Valet'ta, the capital of the island of Malta, situated on the northeast coast of the island, on an elevated neck of land, which commands a commodious harbor on each side of the town. It is an important military point and is strongly fortified. The streets are wide and well paved. The city contains a number of beautiful squares, and upon the wharves are some excellent buildings. The most important buildings are the governor's residence and the cathedral. The city also is the site of a university, with an astronomical observatory, and it has a botanical garden and a military hospital. It is the headquarters for the British fleet in the Mediterranean Population in 1901, 61,268.