one of the Maltese islands, in the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Malta to the southeast and Gozo to the northwest by narrow channels. It has an area of 1 square mile (3 square km). Comino was the site of a fortress of the Knights of Malta (Hospitalers, or Knights of St. John of Jerusalem); a tower (1618) of the fortress survives. Beeswax, honey, and grapes are produced, and goats and sheep are raised. Pop. (1990 est.) 1,790.