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- Saint Raphael Lake (San Raflu) is a small rural area just outside the locality of Kerċem, at the south-west of the island of Gozo. The area is approximately 148 m (486 ft) above sea level, and 350 m (1,150 ft) (vertical distance) away from the sea. The area is surrounded by two of the most important bays in Gozo; the Dwejra Bay to the northwest, and the to the southeast. The area is situated on layers of Upper, Middle and Lower Globigerina limestone (Maltese: Franka ta’ Fuq, tan-Nofs u ta’ Taħt), which make up the base of the whole San Raflu area. However, one also finds traces of Coralline limestone rock, which also makes up the Xlendi Cliffs. The high amount of limestone in the area also influences the soil, which is mainly xerorendzinas, a main characteristic of the Globigerina areas. In fact, this soil is a compound of the Globigerina limestone, the greensand, and several other organic material, and has very high levels of stone and chalk content, whilst keeping a very low level of humus. This type of soil is mostly common in the southern parts of Gozo, but however, it is still considered widespread around the island. (en)
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