Malta:
Geography

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People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began to use the euro as currency in 2008.

Location	Definition Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates	Definition 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references	Definition Europe
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims	Definition 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	Definition Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain	Definition mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources	Definition limestone, salt, arable land
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources	Definition 0.07 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)	Definition total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards	Definition NA
Environment - current issues	Definition limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements	Definition 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
Geography - note	Definition 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