Malta is comparatively low lying, the highest point being about 239 m (785 ft) above sea level. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The mean temperature is 19° C (66° F). Average annual rainfall is about 560 mm (22 in). Increasing pressure from industry and continuing growth in tourism are placing a severe strain on Malta’s water resources. The country relies upon expensive seawater desalinization facilities for expanding the water supply, despite significant losses of water from leakage and wasteful agricultural applications. Recent attempts to reform water-pricing structures have failed to reflect the resource’s true scarcity.

Location:   

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy).

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, just 93 km south of Sicily, the Maltese archipelago basically consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The largest island of the group is Malta, from which the archipelago takes its name. Valletta, the capital, is the cultural, administrative and commercial centre of the archipelago. Malta is well served with harbours, chief of which is the Valletta Grand Harbour. Malta's international airport Luqa is situated five kilometres from the capital.

The second largest island, Gozo is topographically quite different from Malta. Quaintly attractive for its less industrialised way of life, Gozo can be reached from Malta by ferry-boat from Cirkewwa and Pieta, near Valletta, and by helicopter from the airport.Comino, Cominotto, Filfla and Selmunett (St. Paul's Islet) are the other major features of the archipelago. Of these, only Comino, straddled between Malta and Gozo, sustains a very tiny population. Turned into a popular resort because of a couple of very fine beaches, Comino can be reached from Cirkewwa, either by boat or by excursion ferries during the summer months.

The distance between Malta and the nearest point in Sicily is 93 km. The distance from the nearest point on the North African mainland (Tunisia) is 288 km. Gibraltar is 1,826 km to the west and Alexandria is 1,510 km to the east.

This strategic position has allowed Malta to develop as an important trading post. The Malta Freeport is one of the Mediterranean's leading ports for container transshipments.

Geographic coordinates:

Northern Latitude 36°00'00"

Eastern Longitude 14°36'00"

Map references:

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).

The coastline of Malta is well indented, thus providing numerous harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. The length of the shoreline round Malta is 196 km, and 56 km round 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 with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

It is the climate, more than anything else, that has made Malta an important tourist resort in the centre of the Mediterranean. The total annual rainfall is about 50cm (20 ins). The average winter temperature is 12°C (54°F.) There are really only two seasons in Malta: the dry summer season, and the mild winter season. The average rainfall is 578 mm (22.756 ins). Rain rarely, if ever, falls during the summer months.

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).

Malta has no mountains or rivers. A series of low hills with terraced fields on the slopes characterise the Island.

Natural resources:

Limestone, salt, arable land.

Land use:

Arable land: 28.13%

Permanent crops: 3.13%

Other: 68.74% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

N/A

Environment - current issues:

Very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination.

You will not find many different kinds of plants and animals on the islands. Most of the landscape is covered with "macchia", some kind of bush.

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.

Environment:

The Maltese coastline has a number of bays, rocky coves, impressive cliffs and some sandy beaches. Only four percent of the island is covered with forests and woodland and just over thirty percent is arable land. Over the years terraces have been cut into the hillsides to grow crops.The Maltese soil is poor and the island suffers from a lack of water. Nonetheless Malta has many thriving family farms and vineyards. The island has many species of wildflowers and trees include the almond, fig, olive and the evergreen oak. Malta has a variety of birds and over two hundred species have been recorded in the Ghadira nature reserve. The wetlands of the Ghadira reserve are also the home to many species of plants and small animals.

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.