Of Schemes and Memes Blog

Mapping Science: Malta

We continue our series of maps with this guide to the scientific highlights of Malta. The Mediterranean islands are not usually regarded as a hotbed of science but, as the map suggests, the archipelago has plenty to offer – from research labs to natural reserves.


View Science in Malta in a larger map

The map was created by sisters Ann and Cecilia Fenech, who are from Malta. Most facilities (libraries, dark blue; councils, light blue; universities and research institutes,turquoise; and museums, red) are concentrated around the capital city Valletta, on the east coast. As you move further out, laboratories and biotech companies (yellow) proliferate. The north and west of the islands are the least populated, and this is where most of the nature reserves (purple) are located.

As Ann notes, the most famous scientist from Malta is probably Sir Themistocles Zammit, who discovered the source of undulant fever (Brucellosis) as unpasteurised milk. “As regards science in Malta,” she says, “the country mainly needs to rely on human resources (not much in the way of natural resources) [and] there is a lot being done to attract companies with favourable legislation. [Malta] also makes use of the sea so there is quite a lot of aquaculture/fish farming going on (the Malta Fisheries Centre is marked on the map). There are also a number of research groups making a name for themselves such as the Auxetic group at the university of Malta.”

Our thanks to Ann and Cecilia for putting the map together. As with all of these maps, this initial posting serves as a starting point rather than a fait accompli. We welcome additions (and any scientific trivia concerning Malta) in the comments.

If you’d like to put together a map of science in your own city or region, please contact Matt Brown (i.am.mattbrown – at – gmail.com) for assistance.

Previous maps

London

Münster

San Francisco

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