Malfa is a comune

Comune

In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...

(municipality) on the island of Salina

Salina Island

Salina is an island in the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, southern Italy. It is the second largest island in the archipelago.Salina is divided between three comuni: Santa Marina on the eastern coast, Malfa to the north, and Leni to the south-west. From Leni down towards the sea are the villages...

, one of the islands of Isole Eolie also known in the English language as Aeolian Islands

Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands or Lipari Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, named after the demigod of the winds Aeolus. The locals residing on the islands are known as Eolians . The Aeolian Islands are a popular tourist destination in the summer, and attract up to...

, in the Province of Messina

Province of Messina

Messina is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Messina.-Geography and demography :...

 in the Italian

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 region Sicily

Sicily

Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...

, located about 140 km northeast of Palermo

Palermo

Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...

 and about 80 km northwest of Messina.

Malfa derived its name from Amalfi (near Naples). In the 12th century some families established their lives in Malfa on the island of Salina.

The island of Salina is one of seven the Eolian islands. Salina is also the greenest of the seven islands. The main economic activities are agriculture, tourism and fishing. Cultivated products are grapes, capers, olives, figs and pricklypears.

Malfa is famous for producing and exporting the sweet white wine, Malvasia. The fertile soil produces tons of capers for export.

Malfa celebrates the festival of San Lorenzo (Patron Saint of Malfa) on August 10 each year, with a street parade, music and fireworks.

As of September 2011, Malfa has a population of 943 and an area of 8.9 km².

All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat

ISTAT

ISTAT may refer to:* International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading, an aircraft standards organization.* Istituto Nazionale di Statistica, the Italian National Institute of Statistics....

. Many tourists from mainland Italy and foreign countries, especially Australia, visit Malfa during the Summer months. There are various small hotels and B&Bs.

During the last century, many Malfitani migrated to mostly Australia and a lesser degree to the USA. The Italian and Australian flags can be seen waving in the wind at the Malfa Municipal Office.

Malfa borders the following municipalities: Leni

Leni

Leni is a comune and one of the main towns on Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands. It is situated in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 140 km northeast of Palermo and about 70 km northwest of Messina...

, Santa Marina Salina

Santa Marina Salina

Santa Marina Salina is a comune and one of the main towns on Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands. It is situated in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 140 km northeast of Palermo and about 70 km northwest of Messina...

.

The other six Aeolian Islands

Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands or Lipari Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, named after the demigod of the winds Aeolus. The locals residing on the islands are known as Eolians . The Aeolian Islands are a popular tourist destination in the summer, and attract up to...

 are Lipari

Lipari

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily, and the name of the island's main town. It has a permanent population of 11,231; during the May–September tourist season, its population may reach up to 20,000....

, Stromboli

Stromboli

Stromboli is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, containing one of the three active volcanoes in Italy. It is one of the eight Aeolian Islands, a volcanic arc north of Sicily. This name is a corruption of the Ancient Greek name Strongulē which was given to it...

, Vulcano

Vulcano

thumb| The Gran Cratere. A sense of scale is provided by the tourist visible near the centre of the crater.thumb|right|250px|View of Vulcano from the island of Lipari. The green islet centre left is Vulcanello, which is connected to Vulcano by an isthmus...

, Panarea

Panarea

Panarea is the second smallest of the eight Aeolian Islands, a volcanic island chain north of Sicily. It is a frazione of the comune of Lipari. There are currently about 280 residents living on the island year-round; however the population increases dramatically in summer with the influx of...

, Filicudi

Filicudi

Filicudi is one of eight islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, situated 20–30 miles northeast of the island of Sicily. It is a frazione of the comune of Lipari.-Geography:...

 and Alicudi

Alicudi

Alicudi is the westernmost of the eight islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, a volcanic island chain north of Sicily. The island is about 40 km west of Lipari, has a total area of 5.2 km², and is roughly circular-shaped. It is located at ....

. The islands were formed millions of years ago by a volcanic eruption. The last eruption took place in 10,000 BC from a crater near the village.