Location Map of Malta
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

LOCATION : Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES : 35 50 N, 14 35 E

MAP REFERENCES : Europe

AREA TOTAL : 316 sq km

LAND : 316 sq km

WATER : 0 sq km

AREA - COMPARATIVE : slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

LAND BOUNDARIES : 0 km

COASTLINE : 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

MARITIME CLAIMS : contiguous zone: 24 NM

CONTINENTAL SHELF : 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

EXCLUSIVE FISHING ZONE : 25 NM

TERRITORIAL SEA : 12 NM

CLIMATE : Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

TERRAIN : mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

ELEVATION EXTREMES : lowest point - Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point - Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

NATURAL RESOURCES : limestone, salt, arable land

LAND USE : arable land: 32%; permanent crops: 3%; permanent pastures: 0%; forests and woodland: 4%

OTHER : 61% (2000 est.)

IRRIGATED LAND : 11.45 sq km (2000 est.)

NATURAL HAZARDS : NA

ENVIRONMENT : current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

ENVIRONMENT : international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

SIGNED, BUT NOT RATIFIED : Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

GEOGRAPHY - NOTES : the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration.