(anciently Melita), an island of the Adriatic, off the coast of Dalmatia, from which it is about 3 miles distant, and 17 W.N.W. of Ragusa. Length 23 miles; breadth 4 miles. The island contains lofty mountains of a bare and dry aspect; and there are also some fertile but not well cultivated valleys, producing corn, wine, vegetables, and fruits. Sheep, goats, bees, and silk-worms are reared in large numbers and with considerable care. The coast is irregular, and contains numerous harbours, one of which, Palazzo, on the N. of the island, is reckoned the best in Dalmatia. Meleda has been supposed by some to be the scene of the shipwreck of St Paul; but this opinion is now very generally abandoned in favour of the modern Malta. Pop. 900.