a republic. Over the last 15 years, the
island has become a major freight transshipment point, financial
center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU
membership.

Malta Geography

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

Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington,
DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

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.)

Natural hazards: NA

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

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

Malta People

Population: 394,583 (July 2001 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062)

15-64 years: 67.49% (male 133,914; female 132,402)

65 years and over: 12.53% (male 20,643; female 28,771) (2001 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.74% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: 12.75 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net mi