Msida or Imsida (English: Misida), is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 (November 2005 (7 years ago)). The town is located just North of Valletta in the east coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters. The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, San Gwann, Birkirkara, Santa Venera, Hamrun and Pietà. Msida is an important City for all travellers; In fact 55% of the Bus Routes pass through Msida. The patron saint of Msida is Saint Joseph while the protector is The Holy Conception. For a week and a half in July, the town celebrates the feast of St. Joseph. The feast of Msida is also famous for its traditional game “Il-Gostra”. Although relatively small, Msida is one of the most important and beautiful towns in Malta. History Its name comes from an Arabic word meaning "a fisherman's dwelling". However it could also be derived from the word 'Omm Sidna' meaning 'The Mother of Our Lord' since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Msida was previously an old fishing village. Although it is now more urbanised, some fishermen still operate in the village. Msida became a parish in 1867 (145 years ago). Then the settlement was centered around the hovels located inward at Valley Road, and some nearby ancillary roads and pathways which led up to the quaint district of Villambrosa. This status did not last long however, as a new parish Ħamrun was hived off in 1881 (131 years ago). Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remains a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at Santa Venera in 1918 (94 years ago), Pietà in 1968 (44 years ago) and Ta' Xbiex in 1969 (43 years ago). Its population, which at one time numbered 11,500, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However the recent aforementioned demands as well as residential developments in the outlying suburb of Swatar, have now seen an increase to more than 7600 inhabitants. Swatar also hosts St. Martin's College, a private secondary school. Today, Msida is now a bustling university town and development has in fact been centered around an ever increasing student population at the University as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years. Geography The lower part of Msida lies at the outlet of a valley and is a fulcrum for heavy traffic going to Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara and Mater Dei Hospital. When it rains, water rushes down towards the sea from surrounding cities at higher levels and often causes floods, bringing traffic to a halt in the area opposite the Parish Church dedicated to St. Joseph. Msida also hosts an old rock hewn chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a rarity of its kind. Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town centre and surrounding areas which were located below sea-level were all reclaimed from the sea, after World War II. A new project which intends to catch more surface rainwater running should also considerably remedy a perennial flooding problem which affects this area as well as nearby towns.

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