Geography of Malta
Location
Set in the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. The Maltese archipelago consists of seven islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, together with four other uninhabited islands Cominetto, Filfa, and two St. Paul's Islands. Situated in Southern Europe, 93 km (58 mi) off the South coast of Sicily (Italy); it is located in the Mediterranean Sea, giving the country a warm, Mediterranean climate. The Maltese islands are the most southerly European country.
Population:400,000 (Approximate)
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
Climate and Terrain
Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative center. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterized by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely uninhabited.
Area - comparative : slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Coastline : 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims : territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
contiguous zone : 24 nautical miles (44 km)
continental shelf : 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone : 25 nautical miles (46 km)
territorial sea : 12 nautical miles (22 km)
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
Land use : arable land: 31.25%
permanent crops : 3.13%
other : 65.62% (2005)
Irrigated land : 20 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards : NA
Environment
Current issues : Very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination.
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.
Source material - Bartleby, Wikipedia
