Geography of Malta
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{{CIA}}
[[Image:Satelite image of Malta.jpg|thumb|200px|Satellite image of Malta]]
[[Image:Map of Malta 2.png|right|200px|]]
[[Image:Malta-CIA WFB Map.png|right|Map of Malta]]
The '''[[geography]] of [[Malta]]''' is dominated by water. Malta is an [[archipelago]] of [[coralline limestone]], located in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], approximately 93 kilometres south of [[Sicily]], [[Italy]], and approximately 300 km north of [[Africa]]. Only the three largest islands -- [[Malta Island|Malta]], [[Gozo Island|Gozo]] and [[Comino Island|Comino]] -- are inhabited. Other (uninhabited) islands are: [[Cominotto]], [[Filfla]] and the [[St.Paul's Islands]]. The country is approximately 316 km² in area. Numerous [[Headlands and bays|bay]]s along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape of the islands is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. The highest point, at 253 metres, is the [[Ta' Dmejrek]] on Malta Island. The capital is [[Valletta]].
'''[[Geographic coordinates]]:'''
{{coor dm|35|50|N|14|35|E|type:country}}
'''Map references:'''
Europe
'''Area:'''
<br>''total:''
316 km²
<br>''land:''
316 km²
<br>''water:''
0 km²
'''Area - comparative:'''
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
'''Land boundaries:'''
0 km
'''Coastline:'''
140 km
'''Maritime claims:'''
<br>''contiguous zone:''
24 [[nautical mile]]s (44 km)
<br>''continental shelf:''
200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
<br>''exclusive fishing zone:''
25 nautical miles (46 km)
<br>''territorial sea:''
12 nautical miles (22 km)
'''Climate:'''
Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
'''Terrain:'''
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
'''Elevation extremes:'''
<br>''lowest point:''
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
<br>''highest point:''
Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
'''Natural resources:'''
limestone, salt, arable land
'''Land use:'''
<br>''arable land:''
38%
<br>''permanent crops:''
3%
<br>''permanent pastures:''
0%
<br>''forests and woodland:''
0%
<br>''other:''
59% (1993 est.)
'''Irrigated land:'''
10 km² (1993 est.)
'''Natural hazards:'''
NA
'''Environment - current issues:'''
very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination, the slaughter of migratory birds on migration during unregulated hunting
'''Environment - international agreements:'''
<br>''party to:''
Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
<br>''signed, but not ratified:''
Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
==See also==
* [[Malta]]
{{Malta Islands}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
[[Category:Geography of Malta| ]]
[[de:Malta (Insel)]]
[[es:Geografía de Malta]]
[[fr:Malte (île)]]
[[mt:Ġeografija ta' Malta]]
[[no:Maltas geografi]]
[[nn:Maltesisk geografi]]
[[pl:Malta (wyspa)]]
[[pt:Geografia de Malta]]
[[ro:Geografia Maltei]]
[[sq:Gjeografia e Shteteve - Malta]]