Geography of Malta
| 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: | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |