| Location | Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) |
|
| Geographic coordinates | 35 50 N, 14 35 E |
|
| Zone | Europe |
|
| Area | total: 316 sq km
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
|
| Land boundaries | 0 km |
|
| Coastline | 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) |
|
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm |
|
| Climate | Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; 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 |
|
| Irrigated land | 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) |
|
| 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, 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 |
|
