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
water: 0 sq km
land: 316 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
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 25 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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: 31%
permanent crops: 3%
other: 66% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note 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

NOTE: The information regarding Malta on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Malta Geography 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Malta Geography 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.