Location:
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
Area - comparative: Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline: Maritime claims:
Climate: Terrain: Elevation extremes:
Natural resources: Land use:
Irrigated land: Total renewable water resources: Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Environment - current issues: Environment - international agreements:
Geography - note:
total:
316 sq km
country comparison to the world: 208
land:
316 sq km
water:
0 sq km
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]
196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
territorial sea:
12 nm
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
25 nm
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
More Climate Details
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
limestone, salt, arable land
arable land:
28.12%
permanent crops:
4.06%
other:
67.81% (2011)
32 sq km (2007)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
0.05 cu km (2011)
[see also: Total renewable water resources country ranks ]
total:
0.05 cu km/yr (64%/1%/35%)
per capita:
134.1 cu m/yr (2009)
limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination
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
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