoir-faire dans le Domaine de l'Eau

Malta Focal Point
 Last update: September, 2007

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Maltese place names that are associated with water resources

The Maltese inhabitants have historically and traditionally recognized the importance of water. Several place names have been named after water sources that exist on the Islands. Most of these words have been derived from the Semitic languages and are very old, whilst others have Latin origins. Below are the definitions of the most common words that are associated with water.

Word

  Definition
Bahrija   Bahrija is derived from the word baharija, an Arabic word meaning oasis. It is located to the northern part of Rabat.
Bir   "Bir" refers to a well. Places like Birzebbuga, Bir Miftuh, Bir id-Deheb all use this word.
Fontana   Literally meaning "fountain." This is of Latin origins.
Ghadira   Literally means 'Lake'. However the Maltese Islands do not have any natural lakes and thus this place name  can either signify a small pool like those of which are found at Ghallis (Ghadira s-Safra) and Kercem (Ghadira tas-Sarraflu) or a bay as that of Ghadira found at Mellieha.
Ghajn   The word "ghajn" refers to a source of water that could be easily accessed by people. Historically "ghajn" were communal water sources whereby people used to abstract water for consumption purposes. Several place names across the Maltese Islands have this word in their names. e.g. Wied ll-Ghajn, Ghajn Tuffieha, Ghajnsielem
Ilma   Meaning literally "water". Ghar Ilma is found near Victoria and Kercem in Gozo.
Marsa   "Marsa" means port. Various place names in the Maltese Islands have Marsa as part of their name generally followed by a direction of the wind rose indicating the location of the port e.g. Marsaxlokk, Marsascala, Marsalforn
Misqa   Misqa means "Watering place". Again it is of Arabic origin.
Qattara "Qattara" comes from the word Qatra meaning a drop. Several areas on the islands are named Il-Qattara or just Qattara. One of the few existing permanent fresh water pools known as il-Qattara can be found in the San Lawrenz area.