| Location: |
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
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| Geographic coordinates: |
35 50 N, 14 35 E
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| Area: |
total:
316 sq km
land:
316 sq km
water:
0 sq km
|
| 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: |
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.)
|
| 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
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| 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
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