Strategic Geographical Position

Located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily, the Maltese archipelago basically consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Their total population in 2000 was 397,499.

The largest island in the group is Malta, from which the archipelago takes its name. In 2000, it had a population of just over 397,499. Vallette, the capital, is the cultural, administrative and commercial centre of the archipelago. Malta is well served with harbours, chief of which is the Valletta Grand Harbor. Malta's International Airport is situated five kilometers from the capital.

The second largest island, Gozo is topographically quite different from Malta. Quaintly attractive for its less industrialised way of life, Gozo can be reached from Malta by ferryboat from Cirkewwa and Pieta, near Valletta, and by helicopter from the airport.

Comino, Cominotto, Filfla and St Paul's Islet are the other major features of the archipelago. Of these, only Comino, straddled between Malta and Gozo, sustains a very tiny population. Turned into a popular resort because of a couple of very fine beaches, Comino can be reached from Cirkewwa, either by boat or by excursion ferries during the summer months.

Position: The distance between Malta and the nearest point in Sicily is 93km. The distance from the nearest point on the North African mainland (Tunisia) is 288km to the west and Alexandria is 1,510km to the east.

This strategic position has allowed Malta to develop as an important trading post. The Malta Freeport is one of the Mediterranean's leading ports for container transshipments.

The Maltese Islands fall within the following co-ordinates:
Northern Latitude 36°00'00"
Eastern Longitude 14°36'00"

Area of the Maltese Islands: 316km2

Physical Features: Malta has no mountains or rivers. A series of low hills with terraced fields on the slopes characterise the island.

The coastline of Malta is well indented, thus providing numerous harbors, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. The length of the shoreline round Malta is 136km, and 43km round Gozo.

Climate: It is the climate, more than anything else that has made Malta a tourist resort in the centre of the Mediterranean. The total annual rainfall is about 50cm (20ins). The average winter temperature is 12°C (54°F.). There are really only two seasons in Malta: the dry season, and the mild winter season. The average rainfall is 578mm (22.756 ins). Rain rarely, if ever, falls during summer months.

Local time: One hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +01:00).