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 - 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