Geography
Malta
Area
land
316 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
316 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain
predominantly low-lying, rocky terrain with flat to dissected plains; numerous coastal cliffs
Land use
other
66.4% (2023 est.)
forest
1.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
25.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 22.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Location
Located in Southern Europe, the islands in the Mediterranean Sea are situated south of Sicily (Italy)
Coastline
196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
Elevation
lowest point
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point
Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m
Irrigated land
39 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone
25 nm
Natural hazards
periodic occurrences of drought
Geography - note
the nation is an archipelago, with only its three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being populated; many bays offer excellent harbors
Natural resources
consists of limestone, salt, and cultivable land
Area - comparative
approximately less than twice the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the eastern part of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands